Teaching a horse to do gates

S

Stenners

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 July 2014
Messages
1,254
Visit site
I have a 7r old that I got last year who was very anxious and sensitive and generally very green so he's more of a 5 yr old in a 7yr olds body. When I got him you couldn't even move in the saddle without him freaking out - i couldn't even attempt to touch him with my leg until about 4 months ago! Now we are in a much better place, he's accepting of me moving around/leaning down under branches etc and we do hack alone and he's great in an open space but I can't go alone due to gates! I have never attempted to push him i've had someone on foot who can open or another horse but not sure best way to start trying - because the gate is shut he feels he can't go anywhere near it! I did think about coming up to one sideways and trying that but just wondering if anyone has any good tips? I would only try gates to begin with that I knew were easy and safe!
 
I taught my boy in hand before I attempted it in the saddle. Now he will open gates like a pro if it’s a horse gate etc. I also taught him to stand at pretty much anything for a rewards since my crummy spine doesn’t give me the leg or grip strength to get on from the ground anymore 😁

Lots of repetition and rewards (for Faran this meant equerry minty treats 🤣) and he is fab 😁
 
Roasted Chestnuts said:
I taught my boy in hand before I attempted it in the saddle. Now he will open gates like a pro if it’s a horse gate etc. I also taught him to stand at pretty much anything for a rewards since my crummy spine doesn’t give me the leg or grip strength to get on from the ground anymore 😁

Lots of repetition and rewards (for Faran this meant equerry minty treats 🤣) and he is fab 😁
Click to expand...
I thought about trying this in hand too but wasn't sure where to begin/where to practice! He can be fussy at a block but has got sooooo much better so I need to also teach him to stand anywhere and everywhere fo rme to get on!
 
Just break it down.

Approach the gate. Stand, praise, rewards move away. Same again until that is instant.

The line them up as if you were on board stand praise reward, move away again until instsnt

Then pull the handle/mechanism stand praise reward move away

Keep a hold of the gate put them through wait praise reward repeat

Honestly they pick it up if it’s broken down. Then same again for random stuff for mounting on. I would just go out long lining looking for stuff to teach him to stand at, gates, rocks, tree stumps, fallen trees, walls, embankments, standing in ditches honestly it was good for him and for me 😁
 
Roasted Chestnuts said:
Just break it down.

Approach the gate. Stand, praise, rewards move away. Same again until that is instant.

The line them up as if you were on board stand praise reward, move away again until instsnt

Then pull the handle/mechanism stand praise reward move away

Keep a hold of the gate put them through wait praise reward repeat

Honestly they pick it up if it’s broken down. Then same again for random stuff for mounting on. I would just go out long lining looking for stuff to teach him to stand at, gates, rocks, tree stumps, fallen trees, walls, embankments, standing in ditches honestly it was good for him and for me 😁
Click to expand...
I do a lot of long lining so I may try to incorporate some of this! We have a gate into our arena(which unfortunately is up a step as you open it) but i may try to practice here!
 
Agree with roasted chestnuts, break everything down and don’t attempt a full gate straight away. If they can move their back end or shoulders on command that helps.

I have loads of gates so have taught a few.

Approach a gate and get him used to you leaning forward and reaching, I reward EVERY attempt even if it’s not great, treats are a great way of getting them on side!

Once the above becomes easier i will attempt to unlatch the gate, being aware of which way it swings, backing up is also an essential skill.

Just doing small bits each time they soon get the hang of it, just make sure you have someone to finish the job while he’s still learning.

Mine have all become pros at doing gates.
 
I'd got further back before you do gates. He needs to come to block and line himself up and stand. Once you have that totally established you have all the moves there pretty much, make sure he knows turn on the forehand, calmly one foot at a time under your control, then move to gates. Probably in hand if he's a worrier. But trying to do gates when he's iffy at the block is missing a bit step out of the process.
 
I taught my first horse (who isn't anxious, just didn't understand the process) how to open gates by perseverance and letting him have a snatch of grass or bush when he got to the far side. He soon learned and started pushing them open with his nose as soon as he got the idea (slightly frustrating when you're trying to pull the gate towards you).

However apparently this isn't the correct way to do gates and I am trying to master them on my young, and anxious, horse. First he had to learn to move his front and hind ends on request, and also to sidepass. So he has the tools, just not the confidence. My instructor starts with rope gates, so a long lead rope or similar loosely tied each end to two jump stands. Gets him used to doing the manoeuvre and passing between the posts without the added stress of the gate itself.

Then at a working equitation clinic we got the opportunity to work with a real gate. This was fab because I was (eventually) able to position him correctly and touch the gate and then the instructor took control of the gate itself while we passed through and pretended to shut it. Small steps but progress.

WE is great for confidence building, especially if you have a sympathetic instructor.
 
Stenners said:
I have a 7r old that I got last year who was very anxious and sensitive and generally very green so he's more of a 5 yr old in a 7yr olds body. When I got him you couldn't even move in the saddle without him freaking out - i couldn't even attempt to touch him with my leg until about 4 months ago! Now we are in a much better place, he's accepting of me moving around/leaning down under branches etc and we do hack alone and he's great in an open space but I can't go alone due to gates! I have never attempted to push him i've had someone on foot who can open or another horse but not sure best way to start trying - because the gate is shut he feels he can't go anywhere near it! I did think about coming up to one sideways and trying that but just wondering if anyone has any good tips? I would only try gates to begin with that I knew were easy and safe!
Click to expand...
Practise practise, with and without gates. Can you get him to walk towards fences and getting him to walk right up and stand with his head over the fence? And stand stock still, just waiting.
Make a narrow spaces obstacle course in an arena or field.

Can he go backwards, comfortably and easily, when asked on the ground and when ridden?
Same applies for sideways steps.
Horses that find certain ways of moving difficult will always be hesitant when approaching a gate.

Nail turn on the forehand aka can you keep the front end still while moving the hindquarters?

Have a play doing other classic riding exercises for beginners - touching ears, toes and top of tail. These moves are similar to those required at gates.

If you think about it the approach to a gate is a bit like entering a dressage arena, stopping exactly where you need to be, halting until asked to move by the rider, then backwards, sideways, maybe a bit of both at the same time, then maybe half a step forward, then back, etc.. it’s more technical than most dressage tests. You’re having to control every step, and deal with the gate, the surrounding fences, hedges, puddles, uneven ground, other horses, tasty long grass etc.

If you’re with someone then chat as you go. Don’t stop chatting or change how you speak when you know a gate is imminent. Without meaning to, or noticing, we set ourselves and our horses up for potentially impending problematic situations.
Oh, and breathe.

Does he deal with the gate in his field without hesitating?
 
You will never do a gate safely until you have taught a correct halt, turn on the forehand and the quarters and leg yield. The fact he is super sensitive makes it all the more important he is accepting of the aids, my feral cart horse was exactly the same and it took a good while to help him. Get those trained in and then find a well hung gate to practice on. Carrying a hunting whip is useful too, it will help you immensely with pulling the gate or pushing it.

A horse will never forget an accident with a swinging gate so it is well worth getting the training right. You can forget all of the above if you are young, agile, able to jump off and vault back on umpteen times !! or in my case, can't on or off without a block and tackle so the horses are trained or a young person is with me to do the gates.
 
I teach them the turn on the haunches and the turn on the forehand in the school.
I teach them some voice commands stand,over , wait, no, back , walk on and eventually push when I need them to help move the gate and on you go which means let’s get out of here quickly .

I teach them at the gate at the end of the drive I just repeat over and over until they work it out .
Once they get get it I will practise hanging over the side and all sorts of weirdness I will often use treats which they get when they have shut the gate we pause they have a treat before we move away
I have trained many hunters and gates are a key skill for a hunter .
Out hunting Skys rider uses polos it keeps the horse focused at the end of the task .
I also practise them working in a pair to do a gate .
I also teach them how to stand while I climb up the gate to get on .
It’s a balance between obedience and the horse understanding the task and using its own problem solving skills
Horses can get very very clever at closing gates and it’s one of those little delights that horses give you when is helping you out .

Sky loves pushing gates it’s his favourite thing .
 
Pick your gate wisely, one that is balanced and will stay where you put it is nice to start on. Break it down in to small steps. When i'm teaching a horse i like to get a more experienced horse to open the gate and then we close it or vice versa depending on which way the gate swings and how it's balanced, I think it can be good for them to see another horse do the gate and then they give it a try. Even if i get off to do a gate i would line my horse up as though i was doing the gate on them. Get the horse moving away from your legs in the school so they understand the commands before you introduce the gate, go side ways round barrels or cones to mimic the movements of doing a gate.
 
I taught my horse to do gates whilst we were WE training. He had no idea! He isn't reactive in any way so that was a bonus. Could you set up a ' gate ' in the school so he gates confident with the sequence of movements? I practiced with two jump wings and rope. Probably best you have someone on the ground. Practice without the rope, between the wings, then when that's solid, add the rope. My boy became an expert!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top