|
This exercise is for use prior to riding, to calm and settle
the horse. It is a form of join-up, which puts the horse
into a state of relaxation, submission and obedience.
Stage 1.
All you do is lead the horse randomly around your
arena or work-space, putting in rein-changes, turns, circles, halts and
any other figures. This brings the horse's mind to focus on you
and where you want him to go.
The hand-hold on the reins
should start close
to the bit, then slide away, as the horse submits.
|
|
 |
To guide the horse, show by
example what you want him to
do. When you want him to walk on, walk forward yourself.
When you want him to halt, stop walking and stand still.
Stay very still and show by example what you want. Don't say
or do anything else.
At first, you may have to restrain him
lightly on the reins with a gentle backward tug. The nervous
horse is often unwilling to come to halt. He would rather
keep moving. |
|
|
When you want him to change
direction, turn in the direction you want to go and continue
walking.
Keep turning and changing direction
frequently. This is what helps him to forget his worries and
keep his attention on what you want. Changing direction also
diverts his attention away from anything else he may get fixed on.
If there is any spooking or disobedience - change direction
immediately, as if that is what you intended to do anyway.
|
|
|
As you go along, you should find
that you can slide your hand down the reins until your arm is in a
nearly normal walking position. When this happens, the horse
is approaching submission. He
is going where you go and doing what you want. |
|
|
When the moment seems right, ask
for halt again. The
goal is for him to read the signal as it comes and stop behind
you. This is true submission.
And so you go on, walking around randomly
and putting in the occasional halt. Think of it as
'scribbling' or making vaguely circular patterns on the
ground. |
How
long does it take?
This depends entirely on the horse's level of anxiety, agitation or
excitement. Most of them come to it within 15-20 minutes.
Others may take longer, but 30 minutes or so should be plenty.
If, after
half an hour or so. you haven't achieved relaxation and submission, end
the session and start again another day. He should have idea by
then, so the second time should achieve the desired end result.
Stage
2.
|
Mount up and start riding when the horse is
calm, relaxed and submissive. Do exactly the same again, but
mounted. Walk randomly here, there and everywhere on a long, loose rein.
Again, put in rein-changes, turns, circles, halts and
any other figures, to focus the horse's mind on you. All you
want is that he goes calmly, quietly and obediently where you ask him
to go. There is no concern at this point as
to how the horse carries himself, his head, or anything else. The only
requirement is that he remains calm, relaxed, submissive - and goes
where he is asked to go. |
|
|
When walk is established and exactly
right, move quietly into trot, always maintaining a loose rein and working turns,
circles and figures etc.
The aim is to establish obedience from the
lightest possible rein-contact, thus keeping the horse calm and
responsive.
As the horse settles to this way of going, more
can be asked, but with intervals of loose-rein relaxation along the way. |
|
If you'd like some
advice about your
horse or pony, just send
an email.
|