Training Western Pleasure Horses

OBJECTIVE: Develop self-carriage. Let the horse learn how to rate her speed. Let her learn how to carry her neck level with her topline.

This exercise is extremely simple and easy to do, yet it is very important. It is an exercise that will test your commitment and your patience. Few people have the self-discipline to do the hundreds or thousands of repetitions needed to make this exercise effective.

When you jog a horse in a circle or serpentine, she naturally steps under herself more deeply with her hind leg and drops her head. This is something we can use.

It is also more work for the horse to travel in circles or to change directions as for a serpentine. The horse

THE PROCEDURE:

Begin trotting. Let the horse trot naturally, with a little drape in the reins.

Cue the horse to begin a circle. When you rein, rein with small gentle bumps and release all pressure the very moment the horse turns. Do not "guide" the horse constantly with the reins.

Keep the horse turning until you feel her slow down even just a little bit. At the very moment you feel her slow down, let her go straight. Going straight is a reward.

As the horse goes straight, she will begin to pick up speed again. At the very moment she speeds up, cue her to do another circle or change of direction. Then the very moment she slows down, let her go straight.

It is just that simple. However, it must be done hundreds or thousands of times, over a period of months!