When teaching a horse the commands associated with steering, it's important to note that the primary method of steering will be direct rein. Learn about using soft and gentle movements to get a horse to stop with help from an equestrian riding instructor in this video on horse commands.
Hello, my name is Chelsey Sawtell, primary riding instructor at Black Friar Farm in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. Today, we are going to be discussing the first commands, steering, whoa and go. In this lesson the primary method of steering will be direct reign. In a direct reign, the reigns in both the left and right hands of the rider. To turn right, the rider will apply gentle pressure to the right reign tipping the horse's nose to the right. Left, the rider will gently apply pressure to the left reign tipping the horse's nose to the left. In more advanced commands, legs will come in to play when steering but for this basic beginner lesson, steering will be right reign, turn right, left reign turn left and pressure to both reigns is a halt. Once you are mounted on your horse, pick up even pressure in your left and right reigns. Apply gentle pressure with the insides of your lower calf and ask the horse to move forward. If the horse is moving too quickly, gentle pressure to both reigns will slow their pace. When you are ready to turn right, apply pressure to the right reign and squeeze with your legs. This will gently tip the horse's nose to the right allowing it to move forward. Remember pulling back is a halt so if you are pulling back with both reigns and squeezing with your legs at the same time, you are basically applying the gas with a parking brake on. All movements should be soft and gentle at first only increasing in pressure if the horse resists your commands. Remember, you ask, tell and then make. If you go off demanding from your horse from the very beginning, you can get a very tense resistant ride. Keeping your hands quiet and in a low position are always in good taste and kicking a horse physically with your heels is always in poor taste. In addition to a leg command to move forward, a cluck or a kiss is often motivation to help the horse move forward. In addition a hoo or easy can relax a horse and have them slow. Now that you have the basic idea of forward, right, left and whoa, enjoy your ride.
Specialty: Young Stock and Horsemanship
