Walking On Volume 2, Issue 4, April 2015 | Page 10

trying to figure out what you are asking
him to do. Do not increase the level of
pressure; stay with him, and keep asking.
When he stops backing but still does not
respond then you can increase your pressure.
If your horse moves forward to run
away from pressure, immediately back
him 10-20 steps and start over again.
Make sure you are not standing too far
back (so your body language is moving
him forward), but do not otherwise let
him move forward. He is entering your
space unbidden, and that is not safe.

NEXT STEPS

Once your horse smoothly releases
from both the front and the back, alternate between them; release the hind, then
release the front. See if you can get him
to release by just looking at the point of
his hip or his shoulder. Back in between
releases, and make sure to praise and give
time to rest.

LEADING

The final exercise for gaining your
horse’s respect on the ground is teaching
him how to lead safely. The reasons for
the exercise need little explanation; you
cannot have a horse that runs up over
you, cuts you off, or steps on your feet
when you cross in front of him. In the
wild, the dominant horse is truly the one
in the lead, and all others follow.
If you watch ten different people with
their horses, you will see ten different
styles of leading. Some people lead with
their horse’s head in front of them; some
lead walking next to their horse’s poll;
some lead with the rope looped around
their horse’s neck; some lead with the
horse far behind them. For the purpose
of gaining respect, you will learn to lead
with your horse behind your right shoulder; if your horse is behind you you will
be able to cross in front of him without
pushing him out of the way, and he will
have space to come to a stop without run B