Prepare
Outfit your horse in a sturdy halter (any kind is fine) and a 10–12-foot lead rope as I’m using here on CMA No Worries (Wowie), a 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. You also will need a dressage whip or other training stick to act as an extension of your arm. Protective boots or wraps are optional for your horse, and while I’m not wearing them in these photos, I strongly recommend wearing leather gloves.
I hold the rope in my left hand and the whip in my right. Notice that I grasp the folded rope in the center and do not coil it around my hand where I could be injured should Wowie pull. I circle him in a counterclockwise direction because it is natural to work from the side we lead from. In addition, I’m right handed and can use the whip more accurately with my dominant hand.
Work your horse in a level and preferably enclosed area, such as a ring or round pen, with good footing. If at all possible, choose a location that you can back your trailer into, such as the opening to this outdoor dressage arena.
This article originally appeared in the July 2012 issue of Practical Horseman magazine.
