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The ABCs of Having a Supple Trail Horse
by Bonnie Ebsen-Jackson |
“Why would my horse need to learn any dressage moves? I really don’t have time for that. Besides, all we want to do is mosey on down the trail together…” I can already hear the moans and sighs. The truth is, a supple and flexible equine that yields to leg and rein pressure is the basis of many different disciplines, from reining to polo, and from endurance to—yes, “high school” dressage.
A. Adjust the Attitude
Getting a horse to tune in and listen to your cues begins in the mind, on the ground, and hopefully at an early age. Yielding to pressure is a learned response. Young horses instinctively push back when pressure is applied to their bodies. Only when they learn the consequences of the unfavorable behavior—uncomfortable pressure that they can’t evade—and the rewards of the correct response—release of pressure, perhaps some “grooming” and massage—do they learn to acquiesce to the cue to move over.
When opening and shutting a gate on the trail, does your horse just stand there blocking the passage of the other equestrians in your group while you slap and punch at him to move? Here is an exercise to practice, first off your horse and then in the saddle, that will teach him to yield to your request for lateral movement. |
“When you begin a program to supple your horse on the trail, it’s a wise idea to ride with a knowledgeable “buddy” who can monitor your progress and give you feedback.” |
Exercise #1 – Move him
On the trail, when you get to a gate, get off, and line your horse up parallel to the fence, facing the gate latch. Standing between fence and horse, apply pressure to the horse’s hindquarters just behind the hip, while holding his head firmly to restrain his front end. Keep the pressure constantly increasing until he takes his first step away from you. Immediately release pressure, and then apply it again until he moves again. Follow his hind end as it moves in a half circle around his front end, a move called “turning on the forehand.” Once you have mastered the basics of this with your horse, be sure to practice it whenever you come to a gate or fence to line up against.
Next, graduate to in the saddle. Let’s say you arrive at a “rider friendly” gate, the kind you can open with one hand from the saddle. Your horse will have to cooperate with this maneuver by sidepassing (yielding to your leg pressure) over to where you can easily reach and open the gate. To perform the exercise, line your horse up parallel with the fence, with the wrong hand closest to the gate. Apply leg pressure, while controlling your horse’s front end, until the horse yields sideways to make the half circle again. Now he has put you within reach of the gate handle with your good hand. See if you can unlatch the gate and continue holding it while you maneuver your horse with leg yields through the gate and again sidle up to it for easy latching. You may have to let go several times, but at least now you have a goal to shoot for . |
“Yielding to pressure is a learned response.
Young horses instinctively push back when
pressure is applied to their bodies.”
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B. Build in Control
The ability to bend your horse from side to side is critical to maintaining control of him on the trail. A horse that won’t yield his head is one that will brace against the rein, causing a massive breakdown in communication between horse and rider—usually when it is most disastrous. Here is a simple exercise to increase your horse’s suppleness when moving along a straight piece of trail. It can also be done in any flat field or stretch of terrain.
Exercise #2 – Bend him
As you ride along at an energetic walk, reach down and shorten the right rein, bringing your horse’s head around slightly to the side. At the same time, apply leg pressure on the right side so that you are “bending the horse around your leg.” Relax the rein slowly and shorten the other rein. Apply pressure on the opposite side until the horse bends and then relax the aids.
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If you are moving through shrubbery, you’ll find small bushes great for bending around. As you employ the bushes and other obstacles, keep in mind that bending and turning are two separate things. Thus, you can bend a horse while walking in a straight line (i.e. without turning him) or you can turn a horse while keeping his spine straight, bending him (curving his spine) into the turn, or counter-bending him (curving his spine away from the turn.) |
C. Convex the Back
Many horses get used to just ambling down the trail any which way, their backs hollow, necks “ewed,” and back legs “camped out” behind them. True, they may have conformation flaws that predispose them to such postures, but proper riding can help counteract these tendencies and help strengthen a horse’s structural alignment.
Exercise #3 – Lift him
As you come to a ravine or other descent in the trail, shorten your reins in order to control your horse’s front end. At the same time, sit deeply in the saddle with weight shifted slightly back, and squeeze your legs and seat. Feel as if your legs are lifting the horse’s back and rounding out the hollowness. Ask your horse to walk steadily down into the ravine, and back up the other side, with each stride supported by his stomach and back muscles. This is an excellent strengthening and conditioning exercise, particularly if your horse has a long back or is weak in the loin area..
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“Ask your horse to walk steadily down into the ravine, and back up the other side, with each stride supported by his stomach and back muscles. This is an excellent strengthening and conditioning exercise, particularly if your horse has a long back or is weak in the loin area.” |
When you begin a program to supple your horse on the trail, it’s a wise idea to ride with a knowledgeable “buddy” who can monitor your progress and give you feedback. As always, be proactive about your own safety; wear protective riding gear and tune into possible hazards that working your animal in a particular environment might present.
Practicing these three exercises along the trail won’t take much away from your enjoyment of recreational riding, and may even enhance you experience as your horse learns to tune in to your cues, improves his responsiveness, and develops greater strength and self-carriage along the trail.
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