To ensure a ride that you will enjoy take time to longe your horse so he can have his fun. With your horse satisfied from romping around the arena, you will get a more enjoyable ride. Horses act the same as dogs, laying around until company comes and all the energy comes out with the excitement of the company. To get your horse to play while being longed you may be required to play with him, each horse responds and plays differently. To hit two birds with one stone you can combine desensitizing your horse while longeing by including a prop that will excite your horse into playing. What your plan should be is to continue introducing the prop throughout the longeing period to bore your horse of the prop. When your horse becomes tired require him to approach the prop before quitting. To call your horse to you, I cue by extending my arm out with an open hand, which signifies safety. Start this technique with a mild prop like a whip and as your horse becomes board move up a notch in excitability. This is not a quick fix job, do not over do it. You want to just get your horse interested in working, not to scare him to death, back down a level or two if you see signs of intense fear.