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Prerequisites of Safer Training

The trainer must have a clear understanding and sound knowledge of Basic Handling and Riding Skills, Horse Care, and the correct Gear & Equipment before they proceed.

You need to be able to lead a horse reasonably proficiently, you must have a independent and secure seat when riding and you must be able to ride on a loose rein without needing to hang on to the reins to maintain your balance. You should also be able to maintain still legs during rising and sitting trot and during canter, without resorting to gripping.

You should have a good understanding of trot diagonals and canter leads before you attempt to train a horse. You need to know when you are trotting on the correct diagonal so that you can change diagonals regularly and build up the muscles in the horse’s back evenly.  It is very difficult to train a horse to canter on the correct lead if you don't know if you are on the correct lead. If you do not have these skills (independent seat, trot diagonals, canter leads) you need to have lessons from an experienced instructor.’

Also only train in good safe facilities. The trainer must never ask too much of themselves or too much of the horse, this will only slow the learning curve. Sometimes the horse will learning quickly and at other times they may take sometime to learn what is being taught.The horse will pick up on any frustration or anxiety from the trainer - patience is essential.

Reference: Horse Training, Steve Brady's Formula for Success