tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56105956724598676762024-03-12T20:23:13.662-07:00~ ~ Reining Training Tips ~ ~Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-50655031574275240832023-02-16T10:15:00.007-08:002023-02-17T14:37:15.320-08:00Fundamental Reining Training - a new book!<p> I finally did it! I published a reining training handbook!<br /></p><p>Fundamental Reining Training I is the first of a two book series outlining a training program for the reining horse that can also apply to most other disciplines. Available in paperback or eBook.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Fundamental-Reining-Training-Step-step/dp/B0BVD9DM9C" target="_blank">Click here to buy Fundamental Reining Training I</a><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7bdRtXLd1bVQn0rm7MtOzR3qQJ6olzkJYAJG5vLxR_lr2S8n37uedZqG7dm3_W4M2-gRkTOUyqJIBlwrPIWs8HD-p2ZIBe4uhd9npbROQcNMBbRHjqZXwHyzL84aQHJ5APmMBkApCUfrAd5ZNmegGMNk5QHM2s0fYGT76kwfKZ0p8fkL6gbPxlG-/s184/Cover%20eBook.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="116" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7bdRtXLd1bVQn0rm7MtOzR3qQJ6olzkJYAJG5vLxR_lr2S8n37uedZqG7dm3_W4M2-gRkTOUyqJIBlwrPIWs8HD-p2ZIBe4uhd9npbROQcNMBbRHjqZXwHyzL84aQHJ5APmMBkApCUfrAd5ZNmegGMNk5QHM2s0fYGT76kwfKZ0p8fkL6gbPxlG-/s1600/Cover%20eBook.jpg" width="116" /></a></div><p></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-31173787477889484492014-01-14T10:00:00.001-08:002023-02-16T10:08:05.283-08:00Handbooks for Reiners PromotionAt home help for your reining horse!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxKN4-Uo2V-epAS8LyjINochyphenhyphenY4bUyu-_2p1LHAe7YZgTAKS98AQh_rTNIvOO86i0kAY36awcG7aTcrG22dMmhNHSzrnKoptHJ0mkoFbQnpROROfGi17iZBsUL01eOEpnkdrjusgS2c/s1600/CoverLittleWolfPizap.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxKN4-Uo2V-epAS8LyjINochyphenhyphenY4bUyu-_2p1LHAe7YZgTAKS98AQh_rTNIvOO86i0kAY36awcG7aTcrG22dMmhNHSzrnKoptHJ0mkoFbQnpROROfGi17iZBsUL01eOEpnkdrjusgS2c/s200/CoverLittleWolfPizap.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZORZ90">Click here for Spin Fixes</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe6d7u7VoCyEJ-zAAaWbtre1xzXK7pGjpNQXDsRkz4REBfXQq1ahWCUCwKSyZhLRCy_BqCntZmwWUUjtS_gKpMxn0tSGPAmdimhhevV5Bhut80MwNT2kKoqUbLfYMSErC2zuxdQ44Jg8/s1600/Cover+Wolf+piZap6.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe6d7u7VoCyEJ-zAAaWbtre1xzXK7pGjpNQXDsRkz4REBfXQq1ahWCUCwKSyZhLRCy_BqCntZmwWUUjtS_gKpMxn0tSGPAmdimhhevV5Bhut80MwNT2kKoqUbLfYMSErC2zuxdQ44Jg8/s200/Cover+Wolf+piZap6.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HT8B7ZI" target="_blank">Click here for Stop Fixes</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Both are available in paperback as well at Amazon.com. I love the printed copy but the eBook edition is accessible on iphone, ipad etc for ease-of-use in the arena.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-65570151585433854052013-09-13T16:06:00.000-07:002013-09-13T16:06:36.789-07:00Stop Fix #15: Longer Sliding Stops<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The
horse stops correctly but does not slide far.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem
happen?</b> </div>
1. The horse does not possess the conformation to hold a
slide for a distance.<br />
2. The horse "vees" and therefore has to pick up
his feet. (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/03/stop-fix-9-correct-crooked-stop.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #10: Correct a "Vee" Slide</a>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
3. The horse slides crooked (to the side) and therefore has
to pick up is feet. (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/03/stop-fix-9-correct-crooked-stop.html" target="_blank">Stop fix #9: Correct a Crooked Stop</a>)<br />
4. The horse is not confident enough to stay in the slide
for a distance.<br />
5. The ground is not conducive to long slides.<br />
6. The horse is not shod correctly.<br />
7. The rider is not assisting the horse to slide a distance.<br />
8. The horse is not running fast enough to the stop to slide
a distance.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this
problem</b>:</div>
1. If my horse is not built to stop long distances, I cannot
expect him to.<br />
2. If my horse "vees" when he stops, I correct
that problem before I ask him to slide any great distance.<br />
3. If my horse slides crooked, I correct the crookedness
before I ask for long slides.<br />
4. If my horse is frightened about stopping, I know I must
re-establish trust before I ask for long slides.<br />
5. I do not ask my horse to stop on poor ground. I go to
good ground or correct the ground in my arena.<br />
6. If there is a problem with my horse's sliders, I call my
farrier.<br />
7. I check myself (body posture, hands, etc) to make sure I
am helping, not hindering my horse's stop.<br />
8. If all of the above are correct, I will ask for more
accelerated speed in the rundown to the stop. If my horse is not accustomed to
stopping from a faster rundown, he may need time to adapt.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: It is important
to understand that the horse must learn to stop correctly and at slow speeds
before he is asked to stop with the speed required to slide 30 feet or more!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmaS3sA5XUy-oo-4LBSGfy5OvkWXycHRu5wNxFVDz-IWXiEhBJRjGuAI_Ka5dqv04i0XsIaqFDJsS0FuTekQx13qyjxJcSJxaegtJMUh3KAOywd2EoGqGPPuzjqB-d4GOV9FnxeaNQdk/s1600/Champagne+closeup+stop+cl.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmaS3sA5XUy-oo-4LBSGfy5OvkWXycHRu5wNxFVDz-IWXiEhBJRjGuAI_Ka5dqv04i0XsIaqFDJsS0FuTekQx13qyjxJcSJxaegtJMUh3KAOywd2EoGqGPPuzjqB-d4GOV9FnxeaNQdk/s400/Champagne+closeup+stop+cl.tif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-52721357602778953192013-06-02T14:27:00.000-07:002013-06-03T07:26:07.186-07:00Stop Fix #14: Correct "Scotching"<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse anticipates a stop and "scotches" (repeatedly tries to stop) on the rundown. This results in a poor stop because the horse has slowed down before the stop and has lost the frame – his balance has shifted from back to front and he has lost the momentum for a nice slide.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> If my horse is trying to shut down all the way to the stop, it's for one of two reasons:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
1. He has been stopped in the same spot too many times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
2. He has become sour about the rundown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem</b>: I lope a lot of straight lines end to end of the arena without stopping in schooling sessions, even more if I know my horse wants to scotch in the rundown to the stop. When he is running freely without thinking about stopping, then (and only then) I ask for a nice stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Another valuable exercise to correct this problem is fencing (See Exercise 2 in <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/stop-fix-1-straighten-rundown.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown</a> because "scotching" is a rundown problem and fencing fixes rundowns. This is how I do it: I run my horse all the way to the fence and let the fence stop him. If he tries to slow down in the rundown, I keep him running with my voice ("cluck"), body (ride!) and legs (bump) - firm but never harsh correction. (If I am too harsh, he will become afraid to stop.) Then I let him rest at the fence a minute, facing the fence. I repeat this, back and forth to the fence, until he goes all the way to the fence without trying to stop. Then I either let him rest a long time at the fence and repeat or I quit for the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: The value of a horse willingly increasing speed to a rundown is enormous.<span class="text"> If he anticipates the stop and tries to stop on his own or if he slows down before a stop, his stop will be rough. When he accelerates, his balance is on his hind quarters and he is already in stopping position before he is asked to stop; if he scotches (slows down) his balance shifts to the front, he loses the momentum he needs for a nice slide and the stop will be bracey.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="text"></span></i><span class="text">Note: </span>It's important in schooling to find different places in the arena to stop because the horse remembers where he has stopped. Then he may anticipate and try to stop early.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-36862837718855297462013-05-27T15:22:00.003-07:002014-01-12T07:44:55.927-08:00Stop Fix #13: Accelerate to the Stop<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse resists the rider's request to increase speed into the stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> Unless there is some physical reason the horse cannot accelerate to the stop, the only reason he doesn't is because he doesn't want to and doesn't respond when his rider asks. This happens because the horse has not been taught to accelerate when the rider asks or possibly because he has been stopped hard too much (he is sour).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem</b>: If my horse does not accelerate in the rundown, the stop will be compromised. His stride will flatten and his weight will be more on the front, which means he will hit the ground hard when he stops. Although I don't want him running like a race horse (he might be thinking more of running than of stopping and ignore me), he must have some acceleration so his shoulders are elevated and his hind legs are well under him. In this position, he is capable of a nice long slide.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<u>Exercise:</u> Since the key to acceleration is to increase speed just a little every two or three strides in the rundown, I want to school my horse that way so that he responds when I ask in the show pen. One of the best ways to do this is to lope lots of straight lines with no stops in training sessions, sometimes asking for accelerated speed, sometimes not. I want my horse to begin to accelerate just a few strides into the rundown but I make sure he is collected and straight before I ask. Then I start riding deeper and deeper in the saddle all the way down the pen and let him run. (This is important – I must <em>allow</em> my horse to run if I am asking him to run!) If he does not increase speed with my body rhythm, I "cluck" to him and back it up with a bump with both legs if he does not respond to the "cluck". Of course I don't want my horse simply running with no collection and his head in the air. If that happens I will fix that first, asking him to give to the bridle and drive with his hind quarters (basic collection). If my horse has been well schooled, I can accomplish that in the first few strides of the rundown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
If I am consistent about this program, it will only take a "cluck" to remind him in the show pen. The object is for him to 1. Wait for me to ask and 2. Believe me when I ask.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Every horse has an optimum acceleration at which he can stop. It's important to know how fast my horse should be running for a smooth, controlled stop. If the horse is not strong enough to stop from a powerful, fast rundown, asking him to do so will surely result in a trashed stop.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
A good seat is important to a controlled, accelerated rundown. If I sit on "on my pockets" (not forward), with my shoulders squared and my rein hand forward riding every stride deeper and deeper, I will not only encourage a great rundown but will also be in a great position for the stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: One thing I see happen is the rider waiting too long to ask for acceleration into the stop. Half way down the pen is too far! As soon as my horse is collected and straight I ask him to increase speed – gradually! (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/02/stop-fix-3-correct-break-and-run-rundown.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #3: Correct Break and Run Rundown</a> if increasing speed gradually is a problem).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-57355303301677038522013-04-30T11:49:00.000-07:002014-01-24T20:10:09.838-08:00Stop Fix #12: Wait to be Asked<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The
horse executes a sliding stop but anticipates and initiates a rollback, which
results in a downgraded maneuver score or even a zero score.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem
happen? </b>If the horse rolls back after a stop without being asked once, I can
attribute it to mental error. If he makes a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">habit</i>
of anticipating a rollback after a stop, it's time to correct the problem.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: A horse can
catch a rider by surprise with an uncalled-for rollback. It's happened to me!
Sometimes that happens because the rider has schooled stop/rollback too much
just prior to the performance.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this
problem</b>: I do not want my horse to ever anticipate a rollback. From the
beginning I train my horse to wait for me to ask – whatever the next maneuver
is. That way I am always in control. I do not "practice" rollbacks
much either. He knows all the parts anyway and if he is responding only to my
requests, he will have no difficulty executing pretty rollbacks in the pen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Exercise</u></b>:
If my horse is a little too anxious to roll back after I stop him, I school him
like this: Anywhere in the arena (up and down the arena or diagonal), I run him
down and stop him. After he stops, I don’t release my body aid. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That tells him to be prepared for something
else and that he should wait to hear what I want</i>! (My hands will clear that
up for him.) I might back him up and then rollback either left or right (not
necessarily the direction my horse thinks it will be). Then I switch it up –
lots! Sometimes I stop, back up and rollback to right: sometimes I stop, back
up and rollback to the left; sometimes I stop, hesitate a long time, rollback;
sometimes I stop back up and relax; sometimes I just stop and rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Stop/back
up/rollback is never included in a pattern but that doesn't matter – this is about
schooling my horse to wait to be asked. Backing up before a rollback (in
schooling) gives me a chance to align his body if it is not aligned in the stop
as well. I can make sure everything is correct before I ask for a rollback.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My horses pick this up very fast. When they do, it's a great
feeling – almost a game – mixing it up and feeling my horse waiting for my
signal for the next maneuver after the stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-27785081959186527252013-04-15T09:34:00.000-07:002014-01-24T20:10:35.107-08:00Stop Fix #11: No Skipping!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse begins stop correctly, but does not stay in the slide. He picks hind legs up and puts them down again like a stone skipping on water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> Probably the number one reason a horse skips in the slide is the rider. If the rider's timing is not good or unsure, the horse's timing will not be either. The horse feels "stop, don't stop, stop, don't stop, etc" and so that's how he slides – in the ground, out of the ground, etc. If the rider gets ahead of his horse and then throws his shoulders back with one sudden movement for the stop, the horse may skip as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Skipping may occur if the horse is not confident enough to commit to the ground or if he is not capable of staying in the ground when the stop is approached with great speed. (I once saw a "longest slide" contest at a reining show and many of the horses skipped because the riders, trying to win the contest, had asked with maximum speed.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem</b>: If I, the rider, am causing the problem, I can correct that. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don't</i> want to ride forward in the rundown and suddenly throw my shoulders back when I want to stop. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> want my shoulders to be behind the motion in the rundown and when I prepare to stop so my horse is running out ahead of me. If I ride every stride, getting deeper and deeper in the saddle in the rundown, then all I need to do is push into the stirrups, sit down, lock my back and say "whoa".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If I can find nothing wrong with my position and my horse still skips, I must slow things down and review his basic training. All the basic requirements for a correct rundown and a correct approach to the stop come into play – straight and soft in the rundown, wants to stop, will stop without rein pressure, will accept rein pressure if needed – to achieve a sliding stop with no skipping. If these things are not solid, I school my horse until they are. Then my job, as the rider, is to deliver a very clear, consistent message to my horse for the stop. If I believe, he will.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another exercise that may help is fencing (See explanation of fencing in Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown) because it can teach the horse to break at the loin and become more committed to the stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-29209019837279760452013-04-08T08:02:00.000-07:002015-07-11T21:33:59.727-07:00Stop Fix #10: Correct a "Vee" Slide<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse's hind legs spread wider as he slides, creating a “vee” until he picks up one foot to regain balance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> The reasons a horse's hind legs spread when he slides are:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Conformation</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Shoeing</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. The horse stops too hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOl8hknOeWfAcWtjhO9ZydbBa5LDq-pZu3rdsFVU6iVUJXS2UBWHTFgSjCTJJmCQI-gZMApLqjd79ZJ9bYVS9CFfV9hUktLmY7S45xIvwJj6o8TQmIPeCmQ95tENf0zDZh5M3MT9H4xo/s1600/Example+Vee+Slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOl8hknOeWfAcWtjhO9ZydbBa5LDq-pZu3rdsFVU6iVUJXS2UBWHTFgSjCTJJmCQI-gZMApLqjd79ZJ9bYVS9CFfV9hUktLmY7S45xIvwJj6o8TQmIPeCmQ95tENf0zDZh5M3MT9H4xo/s400/Example+Vee+Slide.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of "Vee" Slide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem</b>: The first thing I consider if a horse slides a "vee" is his conformation. If his hind legs/feet point to the outside (toe out) then that is surely where his legs will go in a slide. They will start to spread as soon as he sits down for the slide and the longer the slide, the more they will spread until he has to come out of the slide to bring them back together. This kind of horse can be helped by a good farrier turning the sliding plate a little to the inside on the foot (straight with the world). Corrective shoeing may be all it takes to correct the problem!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other thing to consider if a horse "vees" in the slide is the inside muscle of the hind legs. Good inside muscling holds the horse straight in the slide; conversely, poor muscling in that area can allow the legs to spread.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If the horse's conformation is all right and the sliders are properly positioned and he still slides a "vee", I work on getting the horse to 'soften' his stop. He may be going to the ground so hard that his hind legs spread.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Exercise:</u></b> I don't stop at speed until I correct the problem at slower speeds. I may not go back to a trot/stop (depending on how deviated the mistake is), but I need to at least go back to stopping at a collected lope and then work up to big stops with speed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a rider, I must also be very aware of the signals I give to my horse when I want him to stop. Am I possibly sitting down <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</i> hard?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Is the ground good? If it is too slippery or too deep, it could make the problem worse.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a mental aspect to this problem, too, so if the horse is not relaxed about his work, I work on that. I must be relaxed as well if I want him to soften his approach to the ground, and very consistent with my rider aids. If he is a good stopping horse (wants to stop, built to stop and tries hard), he already likes his work. I just want him to mellow a bit. This horse (as opposed to the one who doesn't want to stop) has the confidence to stop. I don't want to take that away but I want to encourage him to "enjoy the slide". I want to show him that he does not have to complete the stop in ten feet.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: A horse will not ever be able to slide 30 feet if he "vees" and even if he picks up a foot and goes back into the slide, the maneuver will be downgraded.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-57517731856106726892013-03-25T09:42:00.001-07:002015-07-11T21:33:59.731-07:00Stop Fix #9: Correct a Crooked Stop<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse’s hind quarters slide to the side when he stops.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> This is an alignment problem originating in the horse's shoulder. If his shoulder bulges, his hind quarters may slide to the side when he stops because he is trying to compensate. He swings his hips off the straight line in the slide, often picking up the outside hind leg as the weight comes off of it. Also, if a horse stops crooked like this, it's going to affect the next maneuver as well – the roll back or back up. He is not in a good position to execute either one well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
A horse is more likely to be out of alignment in the stop and to stop crooked if his withers are lower than his hips, a problem often seen in immature horses i.e. three year olds. Sometimes a horse will not even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">try</i> to stop if he is built like this because he is hurting!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
A crooked stop can also be a confidence thing going to the fence. If the horse is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">worried</i> about hitting the fence, he might come out of alignment, push his shoulder out and stop crooked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem</b>: If my horse swings his hind quarters to one side or the other when he stops (as opposed to his whole body being crooked), I check him first for soreness or alignment problems. (A good equine therapist can help me here.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
If my horse is well-schooled in all the basics, I can help him, too, by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">riding</i> him straight (correcting any alignment problems) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">riding</i> him into position. The more correct my horse is in the rundown and the stop, the less likely he is to slide crooked. I want his neck to be low (because if he raises it, his back will hollow and he will not be able to use his hind quarters effectively) and every part of his body in a line (because if it isn't, the crookedness is magnified when he stops!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Exercise</u></b>: I review the basic stop at a trot and lope, paying particular attention to what he does with his hind quarters. If he slides to the side, I wait until he is completely stopped and then I correct him. Example: He stops and throws his hip to the right (his shoulder may be to the left). When he has ceased all motion, I re-align his left shoulder and push his hip back to center with my left leg so he is aligned; then I rest. I must do that every time he stops and swings a hip out. This simple exercise may help the problem although it does not substitute for a perfectly aligned rundown to a perfectly aligned stop. I had a chance to test this correction many years ago. A gelding came to me who moved his hindquarters to the side every time he stopped. Every time he did, I moved the hindquarters back and rested. I knew I was winning when he stopped with his hindquarters to the side but moved back to straight <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before </i>I corrected. I showed him for a few years and he never did it again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
If the problem surfaces while fencing the horse (<a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/stop-fix-1-straighten-rundown.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown</a>), I lope back and forth to the fence many, many times until he relaxes and his hips align with the rest of his body.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The crooked stop probably starts in the rundown if the horse is "crabbing" – running straight but with a crooked body (right hind falling on left front). If he approaches a stop like this, the stop is going to be crooked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: If the horse is young, he may grow out of this problem as his body matures and he grows more withers.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQl1IUsgyEpGGqJJJ2WMyUFprbNpCsDbA7jT_RkXpcGOVgxbB-_ZTigarzqps4QbRR8MnDuBlPIE01yjr6tLCXIvol3E9VaW4qx6XXTQluvxrbb5eCJKs1Tb20QoHbLDGk5INYj21xh0/s1600/Example+Crooked+Stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQl1IUsgyEpGGqJJJ2WMyUFprbNpCsDbA7jT_RkXpcGOVgxbB-_ZTigarzqps4QbRR8MnDuBlPIE01yjr6tLCXIvol3E9VaW4qx6XXTQluvxrbb5eCJKs1Tb20QoHbLDGk5INYj21xh0/s400/Example+Crooked+Stop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of horse stopping crooked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTARxu-38RglgaAvCGyumpJazAJsn40edlKx4pVvJWVpfzeGQ21iuUG0G0bV6UdBlgf3k2HeoSJuKqBuyV9TytQXB4EX1MD27UVpPzKglnhvGEzuVyHs4VO8XNaaPJ7IUy6nbVy0d91Q/s1600/Example+Crooked+Stop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTARxu-38RglgaAvCGyumpJazAJsn40edlKx4pVvJWVpfzeGQ21iuUG0G0bV6UdBlgf3k2HeoSJuKqBuyV9TytQXB4EX1MD27UVpPzKglnhvGEzuVyHs4VO8XNaaPJ7IUy6nbVy0d91Q/s400/Example+Crooked+Stop1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of crooked stop. Note the right shoulder pushing out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m7WpdPrinz41OtPKSIjXkvx4XJEFsfX3qViRryfxSXUayDkTr6Dl0opfN50CUkzwjooyu8XGs4lyMPM-CIQu1Yv48Fk3hRS87amNxqKkf4ZqItHVfTV_Ph6jZMWFTzqe2QcoQDWHuuw/s1600/Example+StraightStop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m7WpdPrinz41OtPKSIjXkvx4XJEFsfX3qViRryfxSXUayDkTr6Dl0opfN50CUkzwjooyu8XGs4lyMPM-CIQu1Yv48Fk3hRS87amNxqKkf4ZqItHVfTV_Ph6jZMWFTzqe2QcoQDWHuuw/s400/Example+StraightStop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of a nice, straight sliding stop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-64776154168921455092013-03-19T09:54:00.000-07:002015-07-11T21:33:59.743-07:00Stop Fix #8: Commit to the Ground<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The
horse does not "commit" to the stop (ground). He’s tentative about
locking his hind legs in a stop position, sliding, and staying in the slide.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem
happen?</b> A horse may not commit to the ground for any one (or all) of the
following reasons:</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
He does not have the conformation to stop.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
He is sore.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
He is not confident.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this
problem: </b>This problem is similar to, but not the same as <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/02/stop-fix-4-instill-desire-to-stop.html" target="_blank"><em>Stop Fix #4: Instill the Desire to Stop</em></a>,
which deals with the horse that shows no interest in stopping. In this case, though,
the horse <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tries</i> to stop but is not committed and therefore the slightest thing can cause him to come out of the slide. If I am training a horse with this problem, I consider the following factors:</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Is the horse built to do the job? (See notes on conformation in <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/02/stop-fix-4-instill-desire-to-stop.html" target="_blank"><em>Stop Fix #4: Instill the Desire to Stop</em></a><em>). </em>If he is not, it will be hard for him and in fact may hurt him. I do not try to make a reiner out of this horse and ask for only easy stops from slow gaits.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Is the horse sore? If he is, then I know why he won’t commit himself to a hard stop – because it hurts! I postpone schooling until he is sound.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Is the horse frightened in some way – a bad stop (Example: Hind quarters sliding out of control on ground that is too slick) or an abusive rider. Maybe he is just not "brave". If either of these two issues is the problem, I can help him a great deal by establishing trust and confidence.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It’s absolutely necessary to return to basic training with a
horse like this. He needs a slow, step-by-step program to relax, re-focus and
trust. Every basic exercise – lateral and vertical flexion, leg yielding and
collection at all gaits – will increase his confidence just because he relaxes.
I review these exercises thoroughly, at all times building relaxation and
confidence in the program. Then I re-introduce the stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The two elements of success if I am to “fix” a horse that
does not commit to the ground are:</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Good sliding ground (See notes in <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/02/stop-fix-4-instill-desire-to-stop.html" target="_blank"><em>Stop Fix #4: Instill the Desire to Stop</em></a>)</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Keeping the horse’s confidence at a high level.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Exercise 1:</strong> I start right at the beginning of stop training
with trot/stop as in <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/02/stop-fix-5-stop-without-rein-contact.html" target="_blank"><em>Stop Fix #5: Stop Without Rein Contact</em></a><em> w</em>ith one exception. After he tries to stop, however
badly, I back him up a few steps, thereby transferring his weight over his hind
legs. After many repetitions, he will think he's going to be backed up and will
begin to back voluntarily, which transfers his weight over his hind quarters
putting him in a great position to for stops. So much of this problem is mental
(he does not trust himself to lock those hind legs and stay there for whatever
reason) that schooling exercises must be under the guidance of a wise and patient
trainer. It’s more about the training program than anything else (providing he
has the conformation and is not sore). With some horses, especially young ones,
one incident can destroy confidence and it can be a long time getting it back.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exercise 2:</b> Fencing (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/stop-fix-1-straighten-rundown.html" target="_blank"><em>Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown</em></a>) Although
fencing is primarily a rundown exercise, it can be useful to help a horse break
at the loins and stop deeper. For the exercise to be effective, I lope as
"long" as I possibly can to the fence, building speed, so the fence
stops him. A word of caution though. If the horse's confidence is at low level,
he may not be comfortable going in to the fence OR he may be more comfortable
with no pressure from the rider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's up
to me to make the right decision for schooling.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It’s vitally important to be super consistent with my aids
if I am to help this horse commit to the ground, to be confident in my program
(so he will be!) and to be assertive (but never aggressive) with my hands. If he
is scared, I will only be reinforcing what he believes already – that he does
not want to commit to the ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: I don’t
underestimate the value of positive thinking as well. As a rider, I can
certainly help him with his problem. I want to ride to the stop with confidence,
and then sit down like I believe he is going to. Chances are, if we have done
our homework, he will drop his butt in the ground and commit!</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMkIDOLqJOc42TKUrVygB1tNcQPo7oRtjN6WjHBJo2S3FXhWLCRy6TnpOa89hcEwJSEpPBZHuOV4dcgStHpQxaD4CHBw26IGlmVec0iPk51stFKVdCo8fLbUxDdlSxUWnI4fr1qH-mao/s1600/Example+Committed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMkIDOLqJOc42TKUrVygB1tNcQPo7oRtjN6WjHBJo2S3FXhWLCRy6TnpOa89hcEwJSEpPBZHuOV4dcgStHpQxaD4CHBw26IGlmVec0iPk51stFKVdCo8fLbUxDdlSxUWnI4fr1qH-mao/s400/Example+Committed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of horse fully committed to the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-62005335851608105512013-03-11T10:40:00.000-07:002015-07-11T21:33:59.735-07:00Stop Fix #7: Keep Front Legs Active<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse braces with his front legs when he stops instead of trotting in the front, creating a rough, unattractive stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> The reason a horse does not keep his front end active when he stops is either because he has not learned to stop that way or he has just not had enough basic training before being asked for big stops. If he is not soft in the bridle (See Stay Soft in Bridle in Rundown and Stay Soft in Bridle in Stop), he may open his mouth and brace <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i> in his body – front legs, neck, shoulders and back. He straightens his front legs instead of allowing himself to stay loose and trot while the hind quarters are sliding. This may also happen if the rider does not allow the horse much, if any, forward motion in the stop by pulling him down hard or if the horse is scared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem: </b>If the horse has been frightened, he must regain confidence to perform. He is probably also not soft and giving in the bridle and basic, consistent, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kind</i> training is the only tool to establish relaxation and trust and begin the long road back to mental health. The surest way to trash good stops are to scare the horse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
If the horse is not worried about stopping but still jars his rider with straight, stiff front legs, he can learn a better way but the problem cannot be fixed at speed. Because the front legs are actually trotting when the hind quarters are sliding, re-schooling should begin at a trot to encourage the horse to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">allow </i>himself to trot in to and through the slide.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Exercise: All the preparation rules apply – a straight, soft-in-the-bridle approach to the stop. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If he is not straight or giving to my hands or legs, then I must correct that first with basic exercises before I school the stop.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I trot my horse off in a straight line anywhere in the arena and ask him to stop in the usual way – first with body aid, then voice aid – but then, with one rein, I bend him in a circle (basic lateral flexion), until he is soft and giving. I settle him, trot off again and repeat the exercise but this time I turn him in the opposite direction. I repeat several times, alternating reins every time. Finally, I just ask him to stop. If his front legs keep trotting, I rest him; if he stops with stiff front legs, I turn him with one rein. When he’s consistent and relaxed trotting to the stop and through the stop, I repeat the exercise at a lope and finally with speed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: I am not concerned with a slide at this point, especially at a trot.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The rider can help free up his horse's front end considerably by:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
1. Allowing forward motion (not pulling).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
2. Looking up and way beyond the point he wants to stop in the rundown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
3. “Fixing” any straightness or softness problems in the rundown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL4DV4fPzMUBLd-YyyLFkYlLlpdVR4awLoj9T4D-dpEZOsIqKuWCUBxSRDEeae0n3xpaZuo0FRSeIngAJwEXnZ0sYkprJJecskUMlFmOUhsQ1tKVAzdDd8ysddd-Unt-T-t1X_qUS_RY/s1600/Example+StopActiveFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL4DV4fPzMUBLd-YyyLFkYlLlpdVR4awLoj9T4D-dpEZOsIqKuWCUBxSRDEeae0n3xpaZuo0FRSeIngAJwEXnZ0sYkprJJecskUMlFmOUhsQ1tKVAzdDd8ysddd-Unt-T-t1X_qUS_RY/s400/Example+StopActiveFront.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An excellent example of a horse staying active in front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: I do not throw my body back to stop, which will surely cause a sudden reaction and possibly stiff front legs. Instead, I step into the stirrups, sit down rather than back, and “square” my shoulders. In this way, I can keep riding my horse’s hind quarters into the stop, which allows his front end to keep moving.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-14655360643189127182013-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:55:34.933-08:00Stop Fix #6: Stay Soft in Bridle in Stop<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The horse stiffens his jaw going in to and throughout the stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen? </b>The horse is not soft in the bridle while stopping because he has not learned to respect the bridle or he braces because he is scared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem: </b>A horse can be stiff in the jaw whether the rider has contact with his mouth or not. Either way, it affects the stop – negatively. When he is not soft and giving in the bridle, his poll, neck, shoulders and front end are stiff as well, which results in hollowing the back so he cannot use his loins, stifles and hocks to stop. It can look quite ugly and will not score well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The first thing I would check if my horse is not soft in the bridle is the bit. Is it too much bit and he is scared? I might change bits for a while, even go back to a snaffle to help him get his confidence back. If it is a matter of respecting the bit and the training program, I will have to school, beginning at a basic level and working my up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Staying soft in the bridle in the stop begins in the rundown. If the horse is bracey in the rundown (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/02/stop-fix-2-stay-soft-in-bridle-in.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #2: Stay Soft in Bridle in Rundown</a>), he will still be that way when he stops. Even if there’s no contact with his mouth, the stiffness in his body will result in a heavy, bouncy stop. The heaviness that begins in his mouth runs all the way back. He won’t be able to use his back, loins, stifles or hocks to achieve an effortless, smooth stop. If it’s necessary to apply rein pressure to help him stop, the problem gets worse because he will have something to brace against.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
The only way to fix this problem is to re-school basics, concentrating on establishing true lateral and vertical flexion and collection in circles and straight lines and establishing confidence (the horse’s) at those levels. I break it right down to one rein (lateral flexion), checking that my horse is truly ‘giving’ to rein pressure and that I am releasing that rein pressure when he gives – very important! I can do this at a walk and at a jog until I am confident that he is willing and relaxed. Then I can ask for vertical flexion (both reins) and collection at a jog, trot and lope. At first I do this exercise in a circle, then straight lines, repeatedly asking my horse to collect, first with leg pressure then rein pressure. My responsibility is to reward him when he complies – with release of pressure. Soon he will be soft in the bridle and I can go back to rundowns and stops. If he has a déjà vous moment in the rundown or stop (and he probably will!), I may have to re-enforce the lesson. When I school though, it is important that I always fix the problem when it happens. If that means dropping back down to basic level, then that’s what I will do. Eventually he will understand that he needs to stay soft <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all the time</i> – warm-ups, rundowns and stops – if I am consistent with my corrections.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE5CCRG4qziwszmAps_of-cqtm-KOBaoU3b1Tgi81QxhB0f7Su3JpHBSvtbMoIfymzJlQnnD1GKvRNQqTry6oH-volxCXiDDCgnyvl6hKKSIFVR64hRNDjrN1hnANPmUhg5Gw3N8mPDU/s1600/02Aug_WhisperCardston1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE5CCRG4qziwszmAps_of-cqtm-KOBaoU3b1Tgi81QxhB0f7Su3JpHBSvtbMoIfymzJlQnnD1GKvRNQqTry6oH-volxCXiDDCgnyvl6hKKSIFVR64hRNDjrN1hnANPmUhg5Gw3N8mPDU/s400/02Aug_WhisperCardston1.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of horse soft in bridle without contact</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7592bMhxzASH6pFMq85d8eQ58Jfxhqj9Ch7vo2kvlbeCN5aO8BE4JE_pywd9t2Vh6qPbr4Rr1MJCGHycUAhnd7BlUxgQYUDQAmq4uxFqTUnCNvYE0oIQVQ__lQ5kUXgvbzc0xno3hP6M/s1600/Example+SoftBridleWolfContact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7592bMhxzASH6pFMq85d8eQ58Jfxhqj9Ch7vo2kvlbeCN5aO8BE4JE_pywd9t2Vh6qPbr4Rr1MJCGHycUAhnd7BlUxgQYUDQAmq4uxFqTUnCNvYE0oIQVQ__lQ5kUXgvbzc0xno3hP6M/s400/Example+SoftBridleWolfContact.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example horse soft in bridle with contact</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
When a horse goes in to a stop with his jaw relaxed (soft in the bridle) with no rein contact, he presents a pretty picture to the judge. If the rider must pick up the reins (because of deep ground or other) to finish the stop and the horse stays soft in the bridle, there is no harm done at all. He still presents that pretty picture. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-16861380734374570762013-02-25T09:59:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:55:28.051-08:00Stop Fix #5: Stop Without Rein Contact<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The
horse will stop only if rider applies rein pressure.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem
happen? </b>The reason a horse needs rein contact to stop (anything from firm contact
to a hard pull) is simple – he has not been taught anything different!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this
problem:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ideally, for the stop that looks the best to the judge, the
horse should stop with the rider’s hand low (no rein contact). In other words,
he should respond to rider aids other than rein pressure for a deep, sliding
stop. This can only be accomplished if he has been trained that way – by asking
first with seat and voice and using reins only for a back-up plan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the very beginning of training, I use a sequence of
aids to teach my horses to stop without any contact with their mouth. I re-enforce
this every day with every horse and if I encounter a problem at a higher level
or with a damaged horse, I spend even more time teaching this sequence of aids.
The exercise is the same whether the horse is young and learning to stop or seasoned
with problems that need correcting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Exercise: At a long trot, I head out in straight line
anywhere in the arena (diagonal is good) with my hands low. When I am confident
the horse is straight (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/stop-fix-1-straighten-rundown.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown</a>), I ask him to stop, first by
changing my body position from the center of balance to behind the center of
balance (step forward in to the stirrups, sit down and lock the small of my
back, square shoulders) without moving my hands from the low position. Still
with hands low, I say “whoa” (a nice long, low “whoa”). Whether he stops or not
(and he probably won’t if he’s waiting for my hands to move), I wait (count to
‘two’) with my body still in stop position. Then I slowly pick up both reins
and apply pressure until he gives to the bridle and backs up a step or two, at
which time I release rein pressure, relax my body and allow him to rest for a
few seconds or longer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Backing off
the bridle accomplishes two things – asking him to give to the bridle (which is
part of the stop) and a correction if he does not stop. </i>If he does not give
to the bridle when I back him, I turn him off one rein instead of resting,
straighten him, trot off in a new direction and repeat. When he does not resist
the exercise, I ask for a stop with only my body and voice and if he does (the
ultimate goal – stop with no rein contact), I don’t back him. If rider’s aids
are consistent, almost every horse will stop without rein contact in only a few
repetitions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although I prefer that my horses stop without rein contact,
I school my horses to stop with any <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one</i>
of the stop signals – body, voice or hands. It changes up the exercise and
insures that he is tuned to any one of the aids.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Ground
conditions vary from show to show and sometimes it’s necessary to pick up on the
reins to help a horse stay in the ground (If the ground is very heavy or deep).
If that happens, I want him to respond willingly to the pressure on the bit. I always ask for the stop
with body and voice but am prepared to add rein pressure if needed.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZQzuYxCjKJHh01t75Zh5ej11tMobkdc9Oyknk-I2ZE17gVOrIMXEIdL6_g06lUXG2XYFXSrQtBIZTkOvnCiTdNKdNNyCA_hcnvIJ5GBsedb_mTCkZTwzMwfqGShWCRF4WsN4G1_Bzbg/s1600/05OctSkye_CanSupDerby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZQzuYxCjKJHh01t75Zh5ej11tMobkdc9Oyknk-I2ZE17gVOrIMXEIdL6_g06lUXG2XYFXSrQtBIZTkOvnCiTdNKdNNyCA_hcnvIJ5GBsedb_mTCkZTwzMwfqGShWCRF4WsN4G1_Bzbg/s400/05OctSkye_CanSupDerby2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of horse stopping without rein contact</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-7071064628840818992013-02-18T09:19:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:55:18.703-08:00Stop Fix #4: Instill the Desire to Stop<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> The
horse makes no effort to stop when asked – he does not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem
happen?</b> If a horse does not mentally ‘want’ to stop, he will not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">try</i> to stop. There are several reasons
this might happen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Although all
horses are not capable of long, deep sliding stops, all horses can learn to
want to stop correctly and even slide two or three feet.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<u>If horse will not try to stop from a trot or slow lope</u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. He is sore.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. He is scared to stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. The ground is “sticky” (This applies more to harder
stops)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. He is not asked to stop with clear, consistent signals.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>If horse is willing to slow-lope stop but will not try
long, sliding stops</u>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. He is sore.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. He does not have the ability to perform hard stops. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. He is scared.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. He is not shod correctly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. The ground is poor.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6. He is not asked to stop with clear, consistent signals
from his rider.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this
problem: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is he sore?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes? If the horse is sore, he won’t want to stop. Abort
training until he is sound.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No? Look for another reason.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Does he have the
conformation to stop?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No? If the horse is not built to stop, he can’t do the job! Consider
another discipline.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes? Look for another reason.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Conformation for
good stops: 1. Strong back (short) and loins. 2. Strong hind quarters with feet
that point straight ahead 3. Long sloped hip 4. Low hocks 5. Good withers (not
lower than hip) 6. Balanced 7. Athletic</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is he mentally
prepared to be schooled to stop?</b> If the horse is mentally prepared, he has
been trained by slow step-by-step progressive training <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prior to</i> intense stop training. He has not been frightened by
abusive training methods. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forcing a horse
to stop simply does not work to achieve the ultimate goal - long, correct,
pretty stops that score well in the show pen.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is he shod
correctly?</b> A horse must have sliding plates to learn to slide – tempered
flat bar iron at least one inch wide. Nail heads should be countersunk or filed
off to reduce friction and the toe rolled (front quarter of shoe curved up).
The sides of the sliding plate should come almost straight back to allow dirt
to flow out the back and the trailers should extend back to the bulbs of the
foot to protect the bulbs when he slides.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: I ask my farrier
to trim the foot naturally (same angle as pastern). When I start my horses
stopping, I usually use a narrower sliding plate until he gets used to the
feel. I might also let him wear the nails down himself on his first set of
sliders so he doesn’t scare himself.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
5. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Is the ground
suitable for sliding stops?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">N</b>o? If the ground is wet, sticky or too deep, postpone hard
stops until another day and better ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: Although I can
school my horse to stop at a walk and jog on ground unsuitable for true
“sliding stops”, deep, hard stops should not be tried on anything but good
stopping ground.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes? If the ground is good (firm base with 2-3 inches of light
sand on top) and the horse has passed all of the above criteria but still does
not ‘want’ to stop, the rider can help with some simple exercises and a lot of
time and patience.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
6<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. Clear, consistent
rider aids</b> – There are two categories of horses that do not ‘want’ to stop
– horses that have not been trained with clear, consistent rider aids and
horses that are scared to stop (poor ground, soreness, rider abuse). Both need
the same thing – basic training to build confidence. If the horse is sound, is
built to stop, is not scared, has correct sliding plates on and good ground to
slide on, I can start building his confidence and hopefully, his desire to
stop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Exercise: If I encourage my horse to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like</i> to stop, he will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">try</i>
to stop. Everything about stop training is about making it a pleasant
experience (even more important if the horse has already learned to hate
stopping).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the beginning, I teach my horses that “whoa” is a very
nice word. The way I do that is to rest him after he stops. If he doesn’t stop,
the only correction he gets is to repeat the exercise. If the horse has been
“punished” for not stopping or not stopping correctly, he learns to hate “whoa”
and the exercise. Naturally, all stops are not good but when my horse does not
stop well, the correction is “no reward (i.e. rest)”. Instead, I do it again.
If necessary, I lower the level of the maneuver to get a good stop so I can
reward him. I do the same thing with a scared horse that doesn’t try to stop
(prior abuse, poor ground or sore) but with that horse, there is a huge trust
issue. I must teach him to trust himself and me so that he wants to stop again.
Almost certainly this will have to be done at a lower level, a trot even. A
horse will not want to stop if the task has become unpleasant or hurtful. It
can be very difficult, but not impossible with a good rider, to rehabilitate a
horse that has been mentally hurt.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I prefer horses that are born with a desire to stop and most
of the horses I train now fit in this category. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s up to me not to damage that desire.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp1fHKgyBxIBuETtMzebVh4oKbwdr7KF7WW5hSAmUcAQ32h-o3bq_EP98z3Als9ulUY3aDJI-l0FHP6SeW4tgsPkOeBSWR2ANGKzoKMU3zj-vUUfkT-7JKas7xlrf2yD54_o4NzQQuxI/s1600/00whsprOSS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp1fHKgyBxIBuETtMzebVh4oKbwdr7KF7WW5hSAmUcAQ32h-o3bq_EP98z3Als9ulUY3aDJI-l0FHP6SeW4tgsPkOeBSWR2ANGKzoKMU3zj-vUUfkT-7JKas7xlrf2yD54_o4NzQQuxI/s400/00whsprOSS1.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This horse is demonstrating how much she loves to stop!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-61306764620421776232013-02-11T08:24:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:54:14.311-08:00Stop Fix #3: Correct 'Break and Run' Rundown<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> Instead of gradually building speed in the rundown to the stop, the horse goes from collected lope to flat out run in a couple of strides.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> This sudden burst of speed into the stop may be caused by one of two things:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
1. The rider initiates the sudden acceleration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
2. The horse, because he knows he will be running hard to the stop, ‘breaks and runs’ on his own.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
1. If it is a rider problem: If the horse’s burst of speed is only in response to the rider asking that way, it will be easier to correct but the rider must first be “aware” of how he asks his horse to run to the stop. He may be thinking too much about running hard instead of gradually building speed. Running too fast doesn’t necessarily make for a great stop anyway. It’s more about the quality of the speed than the speed itself. The judge wants to see a controlled rundown with a <em>gradual increase in speed</em>, which in fact will lead to a nice stop and will earn a nice score.<br />
<br />
When I round the corner for a stop in the show pen, I think first about two things – straightening my horse for the rundown and checking that he is soft in the bridle. (If I schooled him well, my horse will readily comply.) With that established, I ask for a little more speed every two or three strides (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not all at once!)</i> to the stop. If I slow lope until the center then ask for a big burst of speed to the stop, I have lost control of the rundown. He may flatten out because he is no longer building speed and the stop is not good. Worse than that, I will have created a problem for my horse who will now think that it’s the way it’s done.<br />
<br />
2. If the horse has learned to break and run: This can be a difficult habit to correct and the work starts at home with lots and lots of schooling on the problem.<br />
<br />
Any time my horse feels like he’s making the decisions in a rundown, I correct. If he speeds up and I haven’t asked him to, I bring him back down to a walk. I don’t jerk him or scare him in any way. I just ask him to give to the rein pressure and as soon as he does, I release the pressure and try again. If he does not give to the bridle at a walk, I keep the pressure on (changing my body aids) until he backs up and gives. A variation of this exercise is half-passing to a walk when I feel that burst of energy by slowly increasing rein contact and leg pressure into a half-pass position (head and hindquarters yielding the same way) until he walks. When he walks and relaxes into the half-pass, I release hand and leg aids. Then I ask for a lope and a rundown again, repeating the correction if necessary. This exercise works very well but the rider must be able to execute the half-pass to be effective.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I might lope slow all the way down and not stop, sometimes I might build speed and not stop, sometimes I lope slow and stop, sometimes I build speed and stop. It’s important to vary to keep my horses guessing and avoid anticipation.<br />
<br />
If ‘breaking and running’ is a show pen problem only, I take him to schooling shows and school or blow a class to correct him in competition. It’s very important to get the control back in the rider’s court.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AVD1Ht7ZEE-CSIKALhxMfLi9MmPxo1ZzUJxt5AO7wM41LZ4-MAJ4_9qg2OxmL6gXVkSwlLDa2XRO80ByirzUT_44U52jmbkTpPM8np8XNl63l4AORpqCJ8yqqAKS-qNDmKsQRsSRYwc/s1600/Example+BreakRunWolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AVD1Ht7ZEE-CSIKALhxMfLi9MmPxo1ZzUJxt5AO7wM41LZ4-MAJ4_9qg2OxmL6gXVkSwlLDa2XRO80ByirzUT_44U52jmbkTpPM8np8XNl63l4AORpqCJ8yqqAKS-qNDmKsQRsSRYwc/s320/Example+BreakRunWolf.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="SpinFixesCaption" style="margin: 0in 0in 1em;">
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is an example of a horse running to the stop under control and building speed, not ‘breaking and running’ to the stop.</span></strong></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-36482427347134797602013-02-04T08:31:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:54:02.215-08:00Stop Fix #2: Stay Soft in the Bridle in Rundown<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> Horse raises his head and pulls on the bit in the rundown to the stop or when the rider applies rein pressure for control in the rundown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen?</b> There are two reasons a horse raises his head running down to the stop:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
1. The rider has not asked him to collect and give to the bridle. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. The horse is not accepting aids for collection.<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A rundown should begin with a horse in a collected, balanced, straight frame in complete control and stay that way when the rider asks for speed and to the stop. That speed should be initiated by the rider, not the horse! In order to do that, the horse needs to be soft and giving in the bridle from the beginning of the rundown to the stop. If his head is too high, his back will be hollow and he will not be able to use his hind quarters effectively for either the rundown or the stop. If he resists rein pressure when the rider asks for collection, the problem gets worse.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem: </b>A horse must stay soft in the bridle in a rundown to achieve a nice sliding stop <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">even though the rider may not be applying rein pressure.</i> In other words, even though there is no rein contact with the horse’s mouth, the horse stays soft as if there is. I check often when schooling – Is my horse there for me? Is he listening? Is he soft? I know it's all correct when my horse is light in my hands and between the reins (straight). Then there's nothing left to do but drive him forward with my legs to the stop.<br />
<br />
<br />
If my horse raises his head into the bridle in a rundown, I know the next step is a runaway. If, when I ask him to come back (give to rein aid) to me, he pulls on my hands and doesn’t give to the pressure, I know I have to go back to basics, especially vertical flexion and collection. I go back to circles until he consistently collects at a lope and then incorporate straight lines into the program as in <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/stop-fix-1-straighten-rundown.html" target="_blank">Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I go back to rundowns into stops. If I have done my homework, my horse will have learned to stay soft in the bridle as he runs to the stops.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsLyHgFNA8LVQb-qLoT0N7p7NF6eiVCiv-l3r2VB4sxx6X2Ju3vmBhl7r8kPD-rW55g-vMwCc-uVBuTMyrNqQCSln_7AdQa05v-gv5EL01gTB2nb5YfpM7BbNYVoVptEJquTO1l4bmDU/s1600/Example+SoftBridleWolfRundown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsLyHgFNA8LVQb-qLoT0N7p7NF6eiVCiv-l3r2VB4sxx6X2Ju3vmBhl7r8kPD-rW55g-vMwCc-uVBuTMyrNqQCSln_7AdQa05v-gv5EL01gTB2nb5YfpM7BbNYVoVptEJquTO1l4bmDU/s400/Example+SoftBridleWolfRundown.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-22061227187025390962013-01-30T09:50:00.000-08:002014-12-27T14:53:48.176-08:00Stop Fix #1: Straighten the Rundown<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The problem:</b> Horse does
not run straight to the stop (rundown).<br />
<br />
<b>Why does this problem happen?</b>
If a horse is not staying straight running to his stops, he has not learned to
align his body or the rider is not sending him down straight.<br />
<br />
<b>How to correct this problem: </b>If
my horse is weaving down the arena when I’m asking him to run straight, I don’t
do much stopping until I fix that because stops are all about the rundown.
Straight rundown, straight stop. Crooked rundown, crooked stop.<br />
<br />
First I want to be confident that
my horse is well schooled in basics – give to the reins, give to the legs – so
I know I can correct his mistakes. If he is responsive to leg and rein aids, I
can fix the rundown.<br />
<br />
<u>Exercise 1</u>: I lope
straight down one side of the arena (off the rail), around the end, straight
down the other side of the arena (off the rail), around the end, etc several
times, collecting around the ends and encouraging my horse to run straight
lines down the sides. I will probably have two hands on the reins at first with
my hands low, wide and in front of the saddle to run the straight lines. If he
veers right or left, I correct him like this: When I feel him pushing a
shoulder and/or rib out, I lift (not pull) the rein on that side and back it up
with leg pressure (or a bump) on the same side until he aligns again. Then I
put my hand down. <i>Every time</i> he lets his body drift to one side or the
other, I correct but I don’t <i>hold</i> him in line. I want him to be between
my reins while I push him forward with my legs and seat.<br />
<br />
N<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ote: I would not do this exercise loping around the ends of the arena with
a horse that anticipates a stop every time he lopes around the end. Instead, I
use the next exercise, correcting alignment mistakes as above.</i><br />
<br />
Exercise 2: Fencing! There is
probably no better exercise for straightening the rundown than fencing but the
exercise and its purpose is often misunderstood. Read on…<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is fencing?</b> "Fencing" is an exercise whereby the
rider lopes his horse in a straight line from one end fence of the arena to the
other end fence of the arena.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why fence a reining horse?</b> I fence my reining horses to improve the
rundown – for straightness, gradual acceleration and to teach them to wait for
cues.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How I "fence" a reining horse:</b> I stand my horse at the
fence on one end of the arena with his hindquarters at the fence. He should be
absolutely straight and I should be looking straight down the arena at a point
the same distance from the wall on the other end that I am on this end. If he
is not relaxed, I stay there until he is. Next, I ask him to lower his neck, depart
at a lope in the lead of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> choice
(another topic) and lope in a straight line all the way to the other end, at
all times staying aware of his body alignment. If he veers right or left, I
correct him as in the previous exercise. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to have all the correcting done by the
time I near the fence so I can lower my hand to his neck, sit down for the stop
and let the fence stop him. I don't wait until my horse is right at the fence
to ask for the stop but I don't want to be too far away either (a mistake that
many new reiners make). If I am a long way back from the fence, I have
partially defeated the purpose of the exercise – to run all the way to the
fence!<br />
<br />
I do not usually say
"whoa" at the fence – I want the fence to stop him. (The exception to
that is if I have added a lot of speed to the rundown and therefore ask for the
stop earlier.) If my horse stops crooked at the fence, I straighten him (with
legs and/or hands) and then let him rest a few seconds or longer facing the
fence. If he stops straight, I rest him. Then I turn him around, straighten him
if needed, collect him and lope off (in the lead of my choice again…) to the
fence at the other end.<br />
<br />
My horse should never crash into
the fence – that is not good fencing!<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: If my horse has not been fenced before, I start the fencing
exercise at a trot until he is comfortable with the fence stopping him at that
gait. At a lope, his rundown may be quite crooked the first times, especially
as I near the fence. I understand – he is a little confused – so I might allow
him to break down to a trot. I still try to keep him straight but I don't want
to scare him. It doesn't take long at all until he is comfortable loping to the
fence if I don't force the issue at first and let him find out that there is a
rest (reward) at the fence.</i><br />
<br />
After my horse has learned to
lope a straight line fence to fence, I add speed to the rundown. The added
speed may magnify little problems, like crookedness or anticipation, so I can
correct. I also switch it up lots – sometimes I lope to the fence, sometimes I
build speed to the fence, sometimes I pull him down to a walk and walk to the
fence and sometimes I just walk the entire line. It's important, too, to
alternate leads in the rundown.<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: I don't overdo fencing or any stopping exercise for that matter.
Although my reining horses need to stop enough to build up their muscles, repeatedly
stopping often results in the horse making mistakes. I quit on a nice stop (for
the level of training) and go back to the barn with a happy horse.</i><br />
<br />
<u>Exercise 3:</u> If the horse
is persistent about running crooked, I try this: When his shoulder bulges
(causing him to be out of alignment), I steer him in the <i>opposite </i>direction
with both reins and outside leg. Example: If he is veering right, I steer him
to the left with both reins to the left and right leg pressure – an
exaggeration of the correction.<br />
<br />
Any time I feel my horse running
crooked to a stop in a schooling session, I fix it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">even if I have planned a big stop</i>! If I fix the crooked rundown
problem, the stop will improve a whole bunch – just because the rundown did!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ac26BSki5SnG76j-FT_aTRH6PaSkmuAgBBgtpKpUBq_DpXWo_sQ2vR1asOBJxa1QXPNYQhyphenhyphenJOT7xYCeZErlcbsLU-h5ZlLp6q0dw_U_5DEu8zgijP5MFjxrJxXRbFF6gJLt6Pz6WdDU/s1600/Example+RundownStraightBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ac26BSki5SnG76j-FT_aTRH6PaSkmuAgBBgtpKpUBq_DpXWo_sQ2vR1asOBJxa1QXPNYQhyphenhyphenJOT7xYCeZErlcbsLU-h5ZlLp6q0dw_U_5DEu8zgijP5MFjxrJxXRbFF6gJLt6Pz6WdDU/s400/Example+RundownStraightBack.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEdwqDFpDSm7IR5JSbdIaDN9-HUui-RJJpIZfBk0y5_iGLuXAuHgddVkh1zAfjMm5alhCw9EE_gIORbKQyj5C6l3zgRTvopfkgo8XN6HkVN-VEXdMA3PgtanezuApsFK3bxYUo2ziqqk/s1600/Example+RundownStraightFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEdwqDFpDSm7IR5JSbdIaDN9-HUui-RJJpIZfBk0y5_iGLuXAuHgddVkh1zAfjMm5alhCw9EE_gIORbKQyj5C6l3zgRTvopfkgo8XN6HkVN-VEXdMA3PgtanezuApsFK3bxYUo2ziqqk/s400/Example+RundownStraightFront.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>The goal of a good rundown is
a good stop and the<b> </b>best stops are those where the horse’s body is
perfectly aligned and in balance; therefore his body must be aligned and
balanced in the rundown. A sliding stop is only as good as the rundown to the
stop.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on">
<div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i>Note: When a horse can stay
straight, he is better in all maneuvers! A straight horse is a balanced horse!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-30373590189604803122013-01-12T10:06:00.001-08:002013-03-03T12:27:18.309-08:00Spin Fixes is an EBook!<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Just released!</span> Spin Fixes in Kindle format for computer, smart phones, pads and Kindle readers! Two day introductory offer - download <span style="color: red;">free </span>January 12-13, 2013 at <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Spin-Fixes-Handbooks-Reiners-ebook/dp/B00AZORZ90/ref=pd_ys_iyr_img">http://www.amazon.ca/Spin-Fixes-Handbooks-Reiners-ebook/dp/B00AZORZ90/ref=pd_ys_iyr_img</a> This link is for Amazon.ca. If you live in another country, find the Amazon site in your country to purchase.<br />
( You will need the reader for this. If you don't already have the Kindle reader for your device of choice you can download free on Amazon Kindle)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxKN4-Uo2V-epAS8LyjINochyphenhyphenY4bUyu-_2p1LHAe7YZgTAKS98AQh_rTNIvOO86i0kAY36awcG7aTcrG22dMmhNHSzrnKoptHJ0mkoFbQnpROROfGi17iZBsUL01eOEpnkdrjusgS2c/s1600/CoverLittleWolfPizap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxKN4-Uo2V-epAS8LyjINochyphenhyphenY4bUyu-_2p1LHAe7YZgTAKS98AQh_rTNIvOO86i0kAY36awcG7aTcrG22dMmhNHSzrnKoptHJ0mkoFbQnpROROfGi17iZBsUL01eOEpnkdrjusgS2c/s320/CoverLittleWolfPizap.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em style="text-align: justify;">Spin Fixes is a reference manual for riders of reining horses. Fifteen common spin problems are listed with a clear explanation of each problem and detailed solutions. It is the goal of the author to give riders the tools to help their horses achieve a higher level of performance. If a rider does not have access to or cannot afford a coach, the Kindle edition of Spin Fixes can offer immediate help - in the arena, at the show or at home. If his horse having a problem with a spin, he can bring up Spin Fixes on his smart phone or pad, find on the appropriate chapter, read the exercise (possibly while still sitting on his horse) and improve the maneuver.</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><em><br /></em></em>
<em><em>Several photos are included and a quick reference included for ease of use.</em></em><br />
<em><em><br /></em></em></div>
<em>
</em><em>Spin Fixes is the first of a series of Handbooks for Reiners. The second in the series is Stop Fixes, to be released spring 2013.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><br /></em>
Amazon requires that the content of this book not be made available in digital format while enrolled in KDP Select. Therefore I have removed most of the previous posts titled, "Spin Fixes" until this book is out of KDP program. I have left the last post, <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2013/01/spin-fix-14-eliminate-freeze-up.html" target="_blank">Spin Fix #14: Eliminate Freeze Up</a>, as a sample of what is in the book.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The good news is that you can get all the information and it will be at your finger tips any where, any time by downloading this ebook. It's free until Sunday at midnight at the above link. Happy spinning!</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-2324096857229661382012-07-23T11:06:00.000-07:002014-01-12T07:45:30.764-08:00Spin Fix #15: Overspinning and UnderspinningSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-32383146526181397542012-07-02T08:03:00.000-07:002014-01-12T07:46:05.758-08:00Spin Fix #14: Eliminate Freeze Up<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The problem:</b> Horse stops all lateral movement in a spin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why does this problem happen? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. If a horse in basic spin training quits (freezes up) in schooling sessions, he is being asked too much too soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. If the freeze up occurs with a well-trained horse that has not quit before, he is not accepting increased mental pressure or he is hurting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. If a horse freezes up in competition and he is not in the habit of doing that, it is probably rider error.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: A true “freeze up” is when a horse simply will not move away from the outside rein but any ceasing of motion in a spin will be designated a “freeze up” even if the horse has made a mental mistake and only stops motion for a second. The first is more of a training problem; the second is probably rider error.</i></div>
<div class="SpinFixesBodyText" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to correct this problem:</b> If the horse is not sore anywhere, the next thing I check if my horse quits is me, especially in a schooling situation. Does he need more basic training? Did I ask for more speed too soon? Did I change something about the way I am sitting? Did I move my hand too quickly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or too much? If none of those things have happened, the only thing to do is re-introduce the spin slowly with close attention to correctness. Heavy pressure on the outside rein can cause a horse to freeze up. E.g. In competition, the horse is not spinning as fast as I would like and I pull harder in an attempt to speed him up. (This does not work at all but under pressure, any rider might pull!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the most important things to keep in mind while spinning is not to make quick movements with either hands or body because the horse may interpret that movement as a request to stop. If he stops and starts again, he will still get a ‘freeze up’ penalty. If I bring my hand in the direction of the spin to start it and want to put it back in the middle for the spin, I can’t “drop” it suddenly in the middle or he will surely stop. After all, he is looking for “whoa”. Penalty time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A horse can get in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">habit</i> of quitting as well if it happens much. With consistent signals he will learn to stop only when I ask him to and that is crucial in the pen. I switch it up lots – sometimes only a spin or two, sometimes six or eight. He must wait for the word.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If my horse does stop spinning and I have not asked him to, I have to correct with my outside leg (a bump or kick) to get him started again. If I’m schooling, I can pick the point I want to stop with no compromises; in competition, it’s not so easy unless I want to turn the run into a schooling run, which is not a bad idea if I’ve already incurred a two-point penalty for a ‘freeze up’. On the other hand, if it wasn’t the horse’s fault but mine…</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Freezing up’ should not happen if the horse is trained to continue spinning as long as the rider is asking as in the photo below.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3eSBl0zag4/UOrwizK_s_E/AAAAAAAAA18/TBB1XSPcvDs/s1600/January72013" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3eSBl0zag4/UOrwizK_s_E/AAAAAAAAA18/TBB1XSPcvDs/s320/January72013" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span></div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-60334200322220681312012-06-18T10:43:00.000-07:002014-01-11T11:47:32.652-08:00Spin Fix #13: Speeding Up the Spin<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>The problem:</u> Horse will not spin faster when he is asked.</div>
<div class="SpinFixesBodyText" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<u>Why does this problem happen?</u> If a horse will not speed up in the spin, he is either not correct enough to feel good about trying to spin faster or he does not “believe” the rider when asked for an increase in speed.</div>
<div class="SpinFixesBodyText" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<u>How to correct this problem:</u> A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">horse must be able to spin correctly BEFORE he is asked to spin fast.</i> If he is not comfortable turning around, he will not be willing to spin faster. If he’s schooled well in the basic spin – body aligned, responding to reins and legs – and he will start the spin quietly and turn almost on his own, then it’s time to ask for more.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Exercise: I “cluck” to ask for more. If I don’t feel an increase in speed, I bump with my leg. As soon as I feel him pick up the pace, I say “whoa” (that’s a reward) and release all body aids, then repeat. I want to instill in him right from the beginning that if he responds to my request for a faster turn around, he is rewarded. After only a few times, he will almost for sure spin faster with only a cluck. In a class, of course, I need four spins but if I have built my horse’s confidence by not asking too much in training and if he believes the voice command, he will be happy to spin until I ask him to shut down.<br />
<br />
Exercise: I push my horse up in the bridle in a small circle, keeping him as straight as possible, until I feel him want to ‘find’the spin. Then I lower my hands, take my legs off of him, and ask. Usually he will gladly spin because the spin is more comfortable than the exercise.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Exercise: I let my horse spin a revolution or so, then pick up my reins to hold him straight and push him straight out of the spin – aggressively – stop him, settle him, and ask for spin again. After a few times, he will always try harder.<br />
<br />
When I start teaching a horse to speed up his spin, I don’t try to accomplish everything in the first lesson. I push him a little more each day, always rewarding for his success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing that happens a lot is when a horse first tries to spin faster is that he might “hop” around. (See <a href="http://reining-training-tips.blogspot.ca/2012/03/spin-fix-1.html" target="_blank">Spin With Cadence</a>.) If that happens, I do not stop the spin when he is hopping; instead, I slow it down until he is stepping around again, then stop. It’s important to end the spin with correct movement.<br />
<br />
<i>Note: I don’t overdo fast spin schooling. Once my horse complies with my request, that’s all I want. If I concentrate more on schooling correctness, the speed will be easy! A reiner with a great spinning horse once told me his horse loved to spin fast because he had it figured out that the faster he did it, the faster it was over! That's what a good spin training program inspires - a horse that wants to spin.</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp3BTi057mYEYyeoFGgUoII_SXnUmOrttiQKwGs8F4gjTftuGIAl7C_gRuDDOJ7SMoLEsmrgeQqO-uCOQDnK_vaHZ6WfHinvPTRvScGg5en0LEaplbOGxEsKAvCC_YILPk7IXR68K-2I/s1600/Blog_11Sept9_LittleWolfSpin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp3BTi057mYEYyeoFGgUoII_SXnUmOrttiQKwGs8F4gjTftuGIAl7C_gRuDDOJ7SMoLEsmrgeQqO-uCOQDnK_vaHZ6WfHinvPTRvScGg5en0LEaplbOGxEsKAvCC_YILPk7IXR68K-2I/s400/Blog_11Sept9_LittleWolfSpin1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking With Wolves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-22781374789373462992012-06-04T08:10:00.000-07:002014-01-11T11:47:59.602-08:00Spin Fix #12: Improving Front Leg Cross-Over<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>The problem:</u> Horse hits himself when he spins or
crosses behind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Why does this problem happen?</u> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
1. The horse lacks forward motion (Yes, there is forward
motion in the spin!) If he is sucking back, there is just no way he can cross
over in front.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
2. The horse steps directly to the side instead of stepping back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
3. The rider is pulling too much on the reins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>How to correct this problem:</u> If my horse is hitting
himself, I concentrate on getting forward motion in the spin which means
pushing him out of the spin many, many times. All the basic rules for a turn
around apply, of course, but I only turn maybe one turn (sit down, inside leg
off, light outside rein contact against neck, wide opening inside rein, outside
leg if needed). When he has completed one turn, I push him forward with both
legs for a few steps, then ask for a turn around again. As soon as I feel him
sucking back I push him out of it again, etc. If he has forward motion but is hitting himself because he is not bringing the inside leg back, I work on that by 'helping' him place that leg. I might have to break the spin down to a very basic level to fix it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Splint boots are mandatory!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Note: When a horse hits himself in a spin (instead of
stepping over the inside leg with the outside leg), he can hurt himself which,
in turn, makes him not want to spin – kind of counter-productive! Also, he will
never spin fast if he is hitting himself – he can actually get tangled up. A correct spin will begin with a step to the inside and back a bit (out of the way of the outside leg), and the outside leg crossing in front of the inside. I work on this before I worry about locking down on a pivot foot when I train the spin. If I spend time with this part of the spin, my horse is comfortable and the rest will take care of itself with time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqMtt1owhQxTSwXf3OQbZO4KvQYGMZ0cBVdqc5uMvIO1MEhB1MhJLErhasaRnfVc-gQbh1nJVyl1pudqQIdUXvQWbmegUFkxBOP9RV8yJkY6ytlcFH7-5WRu5iK5ZMIK30Psk9SdpEFE/s1600/Spin+Example+Cross+Over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqMtt1owhQxTSwXf3OQbZO4KvQYGMZ0cBVdqc5uMvIO1MEhB1MhJLErhasaRnfVc-gQbh1nJVyl1pudqQIdUXvQWbmegUFkxBOP9RV8yJkY6ytlcFH7-5WRu5iK5ZMIK30Psk9SdpEFE/s400/Spin+Example+Cross+Over.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of a horse stepping over his inside leg in a spin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-88187072992921573112012-05-28T17:04:00.000-07:002014-01-14T10:35:48.939-08:00Spin Fix #11: Correcting 'Jumping' into the Spin<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>The problem:</u> Horse jumps into spin instead of
stepping quietly into the spin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Why does this problem happen?</u> When a horse jumps or ‘dives’
into a spin, it is almost certainly a training problem. Someone has spurred him to ask him to spin instead of encouraging him to calmly and quietly take a step.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>How to correct this problem:</u> It’s never good if the
horse is scared and if he dives into a spin, he’s frightened. Our goal, as
trainers/riders is to not let that happen but if it does, we have to get on a
road back as soon as possible to establish trust and relaxation again. That
means, again, <i>going back to basics</i> –
right to the beginning of teaching the spin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Exercise: After I have warmed up my horse – suppling, leg
yielding, jogging, trotting and loping – I quietly walk him in a large circle.
When he’s relaxed, I ask for a half spin to the inside of the circle – no
jerking, no spurring, just asking by sitting down, opening the inside leg, and
lifting the outside rein a bit and waiting. <i>Waiting
is big</i>. At this point, one of two things might happen:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
1. <b>He doesn’t go
anywhere</b>. This is probably because his leap into the spin was in response
to the spur, not outside rein and body aids. In that case, I help him with a little inside rein to direct him.
If he takes one or two steps without leaping into it, I walk him out of it. If
he still doesn’t move when I direct his nose with the inside rein, I bump him
very softly with my outside foot or leg (not spur). Hopefully, he will take a
step but if he jumps to the side, I stop him, walk him forward and try again
only using a bump as a back up. It might take time to get his confidence back
but it will work. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
2. <b>He dives into the
spin</b>, probably with no style as well. As above, I will not let him continue
if he jumps into the spin. I stop him, walk him forward and try again until he
gets one quiet step, then reward him for that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>It’s important for the horse’s head and neck to be low
before being asked for the spin. There will be two strikes against him before
he starts if his head is up. So I always ask him to lower his head and neck
before I ask for a spin. It may come up in the spin but at least we have
started it correctly. He will be calmer with his head and neck low. </i><i>What I want here is
for the horse to be absolutely relaxed before I ask for the spin. Then, in
response to a change in my body and a signal with outside rein that a spin is
going to happen in a certain direction, I hope my horse will quietly tip his
nose in the direction of the spin and quietly take that first step to the side
and back. At that point, he is locked into the spin and I can ask for speed.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8TZr0h3oNPSBA2uBEQw4fFtpOoUBPzNVbciXGIgE_NyyoLHHP4o8bhwhbSDMH0uaEAXapcWFNJOpkgPO5wOFpmNlxUEWijcj3QrG1LUfuuv82pWvcLhx6QUMFt-xwvKwFfkc7dC0htc/s1600/05Sept23_Skye_Spin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8TZr0h3oNPSBA2uBEQw4fFtpOoUBPzNVbciXGIgE_NyyoLHHP4o8bhwhbSDMH0uaEAXapcWFNJOpkgPO5wOFpmNlxUEWijcj3QrG1LUfuuv82pWvcLhx6QUMFt-xwvKwFfkc7dC0htc/s400/05Sept23_Skye_Spin2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Note: I had a horse come to me for training once that did
this. She obviously had been spurred hard into a turn around and that’s how she
thought it was done. It took a few <i>months</i>
to get it fixed but I just kept working on the beginning of the spin, not the
spin itself until she relaxed and stepped. I did not continue if she didn’t step
into the spin quietly. She has a fantastic spin now – starts slowly and
correctly and spins a blur!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-33861339025434384752012-05-21T18:36:00.000-07:002014-01-14T10:35:48.931-08:00Spin Fix #10: Correct "Swapping Ends"<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>The problem:</u> Horse throws hind quarters to the outside as he spins, thereby "swapping ends" instead of turning on the inside pivot foot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Why does this problem happen?</u> If the horse spins “like a top” (i.e. over his middle instead of his hind quarters), he’s not balanced over his pivot foot and has not been schooled enough in the basic turn around to <i>want </i>to do that. Probably he just wants to get around any way he can. He may be trying to hurry (or is encouraged to hurry) before he has mastered the basic maneuver.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>How to correct this problem:</u> If my horse is trying to spin like a top, I go back to basics. One thing for sure – he will not get better by practicing the spin incorrectly. I have to slow it all down, paying particular attention to the outside rein, keeping his body straight and encouraging him to lock his inside hind foot to turn. I may have to support him with a little more contact with the outside rein while directing him with the inside until he learns to pivot on the inside hind. (Beginner riders may not be able to tell if their horse is on the pivot foot so it is helpful to have someone watch.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Exercise: I drive my horse forward in to a small circle keeping him straight between the reins (he may not want to be straight!) and bumping him with my legs for forward motion (he may not want to go forward either!) until he is accepting of what I am asking. Then I change my body (sit down and open inside leg) to ask for a turn around, but continue to bump with the outside leg until he initiates a turn. When he goes into the turn I quit bumping but keep body aids on for the turn for one turn or so. Any time he loses position (does not turn on pivot foot), I go back in to the circle again. I would not ask for many spins at the beginning until his position is consistent and correct in the turn around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Note: When a horse spins like a top, he will not score well. Also, it can be hard to ride, especially if he is spinning fast. With the center of balance in the center of the horse instead of over the pivot foot, centrifugal force can throw a rider out of balance – even off the horse!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5610595672459867676.post-48109404125421786172012-05-14T08:37:00.002-07:002014-01-24T20:10:24.976-08:00Spin Fix #9: Preventing Forward Steps<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>The problem:</u> Horse creeps forward as he spins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Why does this problem happen?</u> If my horse is
constantly moving forward when he spins, he is too ‘flat’ and not balanced over
his pivot foot and is probably 'dropping his shoulders' and becoming too 'flat'. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<u>How to correct this problem:</u> If my horse creeps forward in a spin, the first thing I do is go back to basics and thoroughly review the basic turn-around, being aware of correctness – body alignment, front leg steps and pivot
foot. Unlike the first turn-around lessons where I concentrated more on correct
front legs crossing over, I now think more of pivot foot. Is he turning on the
correct foot? Is he, in fact, turning on the hind quarters? If he is not using
his hind quarters, I will stop him every half-turn but will not allow him to
walk forward. Instead, I collect him and ask for another half-turn. Also, if he is
not taking that first step with his front foot to the side <i>and back</i>, then I work on that because that’s how he gets too flat
and creeps forward. If he continues to flatten out I might, as a last resort, back him up a couple of steps and then ask
for a turn-around, at all times being aware of his front legs – is he crossing
in front and not hitting himself? When he executes half-turns, then whole turns and stays in one spot - neither backing up nor moving forward - I ask for more. If he flattens out too much in the spin again, I might be able to correct him in the spins by lifting my hands; if not, I stop the spin, collect and try again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Note: A horse that
creeps forward up in a spin does not stay in the geographical area of the spin
(thereby incurring a low maneuver score in competition) and can become too
“flat” and lose correctness and/or pivot foot.</i></div>
Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226297946830772490noreply@blogger.com0