Horse Training Groundwork: How To Teach Your Horse How To Stand Still & Focus For Safety & Calmness

Training your horse to stand still is critical for safety and ongoing success of training your horse. Most problems with horses start right here - so fix it once and for all by fixing the horses brain chemistry.
Don't know how that works? We can teach you a new way to do natural horsemanship with science!
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Now you can discover how to train your horse with natural horsemanship the easy way - using the power of science and the horse’s natural brain chemistry. When you work with the equine brain, you form lasting training relationships, making liberty and natural horse training easier, faster and safer for you and your horse.
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West Taylor is a renowned BLM Mustang Trainer, who has worked on a variety of major Wild horse film projects and worked with various veteran groups and special education programs using his unique approach to training wild horses to be calm, steady and reliable trail horses, working horses and equine therapy horses.

[@tabithacrawford5674]

Thank you for this video! So many videos are with trained horses and that isn’t as helpful as watching from the beginning stages. I want to know what to expect. I want to see what a horse will actually do vs what “I should expect” and the length of the video is helpful to show how patient you have to be. I need more videos like this 💗

[@OutlawRides]

You are so welcome! Many more full length training videos on my website www.westtaylor.net

[@MiaScholz-nq5dx]

She's absolutely stunning!

[@madison1829]

Did this training with my 2 and a half year old over the last 2 days and what a difference in her ability to calm down and stay calm. Thank you! I feel much safer working with her now.

[@OutlawRides]

Thanks for the update Kyla!

[@destinygreycloud5189]

your horse is shut down, leme ask you a question, does their ears face you? if no then im sorry but ur horse is shut down, if it does for a moment then good on you keep the connectionw ork up, if it does for alongtime then you have the horses full attion

[@marge6020b]

I like how you show the whole process. I don't think a lot of people understand that you have to go slowly and consistently. ANd that it takes a long time. So many people at my barn don't understand and are critical of me. But, I have the horse that doesn't get worried about anything, and if he does, I just let him look at and take time to think, then he's like, ok, let's go.

[@thewatcher5305]

i love that his training is backed by actual equine science...this man speaks my language

[@OutlawRides]

Thank you!

[@MrNater41]

It's the basics with some scientific words thrown in there like he just read a high school bio vocabulary sheet. Sure, they sound good to someone who has no clue. To anyone with a true education in this area, this is cringe comedy.

[@emerwatchorn6971]

And Kudos for starting with a worried horse from the begining its so educational.

[@OutlawRides]

I like to show how it is rather than how it is supposed to be😁

[@cathyweiss1814]

So true 🦄

[@cathyweiss1814]

What do you mean

[@cathyweiss1814]

So true 🦄 🦚 🌹

[@asterdeborah]

Love your relaxed energy, wish i could allways be that relaxed in my trainings. Knowing you should be calm and actualy being that calm are two different things. Thank you for the calm energy and content on youtube!!

[@OutlawRides]

Thank you! Yes it has taken a fair bit of personal work to manage my internal emotions!

[@gcrranch439]

Saw you for the first time on think like a horse and I like the way you train. You understand how a horse thinks. Love it. We have an Arabian gelding and he’s always worried about everything around him. It’s like working with a toddler every time lol . He and his girl have a separation problem as well. Cracks me up because they have a better relationship then most married couples lol . Love the way you explain ❤️

[@OutlawRides]

Thank you!

[@stevesayer4045]

The cat looking at him saying iv been on the back of that horse in the barn and it was ok with me. Thank you for this video mate Nice training

[@wendyolson7110]

Nice calm explanation and patience. Helped to understand the horses mind. Thank you. Wish all trainers used your techniques.

[@oranges8302]

Thank you!! This was wonderful and so helpful. It makes so much sense when you explain it. You did so much with Goldie in such a short amount of time. I really like and respect the way you work. You remain so calm. That’s something I need to work on.

[@billrey8221]

Best trainer ever.! I learned more in the first 15 minutes of this video than all of the hours watching others. Thanks for posting. Mustangs??

[@briannondahlke2763]

I love this approach, I work at a stable with 27 horses and don’t have the time to work w them, but love eye contact, soft lips!

[@lovedegoyette]

I am super green on working with horses. I have been doing my best to help a rescue with my limited knowledge and I am so glad I found you. As a psychology student, I really appreciate you using the scientific terms so I actually understand WHY I need to do something. I’m going to do this with Jackson tomorrow.

[@cathyweiss1814]

This is my second time watching this Mr. West

[@OutlawRides]

its been a great tool for us!! Glad you are enjoying it!

[@zoe5317]

awesome training!!

[@e-mail881]

what a class!

[@emerwatchorn6971]

Ive watched alot of trainers, this is by far the best explaination ive ever heard. So simple when its explained so clearly. Thank you. 🙏👍

[@joyceappel1340]

This is good. I was looking for something both to refresh myself after a long time off but also b to share with beginners. The pointers on body language and state of mind are exactly what I was looking for.

[@rachelrafferty2027]

I can’t wait to try this out on my horse .

[@salliegallegos918]

Thank you!

[@stellacwalker]

Very nice video ,thank you to film it ALL the way…. people will learn from that task

[@mir_a2595]

Thank you for sharing your precious knowledge with us!

[@OutlawRides]

Hope it will help you and your horse 🤠👍🏻

[@mir_a2595]

@@OutlawRides thank you! I don't have my own horse yet, but I like being around horses. I am particularly interested in underatanding their body language and your videos are helping a lot. Thank you again and keep up the great work! Best regards from Austria 🇦🇹

[@dianamarcketta493]

Very helpful. Have a HYPP/PSSM1 quarter horse. Well- trained. Spooky and tension-filled in new environment. Has been passed from owner to owner. Thank you.

[@annawhitakr6401]

This is very good information. Most trainers do not explain this in this detail, and it is important to understand. I think this also depends on how familiar the horse is to the person, environment, and of course the age of the horse. This is a very busy minded horse. Thanks for the information and video.

[@kimberludtke2763]

Thank u West, I really needed this info

[@OutlawRides]

I like my experiences with horses to be SAFE and this tool really helps👍🏻

[@brookesteele4397]

This is Tsali. I'm going back through the exercises and making sure we don't have holes.

[@emilypearson2009]

Very nice !

[@OutlawRides]

Thank you very much!

[@glxpassat]

I have a 15 year old american saddlebred, which was a saddleseat horse. I got her over 1.5 years, and she has become an awesome trail horse. She does have a high strung nature about her, but slowly I've gained her trust, and respect. Diet was changed, helped a lot, however, she does have this same issue discussed in your video. I don't have an area where I can easily work her, so things take a little more time. Seeing this video was extremely helpful, and I'm definitely going to try out your method.

[@OutlawRides]

You can do this process in the corral or paddock if needed. The point is ti get your horse to "Stand still" first, then work on attention... Go slow, relax yourself and watch your horse figure it out 👍🏻🤠

[@joebertucci813]

Once you go rack, you never go back.

[@judithsmith6376]

Great information! Thank you. Would I need to do this each time before I start working with my horse as a way to get her ready to learn?

[@leese7420]

West where is Goldie today, Aug, 2023, beautiful and beautiful work, thanks

[@IT-zx5jc]

Hi that was so great thank you for doing the whole thing. Usually we stop too soon when the horse may be catching on a bit but is still a bit annoyed by the lesson. I only have one thing I want to say. Around 25:50 you got into her space signalling, the lesson is over now we are together, she is relaxed, you are relaxed and this was a long session. Then she appraches you since she is mirroring your behavior, then you send her away again. I would advise you never do that. She picked up on your energy or what to call it "hey girl you did good", and wanted to come close to you after you patted her. I know you did by default back her up again, no damage done, but just a friendly pointer. If I were the horse at that point I would think, "okay are we leaving now together great". Also remember that mares are extremely smart, there needs to be a purpose to the exercise to her, otherwise there is a risk of her being like frozen statue around you but NOT interacting with you, so you will end up on the other end. Hope you understand what I mean. The relationship always comes first.

[@OutlawRides]

Thanks for your feedback :) This video is from a few years ago, the deeper I get into this slower and softer I am getting 👍🏻

[@MsDormy]

What a pretty mare!

[@abethomas8625]

This is a science.

[@cathyweiss1814]

What?

[@Inca1122]

I have a reactive horse and I will be trying this out with him. I can kind of see where the connection to the human in this could translate to the saddle so that if there is a stressor on the trail, they know to bring their attention on you for the release a s therefore not allowing the adrenaline or cortisol to build up to a possible fight or flight disaster. Not sure if that’s what this exercise could do but that’s what I would be hoping for.

[@OutlawRides]

The idea is for the horse to become able to "self regulate" meaning that when the stressors (stimulus) are sensed the horse would have a new option of down regulating rather than the instinctive up regulation to fight/flight mode. I have a lot more full length training videos on my website www.westtaylor.net

[@Inca1122]

@@OutlawRides ok thank you!

[@geraldinefayne975]

Loved this lesson Can I start a bought in 6 month foal like this as I would like to have a calm minded confident yearling and grow with same as she gets older

[@OutlawRides]

YEs, I would suggest shorter training sessions for yearlings...maybe only 20-30 at a time..

[@geraldinefayne975]

Thank you

[@laragolan617]

Do you have any advice for horses that live on grass and dont pay attention because they graze?

[@judymiller5154]

Just bringing up our coming 2yo pali AQHA gelding. He's got a solid temperament and a good start on handling as weanling and yearling. I'll watch your vids as we go thru the next steps. At the moment my biggest concern is how to get his tail white after all winter/spring in turnout?

[@salliegallegos918]

Soak it in a bucket with a bit of bleach. It works wonders on my horse with a long white tail. Rinse of course and ignore anyone who says it’s harmful. I’ve been whitening his tail like that for years. He could not care less.

[@judymiller5154]

@@salliegallegos918 thanks much! I have a 1/2 gallon pitcher I can dunk almost his whole tail in. About how much bleach would I add? I would wash it with soap first, then bleach, then showsheen.

[@marylamb56]

Well, they have horse herd survival going on. Rocket science. Just being me. 😁🐴💕

[@mmanderson2486]

Does the behaviors being taught in this video transfer to other parts of the horses life? For example if she were tied to the fence by herself will it help her to learn to stand quietly?

[@OutlawRides]

Yes for sure it will help her. These trainings are neuro excercises for your horses brain.

[@ruthiebrooks4867]

What exactly does the lick and chew mean? Any other body languages we should pay attention too? Can you do a video on the body language of horses and what each one could mean. 🤔please

[@OutlawRides]

Hi Ruthie, Everything you want to know is in the below link. westtaylor.net/science-seminar/

[@abethomas8625]

Which colour does a hose hate.

[@sianwallis2695]

Can u do this with a weakling or is it too much focus for a little guy

[@shenedadenney8649]

I really try to watch your videos but can’t hear you

[@practice965]

Question... Are horses location oriented? In other words, does this need to be repeated at every location, such as the tack room when you're saddling the horse?

[@wildnisfarm2754]

I have a question, during this exercise my horse started walking sideways;) How would you correct that behavior?

[@mihakabercic4457]

let her make her not wanna do it anymore

[@brittanybradford9239]

Love this. K.I.S.S

[@OutlawRides]

I agree...for my own sanity as well 😂

[@baileyannewithane]

What is the breed of this horse?

[@Franklin-pc3xd]

What is a BFF?

[@marylamb56]

I need help on learning the scientific knowledge of the horse.🙈 .

[@OutlawRides]

In the below link I have a complete classroom discussion all about how the equine brain functions, the video is over 4hrs long going into great detail of how the brain functions...Im sure you will find some "Golden Nuggets" 🤠 westtaylor.net/science-seminar/

[@robynmartin2026]

she looks like she might have some haflinger in her?? Great vid, thank you!!

[@Learningthetruth7]

Totally confused. She was walking all over you and not paying attention to you, yet the moment it cut to the round pen work she was quiet, attentive and standing still. How did that transition happen?

[@OutlawRides]

Hey Linda. When I took her to the round pen where she could not see her BFF her attitude changed dramatically :)

[@chrisunderwood2524]

Can not hear a word you are saying......your mic is not turn up...

[@The_mare_stare]

What’s the halter you’re using?

[@thereseandersson3432]

its a regular ropehalter, a stiff one

[@marylamb56]

In the end, the horse trains us, to learn their language and for to read it ! And so the horses, laugh at the human........ Whoops 💕🤔💕🤔🙈 ,

[@ellachamberlin9320]

My horse does the same thing he will not stand still but when he does he starts to paw at the ground:/

[@ellachamberlin9320]

@West Taylor how do I fix the pawing when he is standing?

[@OutlawRides]

@@ellachamberlin9320 he is pawing because he is stressed. One thing you could do is each time he starts to paw the ground back him up a few steps. You are wanting to change the thought in his mind that he is stressed by giving him some work to do. Back him up and allow him time to relax. Each time he paws simply back him up a few steps..You are turning the "worry into work".....Watch for him to licknchew. This may take repeated experiences for your horse to relax. I have lots of videos on my website that demo how to relax your horse and get this tension and stress out of the horses body... www.westtaylor.net

[@johnjacobs4207]

horses that have lovesickness inherit the problem from ancestors no amount of training will get it out. Just test it out behind the cows with a group of other riders

[@OutlawRides]

I disagree John.....and I agree.....Some horses can easily be trained through this and others take a bit more time....Depends on your patience and set up...

[@RossJacobs]

You really should learn some physiology before doing these videos. You have it wrong. You keep assigning the behaviour to stress hormones, but cortisol, adrenaline etc are the result of activation of the sympathetic system. Cortisol does not create stress. Cortisol elevation is the result of stress. Changing the focus of the mind is what causes the release of stress hormones to lower. It is not the lowering of stress hormones that cause the mind to relax and focus. In this case, the brain regulates the adrenal gland, not the adrenal hormones regulating the brain.

[@OutlawRides]

I feel we are saying the same thing...I am not saying that cortisol creates the stress, I am saying cortisol is the result of stress (sympathetic nervous system) and the way to lower the cortisol is to transition the horse into the parasympathetic nervous system.

[@RossJacobs]

@@OutlawRidesthankls for your reply and for your clarification of what you were meaning. On another point, the parasympathetic is always active and present. It is not something you turn on and off. It is the sympathetic system that triggers fight and flight that is turned on when the brain perceives safety threatening situations. So the body does not switch from one to the other, it is just that the sympathetic system is not on high alert when stress is not perceived.

[@leanneadams2549]

Wow ! How many times can you repeat everything you’ve said ! How many ? I got annoyed after three !!!

[@e-mail881]

What are you even doing here, you lost urban soul????

[@sn8323]

Her body language seems scared and confused. Not how I want to train my horse :(

[@e-mail881]

You sound like you don't even know what a horse is.

[@sn8323]

@@e-mail881 I have horses. They are happy horses who trust and like me. I do not use violence on them.

[@holistichomeopathy-nz]

This was an excellent video. I can get my horse to do this now when he isn't too stimulated but the moment he thinks the other horses are going ahead of him he pushes through the pressure - even when really getting loud with the lead rope. Any suggestions? He will also go to the side to try to get around / past you rather than leading nicely from behind.