Mounting from one side puts a lot of pressure on the horse's withers and can cause sore backs. Training your horse to be mounted from either side can help equalize the pressure and keep them more balanced. This can also have positive impacts on your saddle.
Make sure your horse is comfortable with you mounting and dismounting on either side. You never know when you'll encounter a rocky cliff, a mud hole, or other trail hazard. Alternating sides also allows your horse to use muscles on the right and left sides of his spine equally, which helps his back.
Mounting and dismounting should be done on the left side of the horse. Using a mounting block to get on helps prevent excessive strain on the horse's back.
Near Side—
Refers to the left side of a horse. All saddling and bridling is done from the left side. Off Side—Refers to the right side of the horse because the saddling and unsaddling is done from the other (left) side.
Why do you always have to mount a horse from the left side? Answer: In ancient warfare, soldiers would traditionally have their sword on the left side. So when they mounted their horse, it was easier to approach from the left.
Shebala, who has a degree in animal science from the University of Idaho, explained that the side a particular culture used when handling a horse historically was weapon-oriented. Anglos had sabers on their left hip, so they had to mount from the left.
Be sure to stay away from the sensitive areas of the horse like the eyes, ears, muzzle, and belly of the horse. While some horses might be OK with you petting these areas, many are sensitive and won't like to be touched there.
Always lead from the horses left shoulder with your right hand about 15 inches away from the head of the horse and with your left hand holding the lead neatly coiled or folded. Don't let the lead drag on the ground where it can be stepped on.
Why do horses nudge you? Have you ever been nudged by a horse? Horses use body language to communicate with humans (and other horses), and one of the ways they do this is through touch. Nudging is a way for a horse to get your attention, which can signify affection or impatience.
This behavior is a way horses naturally groom each other. When your horse tries rubbing its head on your body, it may be attempting to “groom” you as a show of affection. Even though some horses rub their head on humans as a way to show affection, it's a behavior that should be discouraged due to the risk of injury.
2) Leaning on you
Sharing body contact is one of the main ways horses share affection. Since horses don't have hands to hold or arms to give hugs, gentle leans and even “neck hugs” express their love.
Use assertive energy! If your horse misbehaves, don't react with agression or frustration – use calm, but assertive energy. If a mare sees something she doesn't like, she stops her foal by moving it out of the way in a calm, but dominant manner.
Just as almost every human shows a strong preference for being right-handed or left-handed, a horse is also commonly a little stronger on one side of his body than on the other.
Racehorses in North America typically run around turns on their left lead and the straightaways on their right lead. The reason for this is that a horse is more balanced when they lead with the leg corresponding to the direction of the turn.
Most horses kick by lifting the hind legs forward and kicking back in a sideways motion.
Most horses do not like having their head or face touched. Many people want to scratch the horse near an ear, but you'll make a better impression if you gently stroke their neck instead. ...
The nose, lips, mouth, and possibly the ears are the most sensitive areas to touch. Although hooves do not respond to touching, various parts of the hoof are able to feel touch. Understanding the degree to which horses are sensitive to touch can be valuable to the trainer.
Always approach a horse from the left and from the front, if possible. Speak softly when approaching, especially from behind, to let it know of your presence. Always approach at an angle, never directly from the rear.
Dominance occurs when a horse forces the other to move against its will. One horse will move its body in the direction of or in contact with the other forcing it to move. Fighting usually occurs when the dominant horse is challenged by the other horse not moving, or responding aggressively.
Look at the gaited horse community that show with large shanked bits and two hands on the reins. The sole reason that western riders ride with one hand on the reins is because the other hand is supposed to be engaged in something else. That is the entire reason. Cowboys rope.
On approach, try to look at the horse's knees as opposed to directly in the eyes as this can make a horse feel threatened. If you are approaching the horse, not in eyes view, it is especially important to let your presence be known.
So how do you get your horse's respect? A horse's respect is earned by moving his feet forward, backward, left, and right, and always rewarding the slightest try. Think about respect from your horse's point of view. When horses are thrown together out in a pasture, it's natural for them to establish a pecking order.