A Subtle Change
As you continue working through this lesson, the horse will get more and more relaxed. In fact, you'll realize why you needed a specific "go forward" cue, to tell him to get moving.
Up until now, we've asked a particular part of the horse to move. Now we're going to focus on the long muscle in the horse's neck, but we want to see or feel it relax. And like the other steps in this lesson plan, the horse will already be relaxing it 50% of the time before you focus on it.
Imagine you were shaking hands with someone. You'd easily be able to feel if the other person's arm was relaxed or tense. As the horse gives you his nose the second time, pretend that he was shaking hands with you. There will be a moment where his neck is tense, then it relaxes. That relaxation is what you want to reward.
It's subtle, and the horse may be automatically doing it. If you don't see any change, but you don't feel any stiffness or tension in his neck, then release. Move the tail and release to finish the exercise. Switch sides.
Here are the steps for this part of the lesson:
• Ask the horse to walk, as before.
• Ask the nose to look toward you. When it does, release the rein.
• Check the elevation of the horse's head. If it's where you want it, then go on to the next step. If not, then ask him to drop his head.
• Pick up the rein again, focusing on the long muscle on the horse's neck. When you see it relax (usually as the horse turns his nose toward you), release the rein.
• Move the tail, then release the rein.
From the Saddle
Now that you have the exercise down pat from the ground, you'll easily be able to translate it to riding. After all, it's the same horse and the same rein. The only difference is that your legs will tell him to go forward, instead of the whip signal. Be definite in your movements, but not hurried or aggressive.
Ride the horse forward. Pick up the left rein and think about the horse's hindquarters moving to the right. Hold steady, even pressure on the left rein until you feel the horse's rear end shift over. Release the rein. Ride him forward and do the same thing with the right rein.
Be sure that you don't use leg cues to tell the horse to turn. We're conditioning the horse to rein cues only right now.
When the horse is "giving" with his hindquarters well, then turn your attention to his nose. Ride forward and pick up the left rein. When the horse turns his nose to the left, release the rein. Immediately pick up the left rein and move the hips over. Release the rein. Practice from both sides.
Ride forward and pick up the left rein. Ask the nose to give to the left, as when you were on the ground. Release the rein. Pick up the left rein again and hold pressure on it until you see the tip of the horse's left ear go down, then release the rein. Pick it up and again move the tail over. Release and change sides.
As you repeat this exercise, notice when the long muscle in the horse's neck will relax. When that's happening at least 50% of the time, then it's time to ask for it to happen. Ride forward and ask for the nose. Release. Then the ear and release. Then pick up the rein again and release it the moment you see the long muscle relax. Move the tail and release the rein.
Practical Application
So now that you have this drill down pat, what can you do with it? You can use the whole exercise or pieces of it, depending on your situation.
Having trouble turning your horse? Forget about steering his nose. Point his tail where you don't want to go, and he'll automatically be aimed in the correct direction.
What about the horse who's upset because his buddy is leaving? Work him through the entire exercise. It will help him to calm down and give you control over each part of his body at the same time.
Is your horse balking about going out of the driveway or trying to rear? Move his tail, release. Work through the exercise, getting his head at the elevation you want. That will keep his front feet on the ground.
Or maybe your horse is just a little frisky heading out on the trail or when another horse enters the arena. No problem. Move his hips, ask his nose to give, then drop his head, then relax his neck, move his hips, and so forth. You'll have him looking like a show ring winner in no time.
