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Good horsemanship is just like cheating!
Monday, 11 May 2009

Good horsemanship  should be a little like cheating. Something that isn’t extravagant or showy, just a soft coming together of two entities into one unified motion. Something like magic. You know the magician is doing something, you just can’t see it- that’s great horsemanship.

 

How do you get that? By knowing how sensitive the horse really is.

 

Years ago, I was competing at a major show in front of six judges. It was a trail class that consisted of performing certain maneuvers at specific points, along with maneuvering in and through various obstacles. You are alone with your horse, and all judges are focused on you. As I was getting ready to  perform a particular movement, my horse anticipated my request and started to move before I was ready. I still remember it quite vividly. I was just moving my leg into position to move the hind quarters around and whoosh, she started without me!

 

Boy was I mad! I still remember what I thought that day, in front of all those judges! “Reba (the name of my horse) if you are going to be that sensitive then so will I!” I said it more out of frustration and anger, but little did I realize what an important lesson I  just learned. From that point on, we became true partners and  began to win. I began to experiment with using softer and softer cues, until all I had to do was think it and she did it.

 

Every horse I have ridden since, is that sensitive. Yours is too. Remember, when working with your horse they are watching, listening and feeling for those small subtle clues that will indicate what you are going to next. Instead of fighting it, learn to use this phenomenal ability by giving them what they want- just a small cue or signal, so that they can prepare themselves. You’ll be amazed at how sensitive your horse truly is! You might even feel like I do – just like your cheating!

 
Is your horse really obeying the stop command?
Wednesday, 06 May 2009
Is your horse really obeying the stop command? If not you could be in for a big suprise!

Does your horse stop because it is obeying the stop command or because you have stopped asking it to go forward? You know a car will stop if you simply let up from the gas pedal. But for the most part you stop the car by pushing on the brake pedal.

Most people think they have a stop with their horse, but in reality they are just coasting to a stop. When you are just relaxing and having some fun, or if the horse is in a good mood you can get by with coasting to a stop.

But there will come a day like the time when that small child ran in front of your car, or you had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision, you will desperately need to stop your horse.

Will you have a stop?

How do you know if your horse is obeying a stop command or just coasting to a stop? Here's a little test I perform on all horses that come to the ranch.

Lead your horse like you would normally do and then just stop. Did you horse stop? Most likely they did, this is a coast to a stop and what many call a good stop. This is not a good stop and to rely on the horse stopping using this method when things get exciting can have serious repercussions.

Now let's test for a real stop. Lead your horse by grasping the lead rope just below the halter (see photo). As you are walking and BEFORE you slow down with your body, pull back on the lead rope and see what happens. Pay attention to the horse's initial reaction. If they have a good stop and are obeying the stop command the first reaction will be to lower the head, then immediately stop their feet. Anything else indicates a poor stop. This will be even worse once undersaddle.

The reason for pulling back on the lead rope, before you slow down with your body, is to determine if the horse understands the proper response to a pull on the reins once you are undersaddle. If the horse sped up, threw its head up or rooted out the nose when it felt the pull of the lead rope you can expect those same behaviors when being ridden. All of which are unsafe and can lead to a disastrous ride.

I know that all of you would never get into a car that did not have brakes, so why get on the horse and hope it stops? Train the stop, be safer and have a happier horse!