GO FORWARD CUE IN THE SADDLE
This is one of the most commonly abused cues that we teach our horses, how many riders do we see riding their horses and constantly banging their legs on the horse to keep him moving forward? This not only teaches your horse to ignore the go forward cue but makes it much harder and tiring for the riders.

We need to spend time getting the horse taught to go forward off the leg properly, ie ask and then forwardÉ This is how we can teach our horse to move forward freely and on cue every time.

STEP 1: Make sure that your leg position is correct, Lying just behind the girth.

STEP 2: Have your horse on a loose rein so that he is free to answer your cue

STEP 3: Lift your legs off the horse and then apply pressure to his side with a bump, not a kick, evenly both sides.

STEP 4: If your horse ignores step 3, repeat the same but this time add more pressure.

STEP5: If your horse still ignores the cue then repeat step 3 and add a lot of pressure so the you are now giving him a firm cue to move forward.

So now you have a lesson plan to develop a go forward cue. 1–bump with legs; 2–bump harder with legs; 3–As much pressure as you can with your legs.

This lesson plan needs to be practiced every time that you ride to make sure that your go forward cue is not getting burnt out, be aware that when your horse moves forward that you leave your legs off, only have them lying on his side. Remember you can burn this cue out (teach him too ignore) as quick as you taught it if you continually bump him with your legs after he has moved forward.


HOW TO MOUNT YOUR HORSE SAFELY
By David Simons
We all know that mounting a horse can be a problem and sometimes dangerous, what you need to do is some pre-ride checks to make sure that the horse is ready . Always have yourself mentally prepared for mounting prior to approaching the horse. We have been through all of the ground work...getting the horse to give to the bit, control his direction and pay attention. So now it's time to climb aboard.

Getting on the horse is not about putting your foot in the stirrup and climbing on, there are several steps involved to accomplish this.

1. Ask the horse to move around you as well as giving to the bit, then ask him to move his hip over several times, making sure that you can do this on both sides consistently.

2. When you have moved the horse around you several times and he is paying attention, grab the stirrup iron and bang it against the saddle so that it makes a noise. You might find that the horse will get a bit nervous and run around you. DonÕt worry about this as we want the horse to move. As the horse is going around you, ask the horse to give to the bit and give in the jaw and neck, making sure that you keep banging the stirrup leather until you see the horse relax and then stand still. Remember to do this on both sides, then pull the stirrups towards you to simulate the saddle moving on the withers as this movement is the most common thing that will happen when we go to get on. The horse needs to be used to the weight shift, so when we do put weight in the stirrup it is nothing new to him.

3. When this has been done and the horse shows he is ready and relaxed, then it's time to get ready to mount. Take the slack out of the left rein, (tipping the nose in towards you) grab hold of some mane, face towards the back of the horse, put your left foot in the stirrup, then add a bit of weight, take your foot out then ask the horse to move to another position and repeat the same process. Then change sides.

4. When the horse is comfortable with you putting your foot in the stirrup and adding a bit of weight, go through the same process, but this time grab hold of the mane with your left hand, place your foot in the stirrup, take hold of the back of the saddle, lift yourself up about a foot off the ground, wait a minute, then step down, ask the horse to move off and repeat the same process.

5. Once step 4 is consistent, then you need to progress, so once again place your foot in the stirrup and step up until you are standing in the stirrup, wait a minute then step down, asking him to move off and repeat in another place. This needs to be done from both sides.

6. Now you can get up and down and have the horse comfortable, you need to climb up and lie across the saddle, then pat the horse all over his side from the shoulder to the rib cage as well as the flank. Do this for a short moment then get off and reward and ask him to move then repeat. This must be done on both sides, remember that throughout all of these steps you must always keep a short left rein and have his nose tipped towards you, then if he moves at any stage you will disengage his hips and remain safe. Once he is comfortable with you rubbing him all over then next time you get up, stay standing in the stirrup and encourage him to move his hips over, taking enough time so that he is relaxed . This will help you for later when you are sitting on him to take a step forward. Also help with safety as the hips are to dis-engage the horse and stop him if in doubt.

7. Now you are ready to put your leg over and sit in the saddle, do not decide to do this when you are half up, make the decision to get on before you start, then it will be done smoothly and easily. Once you are in the saddle sit for a minute, get off. Repeat both sides, then mix it up, if you get on the near side, get off the off side, and visa versa. Repeat these steps until the horse is completely comfortable with you getting up and down.

8. Now that you are on board you can pick up each rein and ask him to shift his hips over and this will kick start him to move off, if he moves off let him walk until he wants to stop, when he does give him a big pat.


STANDING STILL & SQUARE...(PDF format, Adobe Reader required).

All material © 2006 David & Sandi Simons.