After building a good foundation on your horse with groundwork (*see bottom of page for references), your horse may be ready to carry a rider.

For a young horse, it takes a while for him to be able to move and carry a rider. He needs to get used to it; to build up his muscles. Take it easy at first. Make the sessions short and rewarding.

The following are some pictures of a young horse being started by David Lee Archer (website):

Haltering with a rope halter.


Pre-ride check:
Ask your horse to move his hindquarters,
both directions.




Lateral flexion, both sides.




Pick up the feet.




Lean on the horse.




Add more weight.


And a little more.




Be ready to go with the horse if he walks off.


Have a helper if necessary.








End on a good note!

* Foundation Training / GroundWork:

• PNH 7 games,
• Dorrance exercises,
• Line driving,
• Clicker training,
• TTEAM
• Lyons groundwork
• or methods by additional good trainers such as David Lee Archer, Buck Brannaman, Mark Rashid, Clinton Anderson, etc.