How to Test Ride a Horse
- 1). Saddle and bridle the horse yourself and see how he behaves. How a horse treats you on the ground is as important as how he treats you under saddle. You want a horse that is respectful and safe while being handled.
- 2). Have the current owner ride the horse first while you watch. This can help you see how the horse handles under saddle with his regular rider. It's a great safety precaution. If the current owner can't ride, then lunge the horse before getting on. Lunging the horse first will allow you a chance to look at how the horse moves, and allow it to burn off some excess energy before you get on. This may not be necessary for an older, seasoned horse, but it never hurts to be careful.
- 3). Ride in an arena or round pen. Use a mounting block, and then throughout your ride, try to mount and dismount without a mounting block. Try mounting off the fence rail, to check his versatility.
- 4). Ride the horse at a walk, trot and canter. See how easily he responds to leg pressure, how sensitive he is to cues with your hands, legs and seat. The horse should move easily from gait to gait, and should stop and stand when you ask.
- 5). Take the horse out on the trail, with the current owner on another horse, if possible. Be sure to ride near cars and traffic. Take him through all his gaits and make sure he listens and keeps you safe. See how the horse reacts when the owner rides off and leaves you two alone on the trail. You want a horse that does well by himself.
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