Training guide
How to teach your horse to use a wobble board
Wobble boards are new to most horses and most owners, so the way you introduce one matters. With patience and lots of reward, most horses are standing calmly on the board within about four short sessions. This is exactly how we teach our own horses, step by step, with videos of each stage.
Before you start
The golden rule: let your horse work it out, and reward every try. Wobble board training uses your horse’s own curiosity and motivation. Never force or pull a horse onto the board. A horse that chooses to step on will be far more confident than one that was made to.
- A level, non-slip surface: an arena, rubber matting or a flat yard. Never on ice or uneven ground.
- Headcollar and a long lead rope, so you can stay at a safe distance.
- Small treats or a clicker, to reward the smallest tries immediately.
- A fence, wall or poles along one side, to help your horse stay straight later on.
- 10–20 minutes and no rush. Stop while your horse is still keen.
- Your vet or physio’s OK if your horse is in rehab or has a known condition.
The 6 steps
The steps aren’t split into sessions. Some horses do two steps in one session, others take a couple of sessions over one step. Move on only when your horse is relaxed at the current stage.
01
Let your horse investigate
Lead your horse up to the board and let them sniff it, look at it and paw at it. Many horses scrape at the board with a front foot to test it. That’s normal and a good sign.
Reward any interest at all: looking, sniffing or touching the board with a hoof.
Tip: keep the lead rope loose. If your horse wants to walk away, let them, then calmly return.
02
Reward a resting foot
Next, wait for your horse to stop scraping and simply rest a front foot on the board. Reward that moment straight away.
You’re teaching your horse that standing quietly on the board is what earns the reward, not pawing at it.
Tip: timing is everything. Reward the instant the foot settles, then let your horse take it off again if they want to.
03
Both front feet on
It’s only a matter of time before your horse steps onto the board with both front feet. Reward generously when they do.
Let them stand there for a few seconds, then step back off. Repeat until it looks easy and relaxed.
Tip: the board will move as weight goes on. Some horses are surprised the first time, so stay calm and give them a moment.
04
Walk over the board
Once your horse is comfortable with both front feet on, try leading them over the board from the short side, so they step onto it and off the other end.
The aim is for your horse to be relaxed about stepping on and over the board, and to start touching it with the hind feet too.
Tip: walk slowly and give your horse time to look where they’re putting their feet.
05
All four feet on
When your horse has touched the board with their hind feet a few times, lead them onto it and stop with all four feet on.
A fence or poles on one side help your horse stay straight. Reward any steps forward. Before long your horse will be curious enough to bring the hind legs on by themselves.
Tip: if the hind legs keep missing, go back to walking over the board for a few more repetitions.
06
Find the balance, then rock
Once your horse is standing on the board, let them find their balance. Then gently encourage them to shift their weight from front to back and back to front, so the board rocks.
Learning to rock takes a little time, but most horses offer more and more movement every session. This is where the real balance and core work begins.
Tip: small, slow rocks are better than big ones. Your horse should stay calm and in control.
See it in action
A few clips from our Instagram showing these steps with real horses, including one meeting a wobble board for the very first time.
Get the free 4-session plan
A printable, session-by-session plan for teaching your horse to use a wobble board, with a checklist for each session and a 6-week build-up. Pop in your email and it’s yours.
A typical session plan
It usually takes about 4 sessions of 10–20 minutes to get a horse standing on the board, before you start working on rocking.
Building up once your horse is on
- Start short: 3–5 minutes on the board, a short walking break, then repeat. Do this 3 times.
- Build gradually: over the weeks, reduce the repetitions and increase the time on the board.
- Our routine: two 10-minute sessions, 2–3 times a week, before riding, lunging or groundwork.
- Be patient with results: with our horse Hugo, changes were gradual, with a visible increase in muscle after about 6 weeks.
Once your horse is confident on the One-directional board, you can make it harder: add the Frame for more movement, move up to the Bi-directional board, and later the Circular board. The Small board is great for working two legs at a time. Not sure where to start? See which board is right for my horse.
Troubleshooting
| If your horse… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Won’t go near the board | Leave it in the arena or field so it becomes part of the scenery. Feed a treat beside it, then on it. |
| Paws or scrapes at the board | That’s investigating, and it’s fine. Wait, and reward the moment the foot rests quietly instead. |
| Steps off sideways | Put a fence, wall or poles along one side, and keep your horse’s body straight as you approach. |
| Rushes on and off | Slow everything down. Ask for one foot at a time, reward standing still and keep sessions short. |
| Won’t bring the hind legs on | Go back to walking over the board from the short side until the hind feet touch it naturally. |
| Seems worried when it moves | Go back a step and stay there until your horse is relaxed. Stop the session on a calm, good moment. |
Safety
- Always use the board on a level, non-slip surface, with your horse in hand.
- Never leave a horse alone on, or loose near, the board.
- Stand to the side, never directly in front of the board.
- Stop if your horse is anxious, sore or uncomfortable.
- If your horse is in rehab, check with your vet or physio before you start, and follow their advice on how much to do.
Questions about training?
Every horse is different. If you get stuck, send us a message and we’ll help.