For seasoned equestrians and horse trainers, few activities offer the unique blend of purpose, connection, and pure enjoyment quite like working a horse from the back of another. This method of training, where a “saddle horse” assists in the education of a “client’s horse,” provides a multitude of benefits that extend beyond mere task completion. It’s a practice that fosters a deep partnership between horse and rider, and when executed correctly, can be incredibly rewarding for all involved.
The allure of this training technique lies in its multifaceted advantages. Firstly, it grants the saddle horse a meaningful role, transforming a potentially mundane activity into an engaging task. Secondly, it offers the rider a valuable opportunity to connect with and refine their own horse’s responsiveness and skills. Thirdly, and crucially for the client’s horse, it cultivates a quiet and well-mannered demeanor when in close proximity to another equine. For those with more experience in the saddle, a fifth, yet equally important, benefit emerges: reduced physical exertion and strain on the body. Ultimately, however, the most compelling reason is the sheer enjoyment derived from this collaborative form of training.
The inherent value in teaching horses to be proficient saddle horses for working with others cannot be overstated. Unlike many repetitive equestrian tasks, such as endless circles in a dressage arena or the focused patterns of reining, working alongside another horse can ignite a profound level of engagement in the saddle horse. This heightened focus stems from a genuine willingness within the horse, a quality also observed in those that relish working with cows or playing polo. This shared enthusiasm creates a dynamic that is often less apparent in more solitary disciplines. The ideal scenario in this type of training is a symbiotic relationship, where the rider and saddle horse achieve a state of “oneness,” essentially becoming a centaur, where the horse’s movements intuitively translate the rider’s intentions. This ultimate connection, however, is the culmination of dedicated training and time.
The foundation for this harmonious partnership is built upon mastering one-handed riding, with neck reining being a primary skill. Neck reining involves using the outside rein to apply gentle pressure to the horse’s neck, encouraging them to bend inwards and execute a balanced turn. For instance, a left turn is initiated by guiding the reins, held in a single hand, to the left. When the right rein makes contact with the right side of the horse’s neck, the horse naturally flexes its head and body to the left, completing the turn. Once this fundamental skill is well-established, the next step is teaching the horse to move laterally in response to the rider’s leg cues. This lateral movement is vital for maintaining subtle control and requires the horse to respond with both inside and outside bends. The rider should be able to direct specific parts of the horse’s body, such as the hindquarters or forehand, or both simultaneously, with precision.
The essence of training a superior saddle horse lies in cultivating finesse. This often means teaching the horse to precisely move a single foot – be it a hind or front foot, or both – and then stop, all with minimal rider effort. The speed of these movements can range from a glacial pace to an almost instantaneous reaction, akin to the shattering of glass from a sonic boom. These advanced maneuvers should be achievable with an almost imperceptible cue from the rider.
In my experience, two primary factors can detrimentally affect a saddle horse’s development. The first is insufficient confidence, which can lead to hesitation or fear when working with other horses. The second is an overabundance of eagerness, where the saddle horse becomes overly assertive or aggressive towards a younger or less experienced horse. Both issues are fundamentally linked to inadequate preparation. I once made the mistake of introducing a young, impressionable horse to a highly dominant horse too early. Consequently, that horse became limited to working only with much quieter animals thereafter.
I’ve discovered that the most effective way to introduce a horse to working with others is to first ensure that essential elements like focus, clarity, and softness are firmly ingrained in their basic responses to commands such as stopping, going, turning, lateral movements, and responsiveness. Once these fundamentals are solid, the process of working with other horses can commence.
A beneficial starting point is to lead or “pony” a quiet horse from your saddle horse. Ideally, the two horses should already be acquainted and display a friendly disposition towards each other. Begin by leading from your saddle horse on both the left and right sides, incorporating numerous turns both towards and away from the led horse. Aim for smooth transitions in stops and forward movements. This phase is critical for addressing any instances where your saddle horse begins to deviate from your guidance. For example, if the horse stops responding to your cues and starts attempting to direct the other horse, or exhibits aggression, it’s imperative to interrupt this behavior immediately. Temporarily disregard the horse on the lead rope and focus entirely on educating your saddle horse, preventing it from becoming dominant.
Conversely, if your saddle horse displays anxiety or fear, a simpler approach might be necessary. Teach it that the other horse will move away when approached. You may need to use a whip, flag, or hand gesture to encourage the leading horse to move, but if it retreats when you ride towards it, your saddle horse will gradually gain confidence. This exercise can also be performed at liberty, without a lead rope on the other horse. This allows you to create a greater distance between the two, ensuring your saddle horse feels secure.
As your horse’s confidence grows and its responsiveness to your cues increases, you can then teach it to “push” into the lead horse. In these initial stages, it’s crucial to use a quiet lead horse that is unlikely to kick or attack your saddle horse. Teach your saddle horse that it can approach and even nudge the other horse without fear of reprisal or attack.
Over time, this process will enhance both your saddle horse’s confidence and focus, enabling it to perform almost any task with a horse in training that you would typically execute from the ground. The saddle horse’s legs effectively become your own. It is an extraordinary sensation to anticipate the need to ask a training horse to perform an action, only to realize that as the thought forms, the horse beneath you is already preparing to execute it. I have experienced instances where a horse adamantly refused to move while I was on the ground, yet riding my saddle horse made the task almost effortless. I recall a young horse with a propensity for bolting on the lead rope, which humans struggled to control. My saddle horse proved instrumental in achieving a dramatic shift in that horse’s behavior. In another situation, a horse exhibited extreme fear when other horses approached. Within a short period, I had that horse cantering alongside my saddle horse, shoulder to shoulder.
It is important to acknowledge that not all horses are naturally suited to be saddle horses. Some possess temperaments that are too aggressive, while others may be excessively timid. In my observation, temperament serves as a more reliable indicator of a suitable saddle horse than size or breed. I have successfully trained large horses, such as 17hh mounts, from the back of a 14hh pony. I’ve also witnessed a 14.2hh Quarter Horse mare calmly assert dominance over a 16.3hh Clydesdale with a strong personality.
However, even if your horse doesn’t possess the ideal temperament for working with aggressive or strong-willed horses, there remains considerable educational value and enjoyment to be gained by teaching them to work with quieter individuals.
