It is extremely important, during the first
100 rides for a young horse, that you do not apply steady pressure to the reins.
Do not hold a short rein, do not make a steady pull on the reins.
Anything that restricts unschooled horses tends to frighten them. You do
not want to create fear in the horse. Ride with as loose a rein as you can,
tipping the nose into the direction of travel by making "bumps" on the rein
followed by an immedate release. If the horse tips the nose with the first
bump, release and praise. If it takes several bumps, release after each
bump and praise. It is the release which teaches...not the bump.
Use your legs with gentle pressure to "push" the horse as a means of asking him
to follow his nose. |
Training Performance Horses Bump and Release |
At the walk. To start video click on arrow on viewer. |
At the jog. To start video click on arrow on viewer. |