How do you train a trail horse?

I just got a horse that was used as a trail riding horse.So It never wants to run and he only wants to follow someone else.How can I get him to lead and train him to run?
Answers:
We bought a trail horse and what we did was kind of tiring but it worked. My husband would take her reins and run with her. She got the idea as she heard his voice commands as they ran in the paddock together. She would canter but wasn't really crazy to trot. That was OK with us. She was part Quarter and Percheron and I guess the heavy horses aren't big on moving fast. I think when we were ground training and running with her, it gave her confident to go on her own. So to start my husband just lead her around the paddock, holding the reins and he's on the ground. Encouraging her all the time. Eventually, he would start running a little and she would pick up her gait, of course my husband had his little legs travelling trying to get her to trot. She got used to all that and was able to ride confidently with him on his back. It really didn't take too long. She just had to get it through her head that it was OK to go without another horse in front. Hope this helps a little. Have fun. p.s. your command to run must be clear and perhaps a little more aggressive that a more sensitive riding horse. Your trail horse has had so many people sending such a variety of messages that he is confused and not sure what you are asking. So be kind but consistent. Good Luck

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if you have other people to ride with let them lead for awhile and make him lead for a little and he will eventually get used to it. as far as Running my mare always followed the lead horse to keep up. We would chase the other one. Eventually as he gets more used to being out front as my mare did he will want to be there. She gets really upset if someone is moving slower than her anymore and he will get used to not being confined to the back also. She still doesn't run a whole lot out in front unless she knows we are on our way back home.

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A horse can always learn, I have a few myself and got myself a 11yr old mare paint that side pases, leads, gallops, rides on trails, jumps, does barrels and ropes she learned.Even the most abused horses can be tamed to allow you to let you ride them =) it just takes time and patience, scold and praise, just work with him every day or as often as You get and he will be gladly to work with You. I also suggest to ride in the front and if he turns to go behind then You make him stay up in front and keep going and he will get the idea. He's just used to it and perfers to stay in back just as horse's can be barnsour. Good Luck.

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If you really want to be the best you can for your horse, you'll want to learn everything you can. One of the best sources to do this is www.Parelli.com .

If he never wants to run, you have to motivate him to *want* to run. This doesn't mean beating him up. What it means is you want to make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.

To increase speed:

(1) bring your life up (I know -- that's kind of abstract -- it'll start to make sense as time progresses); if that doesn't work, then
(2) squeeze (NOT kick) with your legs LIGHTLY; if that doesn't work, then
(3) with a lead rope, slap yourself lightly (hold the rope in the middle of your chest and pretend you're aiming for flies on your back); if that doesn't work, then add:
(4) with a lead rope, slap the horse lightly on the rump (with the same force you used on yourself)

Notes:
(1) squeezing harder with your legs doesn't work well; the horse FEELS the light squeeze, it's just ignoring you
(2) the slapping with the lead rope is create a commotion, not to causing any pain, stinging, etc.
(3) the SECOND the horse speeds up, release all pressure (whether that's from your legs, the rope, etc.)
(4) if the horse breaks gait, start again with phase 1; do NOT try to prevent the horse from breaking gait. Otherwise, you'll wind up doing as much work as the horse and you'll just make him dull and disinterested.

Training him to lead: take him out by himself after you get his "go" button (see above) working.

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Get yourself a small whip and lightly tap him hard enough to get his attention and hang on, been there done that.