Page 58 - ST November 2013

education

sees the bridle and can’t wait to be bridled! Use the Go slow. This will help you have better ‘feel’ and

treat every time you bridle for several sessions, and more sensitivity to your horse’s responses.
then intermittently. You want to make sure you can Pressure motivates and release teaches. Horses

bridle your horse without a treat too.
learn through ‘release,’ which is why it’s important

to release the moment your horse tries to give the ap-
propriate response. Make sure you release smoothly
3. Teach your horse to reach into the bit using “bit
isolations.”
so it’s not a surprise - more like a softening. Patience

Many horses get upset when they feel the bit move is the most important element when teaching your
and end up avoiding it or ighting it. So it is impor- horse, so wait, Wait, WAIT for the appropriate

tant to teach your horse to stretch forward and down response; don’t force it. This is especially important

into the feel of the bit. Think of it like holding hands when teaching something new to your horse.
with someone. when you reach for them, you want

them to reach back to you.
Progress: How to proceed

Put your ingers into the rings of the snale and Ride your horse with a halter and snap reins
gently begin lifting it upwards into the corners of the (Finesse Reins) and the snale bridle over the top.

horse’s lips towards his ears (as opposed to down on This will get your horse used to the feel of wearing

the bars of the mouth). Even though he may lift his the bit irst, but without using it. After a few sessions,
head at irst, move his jaw, or even throw his tongue including allowing him to eat some grass with a bit in

around, wait until he tries to push towards the bit. his mouth, you’ll be ready to snap the reins onto the

The moment he does, release the pressure and wait bit and ride with it.
for him to process what just happened: sigh, lick his Here’s your checklist: In the hackamore, your horse

lips, etc. Remember to reward the slightest try. Even yields softly and does not brace, resist, fear or ight

if you thought he tried to push but he didn’t, still against the rein when you ask for.
release. it’s better than missing his irst attempts.
Lateral lexion
✓
Repeat these bit isolations until it becomes an auto- ✓ Hindquarter disengagement

matic response; take the time it takes, which means ✓ Backing up
don’t rush. This is an important investment in your If so, go ahead. Snap the reins onto the bit and ride

horse’s conidence and understanding.
as usual; don’t change how you have already been

communicating. Your horse will not have trouble if
4. Using the reins, teach your horse to follow a feel.
you use feel when handling the reins, being as smooth

Stand in Zone 3 and ask for.
and clear as possible. Now you need to move forward

• Lateral lexion.
with your training program, advancing through the
• Hindquarter disengagement: lift the rein
Levels in both FreeStyle and Finesse.

upwards and press your horse in Zone 3 with
Always handle your reins with sensitivity. Be

your hand, as if it were your leg.
smooth and clear, ‘feeling’ for their understanding.
• Hold both reins and ask your horse to back up

a little.
Problem-Solving

• Do this from both sides and repeat it a few
The horse braces against the bit.
times to make sure your horse can calmly • Find the point at which your horse braces or

respond and has a clear understanding of what resists, and wait until he softens. The mistake

to do. It does not need to be perfect!
we often make is taking more and making
This is about yielding to steady pressure (Porcupine the horse yield, but this can frighten him and

Game), so remember to apply pressure gently, in cause more braciness. When you wait for the
“phases”: starting with the softest Phase 1 and slowly horse to soften, it will be his idea and there-

going to Phase 2. If you have to go to Phase 3, keep fore he’ll be more likely to look for that same

the pressure the same and wait for your horse to ind solution each time. In fact, any time you feel
his way to release. don’t keep taking more, or your your horse brace, hold right there and wait for

horse could get upset. Just wait for the right response him to soften.

(he moves backwards) and release when you get it.

56 | Savvy Times November 2013