Clinton Anderson: Move Your Horse's Front End

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By Clinton Anderson with J. Forsberg Meyer
Photos by Kevin McGowan

In our last lesson, you learned to disengage your horse's hindquarters; this time we'll focus on his other end. Control of your horse's forequarters equals control of his direction of movement. That, in turn, means more respect for you. Why? Because your horse's estimation of you as his leader increases when he realizes you can determine where he puts his feet (just as the boss horse in a herd determines where the other horses put their feet).

Plus, this exercise, combined with the last exercise (disengaging the hind end) and the next exercise (backing up), will form the foundation for my longeing for respect, which, in turn, is perhaps the key component of my groundwork program.

Right now, my student Renee Humphries will demonstrate the correct way to use a training stick and her body language as she yields the forequarters of her Appaloosa gelding, Sammy. Then Renee and Sammy will show you what it looks like through a full quarter-circle's worth of front-end yielding. I'll explain what's happening along the way, and Renee will share her insights, as well.

To Get the Most from This Lesson:

Outfit your horse in a rope halter with a 14-foot lead. I prefer my own halters, which have extra knots on the noseband for improved responsiveness, but any stiff rope halter will do.
Grab your training stick. If you don't have one, make one using a sturdy, 4-foot-long stick. Or, use a dressage whip.
Work with your horse several times a week--ideally on consecutive days to speed his learning. Remain calm and patient at all times, and work both sides equally.