| I am sure we have all had the experience of a | | | | install an operating system in your horse you require a |
| computer that has crashed or even smoked and failed | | | | basic understanding of the use of reins, their effect |
| to work at the most inconvenient time. Unfortunately | | | | upon the snaffle bit and how they guide your horse. |
| this is a fact of life with computers and machinery, | | | | Take for example the ‘direct rein' (leading rein), as |
| sometimes the just fail to work. Theses experiences | | | | the name implies it is directly connected to the horse |
| with computer are usually followed by the dreaded | | | | and is used to teach lateral flexion. During the initial |
| thought of what happened to my work or data, | | | | stages of teaching your horse to flex you take the |
| ‘Did I back it up?. | | | | ‘direct rein' mid way between the horse's eye and |
| Sometimes there is a need to replace all the software. | | | | your hip. This allows the horse t see the rein. Within a |
| Imagine if that happened for your horse. Just as | | | | short period of time your horse will see your hand |
| software is the brains and operating system for your | | | | coming and will know what to do, this is called |
| computer, basic ground work and halter training are the | | | | pre-cueing or pre-teaching. However, be careful not to |
| operating software for your horse. Without the basic | | | | allow your horse to anticipate the movement required. |
| operating system your horse will lock up just like a | | | | You can use similar techniques when teaching your |
| computer. | | | | horse other rein effects especially the ‘indirect rein' |
| So in order to install your horse's operating system you | | | | or neck rein. |
| need to imagine your horse divided into four parts; | | | | As with teaching leg cues, the key to teaching rein |
| head and neck, shoulders, barrel (ribs) and the | | | | cues is consistency, always use the cues in a |
| hindquarters. Now the installation of the operating | | | | consistent manner so as not to confuse the horse. |
| system is all about communicating with your horse as | | | | When teaching leg aids, you begin at the walk on a 5 |
| to how you want him to move each of these parts. | | | | meter circle and use your inside leg touches and |
| We often communicate with ourselves | | | | releases to propel the horse forward and provide and |
| sub-consciously, by moving various fingers or limbs | | | | aid to turn around, the outside leg is off the horse. You |
| from time to time. This is because our operating | | | | gauge the correct bend by seeing your horse's inside |
| system has been installed, tested and refined over a | | | | eye. Once the walk is good you can move onto the |
| period of time through consistent repetition. In order to | | | | trot, lope and canter. |