If you have a horse that just basically does what he wants to do, you have a headstrong horse. Does your horse ignore you when you call him? Would he rather buck or sway you off his back than have you riding him? When he actually does let you ride him, does he ignore your commands to, "Whoa"? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have the makings of one headstrong horse.

There are some easy ways to get through to your headstrong horse. First of all, might isn't right when it comes to horses. Many people believe you must break a horse's spirit to train him; nothing could be further from the truth. Hurting your horse in any fashion is abuse and should be avoided at all costs. You don't want a 1,200LB animal spooked by the sight of you, you want a gentle companion who respects you and kind-training techniques will win him over.

Your horse has a herd animal mentality. He's wired psychologically to respect the leader of the herd; you have to become top horse in his eyes. One way to do is through gentle reinforcement of how you want him to act.

If your horse has a bucking or rearing problem, get him moving in a forward direction the minute you mount him. If he is walking and his mind is on where he is going, he will be less likely to buck and rear. Additionally, make it fun for him. Go into a series of left and right maneuvers to keep him moving. Give him a treat if he does well, this will reinforce that only good, positive things come from his interactions with you and he will grow to respect you and look forward to your time together. Using a doubling back technique is very useful with a horse that bucks or rears. When you feel his back and rear quarter muscles tensing up before he attempts to buck, double back. Work with your horse like this in a daily basis in short sessions and his attempts to control you will lessen and eventually disappear.

Gentle training techniques will help your horse become a gentle and loving companion whose company you will enjoy for years to come.

Much as a toddler will throw herself in the floor and kick and scream when she is tired, frustrated or just isn't getting what she wants, a horse will buck when they are frustrated or in protest to a person or situation they don't like. A behavior seen mostly in spirited younger horses is using bucking to assert their dominance over you.

Never whip a horse for bucking. Hurting your horse won't make him respect you. It will make him fear you and you can wind up with a dangerous animal on your hands. The best way to get your horse to give up bucking is to simply divert his attention, much as you would a toddler who was having a tantrum.

When you work with your horse on a regular basis, you will begin to notice postures and behaviors that he will assume before bucks. Learn to anticipate these moves and when you see him falling into bucking mode, give him a command to take his mind off bucking and kicking.

Some horses respond best if you suddenly take them in a tight circle and make them turn around, this will cause them to have to un-tense their back and rear muscles and the urge to buck will be lost. Another technique that works well with bucking horses is to take him into a trot, canter or gallop. Working off excess energy will do him good. Praise your horse and give him lots of positive reinforcement when he chooses to follow your commands and not buck.

This serves a two-fold purpose. Your horse will have his mind diverted from the idea of bucking and following your commands will further tell him you are the top horse of the herd and he needs to listen to you. Do this on a regular basis and always praise your horse when he is making progress - in a very short period of time, your horse will be broken of the habit of bucking.