| On the surface the principles of getting a horse to | | | | They do not respond well to the same cue being for |
| move and getting him to stop may appear directly | | | | two or more different tasks. So change your habit |
| opposed to each other. Both are immensely important | | | | because if you don't, the horse will think 'whoa' means |
| in horse riding and training, depending on the situation, | | | | to slow down. The next thing to change is to ensure |
| and both principles aid in teaching the other. In other | | | | that you are very black and white in your instructions. |
| words, getting a horse to go forward is critical in | | | | When you say 'whoa' and you want him to stop, then |
| teaching him to stop and vice versa. | | | | he needs to stop - period! So here's a tip to ensure |
| Firstly, what does it 'really' mean to stop? Stopping | | | | that our horse learns this important skill. It order to get |
| means: 'Quit moving, drop dead, right here, right now, | | | | your horse to finish his stop and stop when you say |
| don't go 'til I say, etc.' As you can see, stopping is very | | | | 'whoa', get him to back up immediately on completing |
| black and white. Stopping isn't slowing down. Stopping | | | | the stop. |
| isn't leaning to take a step once you've stopped. | | | | Backing up immediately on completion of the stop |
| Stopping is not moving. Stopping is stopping. So it is | | | | assists the horse to learn that they are not going to be |
| essential that your horse understand what stopping | | | | immediately moving forward. When you say 'whoa' |
| means. | | | | they know that you going to ask them to take a step |
| It order to teach your horse to stop, you must first | | | | or two back. An added bonus of this technique is that |
| examine your own behavior. In other words, when | | | | it actually gets their backend under them, which has |
| you're on your horse and he's moving a little too fast | | | | the effect of getting their front end lighter, which |
| for you, what do you do? Do you say, 'Whoa' when | | | | enables them to move left or right with greater ease, |
| you want him to slow down? If so what do you say | | | | because it's a more athletic position. It is important to |
| when you want them to stop? So, do NOT say 'whoa' | | | | remember that a horse stops well is the result of good |
| unless you want him to stop. | | | | habits on behalf of his rider, and effect and clear |
| This habit causes confusion to the horse, remember | | | | communication between rider and horse. |
| they are creatures of habit and learn through repetition. | | | | |