Post by Elaine on Mar 26, 2008 15:44:30 GMT
OK, so when you are riding your horse, you'd like to pick up one rein and your horse will automatically bend their head slightly in that direction.
Imagine you're riding on a circle.
You want your horse to look in a little, so his neck his bending the same way the circle is.
You pick up your inside rein lightly.
Bingo, horse gently arcs his nck in.
HOW TO DO THIS
Have a headcollar & lead rope on your horse
Stand at his shoulder, looking the same way he is looking (so both of you are looking straight ahead).
Put your outside hand over the front of his nose, when the noseband would lie.
Pull the nose VERY gently towards you.
You are hoping your horse will not move, and will turn his head a little towards you.
If your horse does this (EVEN A TINY TINY movement towards you) release your hand IMMEDiATELY. take it AWAY from your horses nose and head COMPLETELY. This is your horses reward for doing as you ask.
If you ask your horse to turn his head toward you a little, and he looks confused, keeps his neck and head looking ahead, and starts to walk slowly backwards, keep your hand on his nose, and walk backwards with him.
Seriously. Stay at your horses shoulder and walk slowly backwards with him, your hand still on his nose.
Two steps, ten steps, or perhaps half a paddock backwards later (at a slow walk, no stress or anything, relax and enjoy it!) your horse will stop, and give a little, turngin his head towards you.
When you feel that moment of SOFTNESS (you have to concentrate) its when your horse relaxes his neck muscles and you can feel it in your hand that he's not trying to pull away from your hand any more) then release IMMEDIATELY take your hand COMPLETELY away.
Good job. Rest, relax, rub horses shoulder or scratch his withers.
Now repeat. ONLY take that hand off his nose when you get four feet standing still AND softness.
Three minutes of this is enough at a time.
You can also teach this by using lead rope - pull it gentle to one side, and look for the same reactions as above. It will help a lot when you are using your reins when riding and it'll feel similiar.
Don't over bend - just a little will do.
Imagine you're riding on a circle.
You want your horse to look in a little, so his neck his bending the same way the circle is.
You pick up your inside rein lightly.
Bingo, horse gently arcs his nck in.
HOW TO DO THIS
Have a headcollar & lead rope on your horse
Stand at his shoulder, looking the same way he is looking (so both of you are looking straight ahead).
Put your outside hand over the front of his nose, when the noseband would lie.
Pull the nose VERY gently towards you.
You are hoping your horse will not move, and will turn his head a little towards you.
If your horse does this (EVEN A TINY TINY movement towards you) release your hand IMMEDiATELY. take it AWAY from your horses nose and head COMPLETELY. This is your horses reward for doing as you ask.
If you ask your horse to turn his head toward you a little, and he looks confused, keeps his neck and head looking ahead, and starts to walk slowly backwards, keep your hand on his nose, and walk backwards with him.
Seriously. Stay at your horses shoulder and walk slowly backwards with him, your hand still on his nose.
Two steps, ten steps, or perhaps half a paddock backwards later (at a slow walk, no stress or anything, relax and enjoy it!) your horse will stop, and give a little, turngin his head towards you.
When you feel that moment of SOFTNESS (you have to concentrate) its when your horse relaxes his neck muscles and you can feel it in your hand that he's not trying to pull away from your hand any more) then release IMMEDIATELY take your hand COMPLETELY away.
Good job. Rest, relax, rub horses shoulder or scratch his withers.
Now repeat. ONLY take that hand off his nose when you get four feet standing still AND softness.
Three minutes of this is enough at a time.
You can also teach this by using lead rope - pull it gentle to one side, and look for the same reactions as above. It will help a lot when you are using your reins when riding and it'll feel similiar.
Don't over bend - just a little will do.