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The 360-degree pivot on the hind end is the start of what will eventually be your spin, so a correct foundation is extremely important. All major problems in the maneuver, now and later, result from lack of shoulder control. With Essential 3 (the counter-arc circle)...

Common problems in getting your horse to move off your leg, and how to fix them. • Unevenness which means one end is getting ahead of the other along the fence or diagonally across the arena. Moderate your cues for the end that moves too fast. It's usually the front...

In the last article we worked on teaching our horse to move away from pressure while he was tied at the hitch or wash rack, and while leading from the ground.   Now, let’s mount up and see if we’ve laid a good enough foundation. Opening a gate. Now mount up and see if...

Getting your horse to move off your leg (or move laterally) is key to getting control of his whole body. Lateral control of the hind end and shoulders helps you in simple things, like opening and closing gates or backing in a straight line. It also makes possible more...

Teaching a horse to stop brings out all kinds of problems, not because the horse wants to be bad, usually it’s our lack of timing, and balancing on the reins that causes their resistance. Troubleshooting. Common problems in basic stopping, and how to fix them:   • Not...

Your horse’s willingness to stop when you say “whoa” is essential for control and basic training. It also provides the foundation for one of reining’s most thrilling maneuvers, the sliding stop. But first, we’ll have to be satisfied by an attempt from our horse, at...

When I introduced backing, we reviewed how to start a green colt backing from the ground (or an older spoiled horse who needs a “life review”).  Today, let’s go over how to advance your horse in backing. While mounted. From his back, use the same rein action you used...

Backing up is important because it’s not only a maneuver in itself but also the correction for a poor stop.  At this point, however, backing doesn’t mean the same as it will later on (when we’ll want it super-straight, very fast, and in response to few visible cues)....

In this article on reining, I’ll be addressing troubleshooting problems with Reining Essential 3, the counter arc circle and how to deal with them. Troubleshooting the counter arc circle: Your horse’s response will be affected by his natural asymmetry (his stiff and...

I’m going to continue with what I consider to be reining essentials. In this article, I’ll cover #3 - Walking a counter arc circle. For this exercise, your horse will move in a circle, but with his nose tipped to the outside. His front legs, meanwhile, will be...