improving steering

longhorngal · #1 10/18/10, 10:20 AM

Does anyone have a link or two to online articles to improve directional control on a horse?
I found one pretty good one but would like to find some more to work on our horses with. Ideas for kids riding would be great. My daughter is having a bit of trouble with her mare going to the gate all the time.
Here's the one I found:
http://www.myhorse.com/gps-get-power...our-horse.html

levi1739 · #2 10/18/10, 12:24 PM

I doubt that your horse returning to the gate is a steering problem but rather a sympton of much more. We refer to the gates leading from our arena (or roundpen) as "the magnet" and often use it to judge the riders ability to control the horse. When I work with inexperienced riders I look for their ability to ride their horse away from the gate and towards other "objects" in the arena or round pen. When the rider becomes confident enough to "take" their horse wherever they want (and when they want) in the arena/rp, we open the gate and see how they handle the increased energy (towards the gate) in the horse. Once they can control the horse by keeping him from passing through the gate, we let them ride through and then have them ride back through the gate into the arena. Once they are capable of riding the horse 'in and out' of the arena whenever they feel like it (with confidence) we find they usually have enough control of the horse to begin exploring some of the challenges in the big outdoors.

It may seem like you have a steering problem but I suspect the horse knows that it is in control of it's direction and not your daughter. There are many methods to use with this problem including working the horse harder near the gate and letting him relax away from it etc. Do a search on 'herd bound' or 'barn sour' horses and I suspect you will get a lot of ideas of what is happening with your horse.

Sorry if this doesn't answer you question with much detail but the problem can't be overcome without first gaining some insight into what's causing it. Steering is likely just a small part of the whole picture.

Have fun, be safe

Jack

longhorngal · #3 10/18/10, 02:14 PM

Hi Jack,
Thanks, you make some very good points. The problem with the gate where we ride is it goes down a small slope and has over hanging branches. I guess Iwill have to get DH out there and cut down the limbs and have her work her over there. I am familiar with the "working them harder by where they want to go and then letting them rest away from it" It does make a great deal of sense. I do think the mare and my daughter (she has been taking lessons for 3 months) could benefit from some patterns and lessons specific on getting where she wants to go just in general.
Any ideas on working her harder in an area where there is a slope? My daughter has a pretty good seat and is confident so I guess we can just get those branches cut and see how it goes. The mare isn't awful just persistent about getting to the gate!

levi1739 · #4 10/18/10, 03:40 PM

I don't think working the horse on a slope would be the best idea unless the rider is very experienced. I also don't think you need to work right next to the gate. Just do your work in a good spot, as near the gate as possible but be very aware of the horses intentions and focus on rewarding the horse away from the gate, and keeping his mind/feet busy as he goes toward it. Getting him busy and paying attention to the rider are the key things to focus on.

Patterns are a good way to practice and will help improve most horses if they are done consistantly. Small circles are good, since the allow the horse to approach and retreat from the gate on each revolution. Figure eights would double the amount of repetitions in each direction. My favorite pattern, which I use to help with straightness (amongst other things) is the cloverleaf. Imagine a "plus sign" and loop around each end to form a four leaf clover. Do it turning to the right, at each end, for a number of repetitions and then switch and repeat with the turns to the left. This is an excellent exercise and really helps the horse and rider to focus on the job at hand. The size of the clover isn't important, it's the constant change of directions and focus on "where your going next" that really seems to help.You might find some examples on you tube if you search 'riding cloverleaf patterns'.

I hope this gives you some ideas. Low limbs and slopes would worry me so do take it easy and be careful. You might even have your daughter do some of these type exercises while leading the horse. Familiarity with the patterns may be a benefit to them both.

Have fun, be safe

Jack