

If you are able to give the horse exercise, this is another huge plus both mentally and physically. If your horse must stay alone, it’s important to take measures to reduce boredom by providing them with plenty of activities – things like puzzles and toys filled with treats can help keep their minds engaged while also providing enrichment opportunities too. Studies have shown that they develop relationships with one another, create hierarchies among themselves, and seek companionship when possible. Horses and ponies are herd animals who are naturally social animals and enjoy the company of others. This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on a variety of factors. Simply, the answer to whether horses are easy to train comes from what skillset and experience you and the horse bring to the table and the chemistry you form as a partnership. Horses and ponies respond superbly to positive reinforcement because of their high intelligence. Horses might be animals that are eager to please, yet you need to remember they are unbelievably sensitive flight creatures who need time to build trust and a bond with you. Be it halter training or ground manners, to more complex dressage or showjumping techniques.

If you are planning to train a horse or pony yourself, you have to be honest about your own limitations and when you need the help of a more qualified trainer.Īs much as the quality of training is more important than the time spent, it is still vital that whoever is training the horse or pony is willing to commit ample time to teach the horse what you want them to learn. You cannot expect a horse to learn any skill if the person teaching doesn’t have a complete understanding of what they are asking, how they are asking, and why they are asking that of the horse.

The most important aspect is the quality and experience of the person responsible for training the horse or pony. Understanding this is the first step on the journey into moulding your horse or pony. To achieve successful results, it is essential to approach a horse's training with patience and respect - understanding their needs, abilities and limitations.Įven though horses and ponies can be trained to do many jobs, it is important to consider that each individual has their own personality and set of attributes that build up a profile of what discipline(s) they might be suitable for. Horses possess an incredibly trainable attitude, depending on the individual animal and the type of training employed.
