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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

WICKS Equine

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽
If your horse can back softly from steady pressure on their nose on a straight line, that’s a really solid foundation. The next step is learning how to 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 without losing softness, rhythm, or connection. That’s where adding corners, curves, and even weaving your horse backwards through cones becomes important.

As soon as the work becomes more challenging, many horses start to get heavy, lean into the pressure, or feel resistant. That doesn’t mean they don’t understand the exercise. It usually means their balance and alignment are starting to break down.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀
Straight lines are forgiving. As soon as you introduce corners or curves while backing up, the horse has to organise their body much more carefully. If they’re not able to stay balanced on their hindquarters, they’ll often compensate by leaning onto their shoulders or into the steady pressure.

This is where riders often feel stuck. Pushing harder or holding more pressure usually makes the horse brace even more. Softness disappears, rhythm changes, and the backup starts to feel heavy and disconnected.

𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲
In this lesson, I work through how to 𝗮𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 so the backup stays soft as the work progresses. Instead of pulling or asking harder, I focus on alignment.

By asking the nose, neck, and shoulders to move slightly to the outside of the turn, the hindquarters can step in and support the movement. When the hindquarters are engaged properly, the horse no longer needs to lean into the pressure to get through the turn.

That’s when the shoulders start to lighten and the backup begins to feel softer and more rhythmic again.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽
The goal isn’t just to get the horse backing around a corner. The goal is to keep the 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺, 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 you had on the straight line.

When alignment improves, the feet become more organised. The horse can back up without bracing, rushing, or falling through the shoulder. This is where steady pressure yields really start to develop into something more advanced and useful.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀
Corners, curves, and weaving patterns are an important part of advancing steady pressure backup yields. They show you exactly where balance and alignment still need work, and they help the horse become more adjustable and responsive to subtle changes.

When you take the time to address those pieces instead of pushing through resistance, the backup becomes lighter, more controlled, and much more fluid. That softness and balance then carries over into everything else you do, both on the ground and under saddle.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺
This kind of training isn’t about quick fixes or forcing a result. It’s about building understanding, balance, and clarity so the horse can stay soft even as the work becomes more challenging.

That’s what creates consistency, confidence, and real progress over time. When the foundation is right, advancing the work feels logical instead of frustrating.

This lesson is one small example of how thoughtful, correct groundwork can improve the way your horse moves, responds, and carries themselves — not just in backing up, but across all areas of training.

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3 months ago | [YT] | 0

WICKS Equine

Does Your Horse Drift or Switch Off on a Circle?

One exercise I use a lot, especially early in a ride, is hooking onto a small circle at the trot. It might look simple, but there’s a lot going on underneath it. For me, this exercise is less about the circle itself and more about getting the horse’s mind in the direction I want to go.

When I start a horse on a small circle, I’m checking in on their focus. Are they actually with me, or are they just drifting around the arena? If a horse isn’t mentally committed to the direction, steering will always feel harder than it needs to. That’s why I like using this as a warm-up. It helps settle their thinking before I ask for anything more technical.

The small circle asks the horse to concentrate. They have to pay attention to where they’re putting their feet, how they’re balancing, and how they’re responding to the rein and leg. If their mind wanders, it usually shows up pretty quickly. You’ll feel them fall out through the shoulder, get heavy, or just not thinking about the circle mentally.

While I’m doing this exercise, I’m looking for relaxation in the body. I want the horse to stay soft, not tight or anxious. If they brace or rush, I’ll slow things down and help them find a calmer rhythm. A relaxed body makes it much easier for a horse to guide and steer willingly, instead of feeling like you’re constantly holding them together.

This exercise is just as much mental as it is physical. When a horse can stay focused on a small circle at the trot, everything else in the ride starts to improve. Transitions feel smoother and steering feels clearer.

I don’t see hooking onto a small circle as drilling or micromanaging. It’s a way to quietly say, “This is the line, this is the direction, and I’d like you to stay with me here.” Once the horse understands that, the rest of the work becomes much easier.

So next time you’re trotting a small circle, don’t just think about the shape. Think about the horse’s mind. If you can get their attention first, their body will usually follow. That’s when steering starts to feel lighter, calmer, and more connected — and that’s exactly what I’m looking for before moving on with the ride.

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3 months ago | [YT] | 0

WICKS Equine

Helping Your Horse Find Calm: The Power of Being Calm With Your Horse

Have you ever been in a moment where you can feel your horse right on the edge? Maybe they start to fidget, their eyes widen, their muscles tighten, and you can feel their nervous system starting to take over. It’s not a great place to be — for the horse or the human.

This is what I call a nervous system activation, when the fight or flight response kicks in. These moments can feel confronting, but they’re also incredibly important learning opportunities if we know how to handle them.

I was reminded of this recently while working with a five-year-old Quarter Horse called Smootchy.

When a Horse Is Stuck Between Freeze and Flight

At a previous clinic, Smootchy’s owner described him as flipping between two states — freezing and flight. One moment he’d shut down, the next he’d explode and try to run. That tells me his nervous system wasn’t coping, and his brain didn’t yet have a safe place to land.

That kind of behaviour makes training hard, because learning can’t happen unless the horse feels safe and connected.

Reading the Moment, Not Just the Behaviour

When I first met Smootchy, he was already sitting in a high flight state. As his owner was talking, a noise outside caught his attention and tipped him straight over the edge. His body tightened, his focus disappeared, and the panic response took over.

Moments like that are critical. Not because we need to “fix” the horse quickly, but because how we respond can either help them come back to calm — or push them further into fear.

Calm Leadership Without Escalation

I didn’t rush in to shut the behaviour down. At first I allowed Smootchy to move a little, guiding his hindquarters so he could move his feet and release some of that nervous energy. At the same time, I was setting a boundary — we weren’t running off and we weren’t escalating.

When I could feel the behaviour building too quickly, I stepped into what I call an assertive leadership role. That doesn’t mean getting tense, loud, or emotional. It simply means taking responsibility for the energy in the space.

And this part is important — even though I became more directive with the rope, my internal state didn’t change. I stayed calm, regulated, and grounded.

Your Nervous System Matters More Than You Think

When a horse is in fight or flight, they’re not thinking — they’re reacting. That means we can’t meet chaos with chaos. We have to be the steady nervous system they can borrow from.

Smootchy needed to move through that energy before he could settle. Once things came back under control, I gave him space to walk and process. You can’t demand calm in these moments — you have to help the horse find it.

The Balance Between Doing and Being

This work really highlights something I talk about a lot — the balance between “doing” and “being”.

The “doing” is the technique. The rope, the positioning, the timing, the boundaries. You see that in how I guide the horse through a tense moment.

But the “being” is just as important. It’s how I regulate my own body. How I breathe. How I stay emotionally neutral and present. That’s the part that’s less visible, but it’s often the difference between a horse calming down or spiralling further.

Helping the Horse Come Back to Learning

As Smootchy started to settle, my focus shifted. It wasn’t about stopping the behaviour — it was about helping him find a better mental and emotional state.

Gradually, he moved from frantic and reactive to more present and engaged. He started checking back in, responding, and actually being available for learning. That’s when real progress starts to happen.

The Two States I’m Always Looking For

In my training, I’m always working toward two key states:

First, a state of learning and connection, where the horse is present, engaged, and able to respond.

Second, a deep state of relaxation, where the horse feels safe enough to fully let go.

Neither of these can be forced. They come from good technique paired with calm, regulated energy.

It’s Not Just About What You Do

The biggest takeaway from working with Smootchy — and from my training approach in general — is that it’s never just about what you do. It’s about how you are while you’re doing it.

The more centred and regulated we are, the safer our horses feel. And when horses feel safe, they can learn, relax and trust again — even after fear takes over.

So if you’re working with a nervous horse, or even just navigating everyday moments where things feel a bit tense, remember this: your emotional state matters. Stay calm, stay grounded, and your horse will feel it.

That’s how real trust, understanding and connection are built — quietly, consistently and over time.

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3 months ago | [YT] | 1

WICKS Equine

From Resistance to Willingness: Changing Your Horse’s Attitude Toward Leg Pressure

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly “arguing” with your horse every time you put your leg on, you’re not alone. Some horses rush forward the second they feel leg. Others do the opposite and just brace or ignore you. Either way, the issue usually isn’t the horse being naughty — it’s that they don’t fully understand, or they don’t fully accept what the leg means.

For me, this isn’t about forcing a horse through pressure. It’s about teaching them that leg pressure is just communication. It means something. And when they give the right response, the pressure goes away.

What Resistance Is Really Telling You

A horse that rushes off the leg often thinks leg always means “go faster.” They don’t relax into it — they react to it. A horse that won’t go forward is usually saying, “I don’t want to engage,” or “I’m not sure what you want,” or sometimes simply, “I’ve learned I can ignore that.”

In both cases, you’re not trying to win a fight. You’re trying to change the horse’s mindset so the leg becomes a cue they can respond to calmly.

The Goal: A Soft Response and a Better Attitude

Here’s the part people miss: it’s not enough that the horse technically does the right thing. I want the horse to do it with a better attitude — softer through the body and softer in the mind.

You’ll feel the difference. A horse can “comply” while still being resentful — pinned ears, tail swishing, tight through the back, just generally cranky about it. That tells you they’re still resisting mentally, even if their feet are moving.

So the aim is always willingness, not just obedience.

If Your Horse Rushes Off the Leg

When a horse rushes, the temptation is to hold them back with the reins. But pulling usually just creates more brace and more frustration. Instead, I’d rather repeat the exercise until the horse works out that leg pressure doesn’t automatically mean speed.

Put the leg on, ask the question, and keep repeating the pattern until you feel the horse start to relax instead of surge forward. You’re looking for the moment they soften and think, not the moment they brace and resist.

And when they give you that softer response — that’s when you release. That timing is what teaches them.

If Your Horse Won’t Go Forward

For the horse that won’t go, the rule is simple: leg goes on and stays on until the horse steps forward, then you take it off. Not a big dramatic deal. Just a clear, consistent pattern.

If they don’t respond, the pressure stays there. The second they try, you release. That’s how they learn the answer.

Over time the horse realises, “If I move off the leg, life gets easier.” And that’s when the forward starts to feel light and honest instead of sticky and resistant.

Watch the Attitude, Not Just the Feet

This is where the real training happens. If your horse is still swishing their tail, pinning their ears, or feeling tight and resentful, don’t just let it slide because they moved their feet.

Stay with light, consistent pressure until you feel them soften mentally. Sometimes that means waiting through a few seconds of “I don’t want to.” The moment the horse lets go — even a little — you reward by releasing.

You’re not just training the body. You’re changing how they feel about the cue.

Repetition Builds Understanding

This sort of change doesn’t happen in one ride. You chip away at it. You repeat the same clear question and the same clear reward until the horse starts to respond without stress.

And one day you realise you’re not “arguing” anymore. You put your leg on and the horse just goes, calmly and willingly. That’s the shift you’re want.

Why This Matters for Everything Else

Once a horse accepts leg pressure properly, everything improves. Contact gets softer. Transitions get cleaner. The horse becomes more rideable and more enjoyable because they’re not bracing against you all the time.

So if your horse rushes off the leg or refuses to go, don’t skip past it. Go back to the basics, keep it simple, and be patient. In the end, it’s not just about getting the right response — it’s about helping the horse feel good about giving it.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 1

WICKS Equine

Lunging – Clear, Calm Communication

Lunging is often seen as just a warm-up, but how we show up on the lunge can have a big influence on our horse’s balance, understanding, and mindset.

One of the most common things I see is people being a bit too busy when lunging. Too much movement from the human, too many cues, and too much stick. It usually comes from wanting to help, but it can actually do the opposite. The horse can become confused, dull, or start taking over the job and before long it can feel like the horse is lunging the human instead of the other way around.

When lunging, less movement from you is often more.

Use your cue clearly and with intention, then lower your stick and release the moment your horse responds. This is what I call active neutral. You’re not passive and you’re not disconnected, but you’re also not micromanaging every stride. You’re calm, centred and ready to step back in only if you need to.

Once you’ve asked your horse to go forward, it’s fair to expect them to be responsible for maintaining the direction and gait. With your stick on the ground, allow your horse to carry themselves until you ask for a change. This builds clarity, self-responsibility and confidence, rather than dependence on constant input for you.

Another really important part of lunging is watching your horse’s emotional state. A busy or anxious mind often shows up as tension in the body. Look for signs of relaxation; a soft eye, a lowered head, a deeper breath, or a smoother rhythm. These moments tell you your horse is starting to feel more settled and balanced, so make sure you acknowledge them and reward that relaxation in between moving their feet.

Lunging isn’t about controlling every step. It’s about clear communication, timely release and giving your horse the space to understand what you’re asking.

Small adjustments in how you show up when lunging can make a big difference over time.

Clear, calm, and consistent always wins.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 0

WICKS Equine

Building Focus and Balance on a Small Circle

One of my favourite warm-up exercises for horses of all ages, especially young horses, is working on a small circle with a soft, loose rein. It’s simple, but incredibly powerful when done correctly.

The idea is to allow your horse to stay on the circle by following your focus and body position, rather than holding them there with your hands. Start on a small circle at the walk or trot and keep your reins relaxed. Turn your body on the line of the circle and really focus where you want to go.

If your horse drifts off the imaginary circle, pick up both reins and smoothly draw them across the neck, while using your outside leg to guide them back to your small circle. As soon as your horse is back on the circle, put your hands back down into a neutral position and soften the reins again. Then continue riding the circle using your focus and body.

Try to avoid micromanaging your horse with the inside rein. Most people don’t realise how much they hold their horse on a circle with that inside hand. A good way to think about it is this, imagine taking the bridle off your horse. How would you keep them hooked onto the circle? You’d have to use your focus, your body position, and your weight.

When a horse mentally hooks onto a circle, they become far easier to soften and work with physically. Once you have their mind, they will give you so much more access to their body. When you get this exercise right, balance improves, tension reduces, and everything starts to feel lighter and more connected.

This exercise isn’t about perfection or forcing a shape. It’s about helping your horse understand their job, stay mentally engaged, and build balance in a calm, relaxed way. Used regularly, it’s a great foundation exercise that sets your ride up for success from the very beginning.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 0

WICKS Equine

Mastering Directional Changes with Cones

When you’re training a horse, one of the most useful things you can teach them is how to smoothly change direction, especially at a walk and trot. It’s a fundamental skill that helps them stay attentive and responsive to your cues, and it lays the groundwork for more complex manoeuvres later on. Today, I’m going to walk you through a simple yet effective exercise using two cones, which will help you communicate with your horse and build connection through your body language.

Let’s talk about the basic concept of the exercise: you’ll be guiding your horse in a figure-eight pattern, moving between the two cones at a walk and trot. The beauty of this exercise lies in its simplicity—two cones and your own body language and communication stick. But as we dive deeper, you’ll see how much this can help you refine your connection and understanding with your horse.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Cones

First things first: set up two cones, spaced about 6-8 meters apart. The distance will depend on your horse’s size and comfort, but for now, aim for a comfortable space where your horse can easily walk, and then trot between them. This simple obstacle will act as a guide for both you and your horse, providing a visual marker to help maintain focus and direction.

Step 2: Finding Your Body Position

Now, before we even begin moving the horse, let’s take a moment to focus on your own body position. Your body plays a huge role in guiding your horse. In this exercise, you’ll want to walk in a V-shape, guiding your horse through the middle of the cones as you move from one cone to the other. Your shoulders and hips need to be aligned with the direction you want your horse to go, so make sure you’re turning your body in the direction of the change and support with your stick. You will also have to swap your stick under your rope as you change directions. As you walk in that V shape, remember that the idea is to communicate with your horse through your body and stick.

Step 3: Drawing and Re-directing with Your Body and Stick

Here’s where it starts to get fun. As you move through the V-shape, you’ll notice that your body should first “draw” your horse towards you, then you support and drive your horse around the cone with your stick. This is why your body positioning is so important. You’re creating a visual and energetic cue that your horse first can follows. As you walk toward the first cone, your horse will start to understand that they need to turn with you toward the second cone. The direction you face and the subtle shift in your posture and stick will give them the sign to change direction.

If your horse isn’t quite getting the idea, that’s okay! It’s perfectly normal for them to take a little time to adjust. If necessary, you can use your stick as a gentle reinforcement to guide them in the right direction. The stick isn’t about force—it’s about support, helping them make the change if they’re struggling to pick up the cue from your body alone.

Step 4: Maintaining Focus with Obstacles

As your horse moves through the figure-eight, the cones act as a helpful focus point. Horses are naturally drawn to obstacles and markers, so by using the cones in this way, you’re giving them something concrete to pay attention to. This helps keep them focused and engaged in the exercise. It also provides a bit of structure, making it easier for both of you to stay on track.

By incorporating obstacles, you’re teaching your horse to stay attentive and ready to change direction as needed, and you’re reinforcing the idea that they can trust you to guide them through the movements.

Step 5: Practicing and Building Confidence

Like with any new skill, repetition is key. The more you practice this exercise, the more natural it will feel for both you and your horse. Start at the walk, focusing on your own body position and making sure your horse is following your lead. As they start to understand the pattern, you can gradually increase to a trot, building their confidence and responsiveness.

Remember, this is all about clear communication. If at any point your horse feels uncertain or distracted, take a step back and reset. Make sure you’re both in the right frame of mind before continuing. The more relaxed and confident you both are, the easier the communication will become.

Wrapping Up

The figure-eight with cones is a fantastic way to teach your horse to change direction smoothly, all while improving focus and connection. By using your body language and communication stick, setting clear markers with cones, you’ll build a solid foundation for both you and your horse and strengthen your relationship, improve your communication, and enhance your horse’s responsiveness.

So next time you’re out in the arena, give this exercise a try. Take your time, stay patient, and watch as both you and your horse grow in understanding and trust.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 0

WICKS Equine

Conformation – What John Looks for in a Performance Horse

Let’s talk about conformation. It’s one of those things that gets mentioned often, but what does it really mean when we’re looking at a horse for performance work? I’m here to share some thoughts on what I look for in a horse’s conformation, especially when thinking about a performance prospect. Now, this advice doesn’t just apply to reining; it crosses over into other disciplines too, because any horse that will be doing physical work needs to have the right structure to make it easier for them to perform.

We all know that performance riding, no matter the discipline, is demanding work for the horse. So, if you start with a horse that’s well put together, it makes life a whole lot easier, for both you and the horse. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” horse. Every horse has their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s up to us to weigh those up, especially if you’re looking to compete at any level. Even if you’re planning to compete at a more casual level, a horse that’s not well-conformed can make training a whole lot harder. The physical limitations can be a real hurdle, even if you’re just working on basics.

Keep in mind a horse with better conformation is going to have an easier time learning and performing their job. It’s just the way it works. But conformation is not everything. I’ve seen horses with some flaws in their conformation, but they made up for it in heart, trainability, and a strong work ethic. That’s the kind of thing that can make a horse great, even if they’re not perfectly built. Though how the horse is put together for the kind of work you want them to do is important. If you’re new to this it can help to have someone experienced with you when you go looking, or at least get a bunch of photos from different angles and show them to someone who knows what they’re talking about. So don’t just focus on conformation alone, but it sure helps.

When you’re looking at buying a young horse that hasn’t been started yet, you don’t have a lot to go on other than a few key things. The first is breeding. I know we all want to think that the best-bred horses are automatically going to be the best performers, but that’s not always the case. You can have a horse with top breeding that just doesn’t have the desire to work. On the flip side, you might find a horse that’s not as highly bred, but they turn out to be a fantastic performance horse. So, while breeding helps, it doesn’t guarantee anything.

Now, as you improve your groundwork skills, you’ll be able to work with a young horse on the ground for 30 minutes to an hour, and you’ll start to learn a lot about their temperament and personality. This will also give you a sense of their trainability and how they move over the ground. Groundwork is a real eye-opener, and the more you practice, the better you get at reading a horse’s energy. The more time you spend with a horse, the more you’ll pick up on their individual quirks and characteristics. Plus, as you develop a better understanding of different types of horses you’ll be able to make more informed decisions about which horse will work best for you and your goals.

Here’s a quick tip: buying a horse is an emotional decision, and I get that. But you really need to learn to take the emotion out of it when you’re making the final call. Trust your gut, sure, but also make sure you’re making an educated, informed decision. This horse is going to be a part of your life long term, so it’s important to know they’re going to fit your needs.

And don’t forget to talk with your vet. A good vet check is a smart move before you make any decisions.

I hope this gives you some insight into what to look for when you’re buying a young horse, whether for performance or just for a great future partner. If you keep these points in mind, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of what will work for you and your goals.

Take your time, ask questions, and remember that conformation and breeding is just one piece of the puzzle.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 1

WICKS Equine

Follow My Focus – A Simple Tip That Makes a Big Difference

I wanted to share a simple little tip that can make a surprisingly big difference in how your horse steers—and it all comes down to where you put your focus.

So often, I see riders getting really busy with their hands and legs, trying to micromanage every step. But the truth is, your body and focus does a lot of the steering if you let it. Where you look, how you sit, where your chest is pointed—it all speaks to your horse, whether you realise it or not.

This is something I come back to all the time. It helps your horse tune in to you, rather than you feeling like you have to steer every single step with the reins.

Start at the walk and pick something to ride toward. It can be anything—a fence post, a tree, a cone, a patch of dirt. Doesn’t matter what it is, just make sure it’s clear and you ride toward it like you mean it. Eyes up and go with purpose.

Now, if your horse is used to you doing all the steering for them, they might not pick up on it straight away. That’s okay. Keep going. Horses are more aware than we give them credit for, and once they start to notice that your focus actually means something, they’ll begin to follow it.

Of course, you still want a bit of balance between your legs and reins. If your horse drifts off line, just gently guide them back but over steer them in the opposite direction using your outside aids—outside rein and leg. Think about pushing the turn rather than pulling it. Try not to collapse in or rely on the inside rein to drag them around. You’re not holding them up, you’re just showing them how to stay straight and carry themselves.

It’s not something that magically changes overnight, but this exercise does create a softer, more in-sync feeling over time. And it starts with something as simple as looking where you want to go and trusting that your horse is willing to tune in. Then only correcting them when they drift off your line.

So next time you hop on, try it. Pick your spot, ride with focus, and let your horse start to follow your focus.

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4 months ago | [YT] | 0