| Horse Training can have two different approaches. | | | | the horse and it's movements - without worrying about |
| One is to accomplish a minimum level fast and say | | | | you giving the right cues at the right time. |
| "good enough is enough." The other one is to strive for | | | | The real advantage is, that you can train the horse |
| a level of "finesse" - where good enough is not | | | | with minimal pressure. When you train a stop, you just |
| enough. I strongly believe in the second approach. | | | | quit walking and let the horse walk into the pressure. |
| In a different article I described the value of finesse for | | | | You will within a very short time have a very nice stop. |
| "leading the horse". The next logical step in this | | | | A turn of your hand holding the lines will very soon be |
| approach would be to work the horse with the same | | | | enough to produce the movement or reaction you |
| goal in long lines. | | | | want. |
| You will need a confined area like a round pen or a | | | | Where does the finesse come in? |
| square pen. And you will also need a surcingle and a | | | | The start of the finesse is the turn of your hand. This |
| set of two long lines to do this. You will run the long | | | | requires your full concentration on the horse and in turn |
| lines through the rings in the surcingle and attach them | | | | the full concentration of the horse on your signals. |
| to the halter. You start by just following the horse and | | | | But this is just the start. Once the horse has learned to |
| eventually will remain in the center while the horse is | | | | respond to the slight line signals you can take it one |
| going around you in circles. | | | | step further - and do that with one hand. It is kind of |
| You can with your lines walk the horse, stop the horse | | | | hard to describe, but you basically let the horse take |
| and back the horse. Once you have the basic line | | | | the line it needs in the turns. This is a very high level of |
| signals established, you can work the horse through all | | | | connection between you and the horse - and a heck a |
| gaits. You also can make the horse turn at any spot in | | | | lot of fun. |
| the pen. You can go half the rails, turn to the center | | | | But you want to be aware that this will take you a lot |
| and change directions on the other side. Eventually you | | | | of time to learn to handle the lines that way. But it will |
| can have the horse do figure eights. | | | | also take the horse a long time to reach that level. |
| What is so special about that? | | | | Training the horse should not aim at the famous "30 |
| One advantage is, that can you can do this with young | | | | day wonder". Training the horse should aim at |
| horses - before they are able to carry a rider. The | | | | excellence and finesse. Both, you and your horse will |
| other advantage is, that you can totally concentrate on | | | | benefit greatly from it. |