- 1). Establish a friendly relationship with the horse by rubbing it all over its body and scratching it gently. This allows the horse to trust you.
- 2). Back off if the horse objects to the touch before slowly returning to it to get the horse comfortable with contact. Progress to rubbing the horse with objects like ropes and bridles to get it used to them. Spend five minutes per day with the horse on this step.
- 3). Teach the horse to yield to pressure, which can take months to teach. Use pressure to try to lower its head, and don't stop giving pressure until it submits, even if it takes a few minutes. Progress to other areas of the body, such as the shoulder, barrel and legs. Spend five minutes per day with the horse on this step as well.
- 4). Teach the horse to back away on cue. Stand about three feet in front of the horse and face it while holding the lead rope, which should have a little slack. Point at the horse and wiggle the rope gently. If it doesn't walk backward, wiggle the rope more vigorously. Keep ratcheting up the movement until it responds. Once it does, pet and praise it.
- 5). Train the horse to respect your personal space. Stand in front of it and wiggle the rope, asking it to back at least 10 feet away from you. If the horse starts to walk toward you without your telling it to do so, ask it to back up again. Turn away or step to the side to test the horse, and if it moves toward you, correct it again. Once the horse shows it can obey, give it a cue to step forward into your space respectfully. Keep practicing this over and over until it respects your commands consistently.
- 6). Avoid physical reprimands, if possible. Aggressive physical contact may provoke the horse. If you must be physical, continue reprimanding the horse until it withdraws from you. If you stop the correction before the horse submits, it'll think that you've "lost" and may become even more aggressive.
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