When the horse offers a soft nose by
bringing the muzzle off the bit pressure and breaking slightly at the poll, as he is complet- ing a couple of steps, offer your release. Te challenge is not in geting the response but rather in holding back and only asking for a reasonable amount. When you jump ahead and ask for six steps with a soſt nose, your horse may stop, brace, then start up again, and since you cannot release on an incorrect answer, you must start over and wait for the right feel again. However, when you release early and oſten, the rhythm, relaxation and response improve.
HANDS AND LEGS A common mistake occurs when a rider
uses more bit pressure with his hands to speed up the tempo of the backing feet. Tis has negative effects:
» Te rider’s hands tend to pull the mouth and further frustrate the horse.
» The heavy bit pressure can cause the horse’s shoulders to drop and inhibit a light front end with active steps.
» Te horse can brace against the bit and set off a chain of reactions that will inhibit teaching. Tis can include a hollow pos- ture and mental tension.
» Te horse becomes desensitized to an im- portant signal. Without escalation—light toward firm—more pressure is needed as it becomes irrelevant.
» Te horse’s neck becomes contracted. Te hands should be reserved for shaping
the neck and head, while your legs, seat and energy motivate the horse’s feet. Remember, most skills taught require willing feet and a yield to pressure. Your hands take care of the “give” while your legs motivate the feet. So, when the horse’s feet lose rhythm and he stalls aſter a couple of steps, do not increase your hand strength, but rather escalate your legs, insisting on movement.
NEVER QUIT ON A CUE I recently worked with a rider on backing
up. I explained what I wanted her to do, and she began cueing her horse to back. When all was said and done, the horse had backed only a couple of steps and with his nose high in the air. I told her that I counted seven releases before she had finished. Each time you release pressure, your horse
learns how to find his peace. When your hands are constantly moving and adjusting to signal him, he becomes confused. I then had her ask for a backing step once, with only one pres-
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Here the hands are firm, but not moving. Te horse is level and slightly broken at the poll. Te feet are willing and moving in the right direction. Te mouth and jaw are more relaxed and not bracing on the pressure created by the bit. Tis horse is quite green and just begin- ning shoulder work but starting to back nicely.
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