| After you have done all the necessary ground work | | | | standing still the rub him to let him know great job. Stick |
| to prepare a horse for riding. Don't make the mistake | | | | your foot back in this time and bounce on one foot |
| of thinking that you need to get on right away. Trust | | | | putting a little weight in the stirrup 1...2...3...4... like you're |
| me you can wreck everything real quick and have to | | | | about to climb up then stop... wait a couple of seconds |
| start all over again depending on the horse. Actually | | | | and do it again. Remember don't preceded further with |
| the more ground work you do with the saddle on the | | | | an exercise if your horse is not showing you that he is |
| easier it will be to get on successfully in the long run. | | | | relaxed, every horse is gonna be different. Next put |
| I've heard old guys say aww cowboy go on and get | | | | your foot in the stirrup bounce then stand in the stirrup |
| on. Nope not me I'll wait and take my time with my | | | | for about 5 seconds then step down repeat this with |
| horse I'll get on when I think he's ready not when I think | | | | each time standing a little longer. When he's relaxed |
| I'm ready. Preparation is the key, the more time you | | | | with this exercise then move on. This time when you |
| take the better. You'll know when your horse is ready | | | | stand in the stirrup lean gently over the saddle and rub |
| because he'll tell with his body language. He wont be | | | | him on the shoulder, neck and back to the hindquarters |
| skittish or nervous he be standing still with his hind leg in | | | | then step down and repeat the steps again. Now go |
| a relaxed position like there's not a care in the world | | | | to the right side of your horse and to all the exercises |
| with both ears and eyes on you. | | | | again. What you do on one side you have to do it on |
| When you decide your horse is ready make sure he's | | | | the other. |
| standing square so you don't cause him to be out of | | | | Once you have done this ground preparation and you |
| balance when getting on. Again make preparation stick | | | | feel your horse is relaxed and comfortable with all the |
| one foot in the stirrup on the left side an then take it | | | | exercises then I think its safe to say you can get on. I |
| out ( watch your horse) Stick your foot in again a lil bit | | | | will give more details in my next segment. |
| longer this time and see how your horse reacts if he's | | | | |