5 Common Problems with Horse Training & How To Address Them Using Classical Riding Solutions

1.        Horse is unruly and rude on the ground.

2.        Horse is often on edge, unpredictable and/or “hot”.

3.        Horse is difficult to steer under saddle.

4.        Horse ignores and/or runs through the aids.

5.        Training progress has plateaued and may even be declining.

This represents some typical problems I come across in teaching and training students from all backgrounds and levels.  Classical riding theory and training methods trace back to the ancient Greek author, Xenophon, and expand to include the work and demonstration of many contributors or “masters” throughout history.  Overall, classical horsemanship seeks harmony and beauty in riding.  The grand goal being that the horse performs as effortlessly and willingly through all his gaits and movements as if no rider were there.  

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1.         Horse is unruly and rude on the ground.

All classical training originates from the precept of respect.  We must respect the horse, and the horse must respect us.  This is most often evident on the ground during basic activities such as leading, grooming and saddling.  The very first lesson in training is that the horse must never invade our personal space. Likewise, we must give the horse space as well and not hang all over him all the time.  Some horses love close contact with humans and others cannot stand it and need their space.  

While leading, it is important to give the horse a soft contact on the lead with a bit of distance.  It is also important to know the safety zones and stay within them while working around the horse.  The correct position is critical for groundwork and makes all the difference in success or failure with longing, work-in-hand and long reining.

The horse must learn to stand quietly and walk quietly with us, never leading, but following our lead.  If we place him in a spot, he needs to stay there until we ask him to move.

A horse that pushes into us with head or body is saying that we are number two (in a hierarchy of two) and can be made to move out of their way.  If you do not get this straightened out on the ground, it will translate to all other areas of the training.  And quite frankly, it is dangerous.  Many people think it is endearing to have a horse rub on them or push their head into their space.  This is NOT an act of affection.  You can initiate scratching and rubbing the horse, but you must never let the horse barge into your space and push on you.  Occupy your own spaces and respect each other.

                   Knowledge/skill sets: safety zones; placing the horse on “the wall”; force field bubbles with pushy horses; correct leading position and technique; correcting the shoulder position of the horse while leading; “nosey down” for calmness and focus; use of the bridle in groundwork; walk/halt exercise using specific patterns

2.       Horse is often on edge, unpredictable and/or “hot”.

The next important concept in classical riding is relaxation and calmness.  Some horses are very stressed, explosive and try to flee from things that excite or frighten them.  People often misinterpret this as an inherent quality of the horse and that they are just “hot”.  While it is true some horses are endowed with a livelier energy, tense, wild, and unpredictable behavior is ultimately not beneficial for the horse, the handler, or the rider. 

My teacher always called these horses as being “on nerves”.  Excitable, shying and explosive horses are stressed horses.  Unfortunately, there are many trainers who encourage this type of state to get a “big” performance out of their horses.  They see it as quite normal and almost relish riding the horse on this perilous edge of stress and “trigger stacking”.  What’s even worse, is they must often use forceful methods and abusive equipment to restrain and control the horse.

Horses in an excitable, unpredictable state are often experiencing discomfort and/or pain.  At the very least, they are lacking trust, do not understand what is expected of them and are literally trying to escape the training. 

In classical training we always start on groundwork first and exclusively until the horse develops relaxation, trust and the correct position and carriage.  A horse working correctly on the ground can release the stress, align their body correctly to build strength in their back and core and learn how to respond to our aids and requests.  This takes a calm and experienced hand and most importantly patience.

 You are the center to the relationship in all things classical, so your energy, focus and actions direct your results.  Consequently, we endeavor to always train from a calm, methodical and centered place.  Return to the foundational exercises and build from relaxation.   

                  Knowledge/skill sets:  breathing with the horse (up/down transitions); “nosey down” for focus; releasing the jaw through Baucher flexions; releasing the back and topline & developing core strength using longing and work-in-hand; evaluating soundness and physical issues that are causing pain; bodywork modalities for healing and relaxation; work at the walk/halt; shoulder-in for connecting,  balance and relaxation (in-hand and astride); correct “on the bit” position in lightness; correct use of riding position to enhance relaxation

3.        Horse is difficult to steer under saddle.

A horse that does not steer is often ridden by someone who has no sense of their own direction in the saddle.  You must always know where you want to go and direct the horse with your eyes and mind first.   Your body position is also critical. If you constitute yourself as the centaur, using classical equitation, it will be much easier to steer, regardless of the training of the horse.

The mind follows the eyes and so “looking in the direction of travel” is the first thing to start with when working on direction. Pay attention to where your eyes are focused and make sure your body center is aligned to the direction you want.  Stay light on the reins and only add extra aids or strength as needed. A braced back and/or legs in the rider always creates resistance in the horse and can impact your ability to be accurate with direction.

It is important to keep it simple and start at the walk.  Then you can move onto faster and more difficult movements.  Very often riders attempt maneuvers too quickly and with anxiety, perhaps with the sense that “if I go fast and push, I will make it happen”.  This never works.  Slow down, break down the movement into pieces and perform them slower before speeding them up. 

Horses that shy or refuse to go where you direct them should never be met with punishment. Start with the halt and face the direction you wish to travel. Then ask for one step at a time giving them as much time as needed, halting in between steps if they start to resist. It is important to encourage their positive reaction with patience, calmness and deep breaths. With this approach you can teach your horse to trust you more than any distraction and carry you in any direction or to any destination.

                  Knowledge/skill sets:  Walk/halt on the square; correct equitation including position of legs, hands, shoulders and hips; use of weight in riding corners and lateral movements; riding the horse “back to front”; feeling and influencing the placement of the hind legs with your position

4.        Horse ignores and/or runs through the aids.

If a horse disrespects or ignores the aids, then the rider/trainer is most often lacking knowledge of classical riding principles and the skill to apply them. Horses will always meet the level of their rider, regardless of whatever training they had before.  There is an old saying, “You are either making or breaking your horse’s training, each time you ride.”  This means that every ride matters and builds upon the future of your horse’s training.  One bad experience can knock your training back several paces.  Likewise, an excellent training session can help solidify your progress.There are several factors that are critical to having a horse respond to your requests.  First, the horse must understand what you want and be able to physically do what you are asking.  Second, your balance and position must be correct. And lastly, the aid for the movement must be applied skillfully and with the correct timing.

Very few people understand the physical needs of the horse to perform.  Much attention is given to stuff — saddles, bits and training aids — to achieve a favorable response but rarely do trainers look to the actual strength, position and balance of the horse which directly affects their ability to respond to an aid.  Consequently, force is employed instead which in turn causes horses to leave mentally and ignore or even “blow through” the aids.

Another common issue is the overuse of the aids.  For instance, constant kicking and heavy hands will cause dull mouths and “stuck” horses who ultimately “need” spurs and stronger bits. With correct application of the natural aids (hands, legs, seat, weight and voice) and discretionary use of the artificial aids such as the longe whip, horses can become light and beautifully responsive.  A good rule is to always start soft, increase pressure only if needed and stop the aid immediately after you ask.  Always give the horse a chance to respond before asking again or with stronger aids.

It is important that you recognize where you are lacking knowledge and skill in your riding.  Seek help and instruction from a classically trained professional, if possible.  At the very least, there are very excellent books and videos to give you some ideas and provide direction.  When things are difficult and your horse is not responding in the way you wish, do not be afraid to stop, reflect and retreat to do some homework before pushing harder on your horse.  Remember, “discretion is the better part of valor”. 

                  Knowledge/skill sets:  development of an independent, classical seat; correct hand position, leg position and use of weight; use of rein aids; development of correct, soft contact connected through rider’s back; correct use of aids in the various movements; “less is more” riding; use of visualization; “hand without leg, leg without hand”; use of breath and energy

5.        Training progress has plateaued and may even be declining.

Methodical and patiently applied classical principles progressively improve a horse’s training, physical strength and rideability.   There are always obstacles and pitfalls with training, but with perseverance we can usually find a way through to success.  Not all horses will achieve the pinnacle of performance, because just like humans they have personal idiosyncrasies and limitations.  However, nearly every horse can become a better citizen and partner and even greatly improve their performance.

Super talented horses are often exploited in their training and burn-out with devastating injuries.  The less talented horses are also pushed to their very limits sometimes, as well, and are very often misunderstood and abused when they “fail”.  Greed and vanity have driven much of the horse industry and it rarely acknowledges the harm it is inflicting upon these remarkable animals nor does it reflect a respect for the laws of nature. 

This is all very unnecessary.  Horses gain strength, athleticism, confidence and trust in their riders through the years of their training if done correctly.  When training takes a turn for the worse it is important to stop and analyze the situation.  Do not be so attached to techniques, methods or ideas that you are blind to their failings. We should always ask, “Is this working?”.   Also, never ignore the over-reaching results and long-term goals of the training: enjoyment for both horse and rider, soundness in body and mind, and ease of riding.

Correctly progressing the training of a horse is an art.  It requires an unshakeable devotion to principle and rationale.  Experience is critical as is an ability to stay open and abandon techniques that prove ineffective or even destructive.  And finally, it requires a mindful approach that sees the big picture as well as the intricacies of the daily struggles.  Masterful classical training embodies the motto, “festina lente”, or “make haste slowly”.  This is the quintessential principle that guides us to remain methodicaland patient through this amazing journey in developing our perfect partner.

                  Knowledge/skill sets:  the classical progression of training including what skills and abilities precede each movement or demand in performance; looking at the training from the horse’s point of view; insight and evaluation from body workers and medical professionals; personal work on your ego; meditation; seeking new information and ideas; opening to compassion and empathy; letting go of attachments to how things “should be”