| An interesting fact that most riders fail to appreciate is | | | | and grip the top of your right hand with your left hand |
| that you can get a horse to stop by simply 'stop riding'. | | | | just enough so that when you relax your left arm, your |
| You see, there's an powerful phenomenon in the | | | | hand stays on your right hand. |
| horse's brain that's useful to us horsey people, and that | | | | Now move your right hand in a circular motion (similar |
| is a horse will generally move with our motion and not | | | | to that of riding your horse), and see how quickly your |
| know or be concerned as to why. | | | | right arm begins to tire. Now, whilst continuing the |
| So if you are actively riding your horse (not just sitting | | | | above motion don't just let your left hand rest on your |
| as a lump in the saddle) but instead you're actually | | | | right but get it to follow the motion of the right hand. |
| moving your body and hips rhythmically), then your | | | | You can see the difference it makes to the easy of |
| horse will move, and conversely if you quit, your horse | | | | motion in the right hand, this is liken to the effect of |
| will sense that and generally quit too. If he doesn't quit | | | | actually riding your horse as opposed to just sitting like |
| he can be taught to. | | | | a lump in the saddle. So if you actively ride your horse |
| This is a vital point in training and working with horses, | | | | and then stop riding your horse can quickly appreciate |
| because your relationship with your horse strengthens | | | | the difference and will learn to stop when you stop |
| anytime you don't have to pull on you horse. The more | | | | riding. Conversely, you should begin to ride when you |
| you pull on your horse the more unwilling he will | | | | want your horse to move. This exercise will allow you |
| become to learn and cooperate with you. | | | | to remove the urge to pull on your horse's mouth |
| So teaching your horse to stop when you quit riding | | | | through the reins. |
| greatly assist in building a trusting relationship between | | | | So think about this, if your horse is slow to move or |
| horse and rider. To demonstrate the powerfulness of | | | | stops after a few steps, the reason maybe that you |
| this advice, you can do the following exercise. | | | | aren't riding, your just taking up room and adding |
| Hold your right hand, palm down, out in front of you. | | | | weight in the saddle. |
| Then place your left hand "on top" of your right hand, | | | | |