How to Train a Horse to Lie Down for Mounting

Training a horse to lie down for mounting is not an easy thing to do, but with time and a lot of patience with the horse it can be done. You can give treats to the horse as you train him to urge him to lie down. You need to know the horse well, and he has to be able to trust you before he will lie down for you.

1. Take the horse to a large area where there is plenty of room for him to move around in. If he is in a closed space he will probably not lie down for you.


2. Praise the horse as you go through this training. This is not an easy task for him to learn so praise is well deserved. Watch the horse and see when he lies down on his own. For example, if he tends to lie down often after a long ride that is a good time to do the training. Give the horse a treat when he lies down.


3. Make sure you have a treat ready for him each and every time he lies down, whether that is from your command or his own. He needs to associate the treat with lying down.


4. Work with the horse each and every day. It can take some time to learn how to do this. Constantly praise and reward him. Do not push him or get aggressive with him as you are training him. You need to have a lot of patience while you are training him.


5. Set up a schedule to work with the horse at the same time every day. He will soon learn that when he lies down he will get a treat. Soon, when he sees the treat in your hand he will automatically lie down for you, as long as you are always gentle with him while you go through this process.