You may notice moments of straightness in your horse that you would like to feel all the time, such as when you are riding back to the barn after a hard day’s work, a trail ride or training. What makes these moments so different than when you were trying to ride straight down the rail?
The difference is that you are generally more relaxed when you are done training or trail riding. You have finished your work and hopefully your horse did a good job and you are proud of him. So, as a treat to their horse most people will ride back to the barn on a loose rein and kind of just go along for the ride. Well, that is the key to straightness.
When riding back from the barn, you will want to have the same relaxed feeling whether you are going to or away from the barn. Many times when people leave the barn or enter the arena they are all pumped and tense. You may just be excited because you are going to try out some new piece of tack or you are going to tackle a maneuver that you have been having problems with. The problem here, however, is that you are tense and probably rushing the horse. Try to hold your excitement in and relax on your way to work or train your horse. You want the horse to have the same idea about going to work as he does going back to the barn.
The best way to accomplish this is to show the horse the path with the least resistance. If you are working on the rail and he veers off, help him back over to where you want to be and then relieve the pressure. Go back to riding as though you are going back to the barn. You may also choose to ride in a serpentine pattern and think to your self, “I am going to ride my horse from this pole of the arena fence to that pole of the arena fence in a straight line.” Begin working your way down the arena and give your horse guidance whenever he veers. This guidance is pressure and he will learn that the better route is the one where he receives no pressure.
The key to this procedure working is that as soon as he veers off, you will give him pressure. Do not wait until he is already heading in another direction to correct him, as he will just think you want to turn that way. You will eventually find a spot in the middle and the horse will feel like he is perfectly between your knees. You will want to start this process at a walk and then gradually work your way up to faster gaits. The horse is able to learn better at the slower gaits and he will soon figure out what you are looking for. Practice this going to various spots on your farm or on the trail. You may find that the horse will veer in a direction directly towards the barn, for example, but give him pressure and go directly to the corner of the barn instead of the door. He will figure out what you want and he will begin to fall in line.
There are many reasons that a horse may loose his straightness. Many colts will begin to adjust their gaits because they are often worked in the round pen and are going in a lot of circles. They begin to adjust their gait to make it more comfortable. To make your colts work straight, try driving them down the arena fence in a straight line at the walk. If they try to veer in a circle, step in front of their shoulder to make them stop. Regroup and step behind their shoulder to begin driving them again. Make them work slowly until the pick up the idea. Work with colts from both sides, this will ensure that your colts will begin learning to make their gaits straight no matter what direction they are going in. You will slowly want to work up to faster gaits, but this may also become a work out for you, especially if they are on the lunge line.
Working with your horse before he looses straightness will make it easier to regain under the saddle. If your horse just likes to veer from the rail, this method will help you there as well. When your horse is moving straight and you both are on the same track, you will find yourself having to give your horse very few directional cues and even your training rides will be more relaxed.
Ron Petracek - Equine Article Director http://www.TheEquinelot.comEquine Classifieds,Equine Business,Equine Forum
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