1) Picking up the correct
leads
Well, you have come a
long way with your horse, and now you are ready for more technical
instruction. We are focusing on teaching a horse to pick up the correct leads.
When cantering/loping the idea is to make the horse move forwards in a smooth
and collected manner, but how do we achieve this??? Well we should begin all
training methods with a well thought out plan and the rider needs to know
exactly what he/she is trying to achieve. There are many different methods to
do this, however in MY opinion this method works best. First of all, always try
to have some sort of fence line, the best being in an arena. Take your horse at a
slow jog or trot and with the hand nearest the rail, turn your horse’s head
towards the rail. Squeeze only with the leg nearest the rail and constantly
push your horse forward keeping the horse’s head turned slightly towards the
rail and make a kissing sound or telling your horse to lope/canter. By keeping
his/her head slightly turned
towards the rail you are literally pushing his/her inside leg forward thus
picking up the correct lead. This will also work with horse’s that have
forgotten their leads. Do this every time you canter or lope and soon your
horse will understand and you have taught your horse his/her leads.
2) Teaching Something New
Now
you are advanced and you have the ability to teach your horse something new.
No matter what you are trying to teach your horse, it is VERY important to NOT
get frustrated, if this should happen you have lost this battle!!!!
Let’s say you are teaching the horse to canter/lope under saddle, and
they are just not getting it. If you lose your cool, the horse will only remember
that when you did this the last time, he/she got in trouble, making your next
attempt even more difficult, and the horse more fearful. They want to please
us, so NEVER bring on a fight!!! You need to become their safe place!!!
So let’s say you got the horse to lope/canter, what then??? What I
always do is take the horse to the center and just let it stand. I will sit
there rubbing it’s neck, this tells the horse “you did good” also
rewards the horse for it’s effort! OK now let’s say the horse is just NOT
getting it…
and you feel yourself getting irritated. At this point, I would take
the horse into the middle and sit there rubbing it’s neck. Now I know you
are thinking "but it didn’t do what I wanted", that is true, but more than
likely it is because it didn’t understand, so by taking it to the middle,
you have rewarded it’s effort and you are giving yourself the chance to calm
down!!! Once you are relaxed, then and ONLY then begin asking again. I’ll
bet the horse will go right into it… just remember DO NOT let yourself get
frustrated!!!!!
If
you can remember to do that, you and your horse will make a GREAT team!!!!
