During my first lesson on my first horse, my trainer suggested that I never dismount at the arena gate at the end of a ride. The trainer warned that my horse would be sucked in by the gravity of the gate if she knew that is where she wouldn't have to work anymore. Her mind would be on the gate during the ride, and I would have difficulty keeping her away from it. That made a lot of sense to me, and it's a practice I've followed ever since, though with my own twist.
After a long trail ride, the last thing I want to do is dismount somewhere other than the ranch gate and have to walk Lyle the rest of the way home. So I've made sure that he understands the gate does not signify rest, relaxation, the end of a ride and a cold beer. In his mind, the gate means that place I have to back up 50 yards to get to.
No matter if we ride off the ranch or in the arena, I put him in reverse for at least the last 50 yards. This may not be the cure for every horse who jigs his way home or wants to end a schooling session before the bell rings, but it sure does work for Lyle. As we make the final turn down our road, he slows down and I can just hear him saying, "Crap...do we have to go to the gate?"
Nipping gate gravity in the bud with this "reverse" psychology has additional benefits. Lyle has developed a soft, collected backup, and he's also developing a pretty nice butt.
He's getting mighty tired of people talking about the other cute asses around here and wants to have one, too.
That's a great training idea. I've always admired Lyle's great butt, now I know how he got it.
ReplyDeleteThats a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWhen we get back home from a ride, there is usually 8 kids hanging around waiting for a ride. So, instead of thinking that home means rest and relaxation, home means carting around kids for half an hour. Works the same.
Doesn't help with the nice butt part though,(and Lyle has a beautiful one!)
LOL - I love Lyle's butt! Glad he gets it profiled front and center. Next thing you know, George and Alan will be backing up to that gate wanting their OWN post!
ReplyDeleteHey,I might start backing up at the end of my walks (without my horse!)... worked for Lyle :)
ReplyDeleteYour idea and Heather's idea are both great! Going to have to try that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I lurrrve all your photos. Beeeautiful.
lol...the windblown hair from his tail just makes his, um, ass look especially photogenic.
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent strategy.
Makes mental note to walk backwards more often...
ReplyDeleteGreat back up tip!!! My daughter has been riding so much that they don't care where she stops, as long as she stops.
ReplyDeleteLove Lyle's ass too!
Beautiful horse, although I believe Lyle would prefer to be called 'handsome'. My mailbox is quite a ways from my house and I'm thinking of walking backwards from it each day ... hey, if it works for Lyle!
ReplyDeleteVery shapley indeed! I bet he could do triple slachows with those glutes!
ReplyDeleteLyle has a great butt! I like horses with big butts!
ReplyDeleteI also don't stop my horse at the arena gate, ever! I actually will stop them somewhere different every time. I haven't tried the backing up thing though. Might have to try it!
Now that is a great idea! Teaching the horse who is the driver and who is the drive-ee. I always got off my horse in different parts of the arena and lots of times, got right back on. Oh crap she/he would say, NOT the end of the ride.
ReplyDeleteI used to have to not stop on the rail either. My boarding barn had cats, so many they only had numbers as names.....and "5" was always waiting to go for a ride if you stopped on the rail.
I miss the sky.........
What a great idea! My mare Rowie used to jog something shocking when I first bought her, and I was dying for suggestions on how to help...no matter how little it would. I can't tell you exactly what broke her out of it in the end, a combination a things. But this is a great idea, our poor horses, if only they knew!! ;D
ReplyDeleteThat last line really made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about horses, but I can say this much: he's a good-looking one!
Maybe I should try this going home from work on Friday....
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like something Buck Brannaman would do! ;) Great idea, thanks for sharing the reminder. I love the blue, blue sky! Very jealous!
ReplyDeleteIf it works do not worry about it! It is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteHis back end is very nice!
I love the pictures... great idea , they really have to work harder in back up mode..
ReplyDeleteJan :)