Horse Training Tip - In Hand Exercise #2 Leg Yield Down the Wall

We promised, here it is...
What you Need - a fence or enclosed arena, bridle, dressage or piaffe whip.

With your horse bridled in a kind bit, position him or her facing the fence or the wall in the riding arena. Standing on the left side of the horse, just in front of the shoulder, facing his hindquarters, place the reins over his head and gather both reins in your left hand so you have a light contact. Your hand should be roughly in the middle of the neck between ear and the shoulder. Ask the horse to take a sideways step away from you, crossing the hind legs, by tapping him lightly above the hock (piaffe whip) or on the hindquarters as close as you can get to the area above the hock with the dressage whip. As he moves away, move with him, mirroring the horse's movement by crossing your legs. Use your position by the neck to influnce his shoulder to move more or less as needed to keep him facing the wall or fence. When the hindquarters get too far ahead, catch up the shoulder by pushing on the neck, releasing the pressure as soon as he moves. When the shoulder gets too far ahead, "catch" it by applying pressure on the outside rein (turn your wrist to tighten outside rein). You and your horse will be bobbly and coordinated at first - any movement sideways should be praised in the beginning. Eventually, you both will catch on. If your horse gets flustered, return to the Go and Whoa exercise and dole out some praise there.

Tomorrow is Ask the Farrier Day!

BTW, these are the Good HorsePerson's MOST favorite dressage whips - not too hard, not too "floopy," light and easy to hold, the best part of all- they're CHEAP. $10, really.
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=1615
Photo Courtesy of http://dragonflyeyes.org

Horse Training Tip - Got the Winter Riding Blues? Try In-Hand Work!

Something about winter...cold hands, cold toes, that cold air sweeping against your face as you ride around in the too-dusty indoor or, even worse, in the frozen or too-muddy outdoor.

Don't feel like riding today? The Good HorsePerson doesn't blame you...but here's an alternative that an improve the relationship between you and your horse for when the weather improves and riding is more fun again. A note to consider before doing any in-hand exercises - the Good HorsePerson is assuming your horse is already properly broken to lead, accept the bridle and generally respect your space.

Go and Whoa - In Hand Exercise:

Walk your horse (bridled, with a kind bit) in-hand around your riding arena. You should walk with purpose and slightly in front of his or her shoulder. Without warning, stop walking. If your horse is paying attention, he should stop with you. But if you don't usually make him focus on you, he probably will keep walking. Let him hit the bit, don't budge from where you stopped. Your horse will probably turn to you and spin around a little, with a surprised look. That's ok. Repeat a few times and your horse will be keeping his eye on you and stopping without any pressure from the rein. If he or she is a dull to your aide and repeatedly hits the bit, go ahead and pull back sharply - quick and to the point. After you achieve the goal of stopping without pressure, if your horse is willing, up and ante and try some trot-work transitions - then, for more adventure, the trot to halt. If your horse is keen to learn, he will catch on and you will have a fun training game to play. It's "natural horsemanship" - no wands or rope halters necessary. If your horse is not so keen to play, you can make it more interesting with treats - try the LifeSavers Wintergreen Peppermints - many horses like them, they are individually wrapped and do not melt like regular peppermints.

www.candystand.com

Repeat this exercise each day (on the way to and from the riding arena or turnout paddock is a good time) and you will notice your horse is more and more focused on you and your body language rather than what his or her buddies are doing in the field. It's simple, but it works.

Check back tomorrow for another In-Hand Exercise - Leg-Yield Down the Wall.