Clinton Anderson, the founder of Downunder Horsemanship, is one of the best communicators in the business-and one of the most successful. His RFD-TV show is wildly popular. His Walkabout Tour clinics are standing room only. His name is a "horsehold" word. Originally from Australia, he now runs a state-of-the-art equine facility in Belle Center, Ohio.
At a recent Walkabout Tour in Wenatchee, Washington, Joel Penfold, a custom saddlemaker and farrier, was in the audience. "I've enjoyed his RFD-TV shows, but he's even better in person," Penfold reports. "There were about 20 riders, and he patiently worked with each of them until they achieved what they were attempting. It was educational and confidence-building. From an audience perspective, whatever skill level you might have, there was something for you. I was impressed."
Here, Anderson shares three exercises designed to eliminate problems riders commonly face on the trail. Before you begin, outfit your horse in a snaffle bit - a true snaffle that doesn't have shanks. A snaffle bit will apply pressure to your horse's mouth only, which will enhance his response to your cues. Work in an enclosed arena with good footing.
Exercise #1: Perform lateral flexion.
To help gain control of your horse on the trail, work on his lateral flexion (side-to-side flexibility) at home. This will encourage him to be responsive to your leg and rein cues. Horses don't have hard mouths - they have hard bodies! If you can soften and supple your horse's body, his mouth will be soft and supple, too, which will lead to greater control. This exercise takes away his ability to balance against you, push against the reins, and run off.
Step 1. Flex to the left. Walk your horse counterclockwise on a three-to-four-foot-diameter circle. As you do, ask him to bend his head and neck until it touches your left foot. Do this by sliding your left hand down the left rein, and pulling it back toward your hip. Use inside (left) leg pressure to ask him to bend his rib cage.
Step 2. Reward the slightest try. Horsemanship isn't so much about what you do-it's about when you stop doing what you're doing. So, the quicker you can release, the quicker your horse will understand; and the quicker he understands, the quicker you'll see results. The instant your horse softens and gives - even a little bit - release the pressure on the rein and the leg. Be patient: It may take 15 to 20 minutes before he starts to soften.
Step 3. Flex to the right. After you've achieved a positive response on the left side, straighten up, walk straight for 15 feet, then repeat the exercise to the right.
