| I am sure we have all had the experience of a | | | | We often communicate with ourselves |
| computer that has crashed or even smoked and failed | | | | sub-consciously, by moving various fingers or limbs |
| to work at the most inconvenient time. Unfortunately | | | | from time to time. This is because our operating |
| this is a fact of life with computers and machinery, | | | | system has been installed, tested and refined over a |
| sometimes the just fail to work. Theses experiences | | | | period of time through consistent repetition. In order to |
| with computer are usually followed by the dreaded | | | | install an operating system in your horse you require a |
| thought of what happened to my work or data, 'Did I | | | | basic understanding of the use of reins, their effect |
| back it up?. | | | | upon the snaffle bit and how they guide your horse. |
| Sometimes there is a need to replace all the software. | | | | Take for example the 'direct rein' (leading rein), as the |
| Imagine if that happened for your horse. Just as | | | | name implies it is directly connected to the horse and is |
| software is the brains and operating system for your | | | | used to teach lateral flexion. During the initial stages of |
| computer, basic ground work and halter training are the | | | | teaching your horse to flex you take the 'direct rein' |
| operating software for your horse. Without the basic | | | | mid way between the horse's eye and your hip. This |
| operating system your horse will lock up just like a | | | | allows the horse t see the rein. Within a short period of |
| computer. | | | | time your horse will see your hand coming and will |
| So in order to install your horse's operating system you | | | | know what to do, this is called pre-cueing or |
| need to imagine your horse divided into four parts; | | | | pre-teaching. However, be careful not to allow your |
| head and neck, shoulders, barrel (ribs) and the | | | | horse to anticipate the movement required. You can |
| hindquarters. Now the installation of the operating | | | | use similar techniques when teaching your horse other |
| system is all about communicating with your horse as | | | | rein effects especially the 'indirect rein' or neck rein. |
| to how you want him to move each of these parts. | | | | |