And here's where I would suggest applying horse whispering/natural horsemanship training techniques in a very clear step by step program, which you can learn more about in my DVD set, the Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System, and you can order that here: CLICK HERE

After watching the videos, and after learning and applying the methods, you, as the horse's primary teacher will have taught the horse:

• How to be bonded to you more deeply so that the horse trusts you to the max and the horse will be far more willing to do whatever you ask, even when they are in doubt;
• That you both have a "bonding place" (a "safety zone") to come back to always, from then on, if the horse is ever upset or afraid, on the ground (or later, in the saddle); we plant a one-rein stop in the foundation of every horse, on the ground first, so that in the saddle, it is automatic. This keeps you safer and the horse more rational, and feeling supported, bonded, connected more deeply emotionally to you.
• How to relax the horse when they are tense about something before they are called upon to react negatively.
• How to have the horse yield easily, in any direction when asked -- they'll learn how to yield properly to pressure to receive the release of pressure. All horses learn from the release of pressure what it is you want, not from the pressure itself;
• How to progress bonding to even deeper levels to the point of downright intimacy; makes a horse feel like he never had it so good being with you!
• How to move the horse from the rear, and them learning to do that rationally, which is so important to teach a horse to do before you ever ride them, and which you'll be using for a lot of other things like trailer loading, going in and out of a gate, into a stall, and so many other places/situations; this also teaches a horse that you are in charge of their feet.
• How to address effectively any fears (and the horse's reactions to them) that you flush out in their behavior at any given time; my program focuses greatly on finding the fears before they find you and fixing them -- safely on the ground first! Even lay folks can do this. It's all about: safety. This then builds a far more rational, confident, trusting, happy horse, because, in essence, you have effectively raised the horse's "fear/anxiety bar." And you will have taught them simultaneously in the process, how to turn to you for nurturance support when/if they are ever afraid or upset.
• How to do all this first on the ground, then later in the saddle, in that order.
• How to keep you safe and the horse safe at all times, throughout all of this --- always my biggest training focus!

This video set will help you to lay down an even stronger, more solid and trusting foundation under your horse that will then serve you well, tremendously, actually, when you do step up into the saddle. By the time you complete the steps, you will have a transformed horse, and a transformed self, because you will have built confidence in yourself as well, step by step. The final steps are in the saddle and those exercises will more deeply plant into your horse's foundation the one-rein stop/the "safety zone," and more, that will turn the horse into a far, far more rational, trusting, happier -- and safer -- horse in saddle as well.

And you can do this yourself if you just back up and learn a few things yourself there. This video set will get you there the fastest with your horse, which is why I'm recommending this route. It's designed for anyone on any level, horse or human, to get professional trainer-like results.

And incidentally...my Whispering Way Complete Training Package contains all my videos and training tools that you need to train or retrain your horse yourself the natural horsemanship Whispering Way. You can check out/order the Whispering Way Complete Training Package on my web site here: CLICK HERE

I'm a very strong believer that every horse owner is their horse's primary teacher/trainer whether they realize it or not. Every time you are with your horse, that horse is learning something. You just want to make sure they're learning what you want them to learn, not what you don't want them to learn! Natural horsemanship training techniques are gentle, effective, and powerful. Works with every horse every time!

But it's real important to back up and break down all teaching steps in a way that you are releasing baby-gives, allowing the horse to feel the release for the right answers incrementally, so that they learn that's really what you want.

I do strongly feel that the program I teach is going to help you tremendously there, making your horse the calmer, rational horse that you envision him being, while the program simultaneously builds stronger and stronger confidence in you for handling him as well. The opposite of fear is: confidence (remember that for both you and your horse). And we gain new confidence via: education -- the right information in front of you at the right time. I help new horse owners every day and I know what specific education helps them the most to replace fears with confidence. This program is your ticket out of the "uncalm/fear spot," rest assured.

Furthermore, here are some excellent articles on overcoming fear of horses and fear of riding horses (and see the sidebar to the left on this page for good books):

Overcoming Fear: Becoming a Confident Rider By Martha McNiel

Cowboy Bob's Tips for Overcoming Fear of Riding

Overcoming Riding Fears By Faith Meredith
 

Don't hesitate to work with a trainer or riding instructor, especially a natural horsemanship trainer who specializes in helping the rider work through fears. Any trainer who tries to push you past your comfort level prematurely or who even ridicules you for your fears, WALK AWAY FROM THEM! And get one who will work with you empathetically and at your own comfortable pace. Good natural horsemanship trainers follow a "take your watch off philosophy" with the horse and with the owner/rider/handler and follow the natural rhythm of each.

One last link on my site that I think might help you there -- to learn a little more about natural horsemanship and prey animal psychology in general -- my "What is Natural Horsemanship?" link here:

http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/WhatIsNH.html

I hope this helps, and let me know if I can be of any further help to you there. Good luck to ya! Stay safe! And thanks again for writing.

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