Between gaits
When I am lunging a horse either before riding or if I am simply doing groundwork with them, I like to see if they can control their speed with either voice cues or body language and more times than not, they can and do respond. However, when riding I find that some horses struggle with transitioning from an extended trot down to a working trot and down to a walk. In the past, I have observed trainers and riders try and accomplish downward transitions by telling the horse to slow down but most of them never ask the horse.
Some horses have extensive training and can easily execute downward transitions, but sometimes the horses that have been sitting for a little while forget how and what the cues mean. Some of the horses I work with have this particular issue and it is my job to help them remember and potentially teach them the cue for downward transitions.
My first step when working on downward transitions is letting the horse find their stride. If a horse can’t find their stride, they have less balance and in return, you aren’t balanced either. Allow your horse to find its balance while you get into a rhythm. Once you have accomplished this, you can start to ask for them to slow down or collect themselves. I ask first with my seat. I slow my entire body down in hopes that they respond. Most horses do and those who don’t are then asked to slow down with soft hands.
I use the word “ask” because that is exaclty what I do. Telling a horse what to do under saddle when training is useful when the horse is first learning. I do not find that “telling” a horse what to do accomplishes anything when they may have simply forgotten something or are not used to the cue. Most horses only know the basics of stopping and speeding up. It may take time but I would rather have a horse learn that I have respect for them and their power than just demanding things of them. I always want a horse to trust me and if they are constantly told what to do, the relationship between rider/trainer and the horse becomes a dominant relationship which is something that I do not believe in. My goal with any horse that I own or work with is to have a partnership, they trust me and I trust them.
Some horses need a leader or a firm hand however, that does not mean that they need you demanding and telling them to do things if they are simply confused. Get to know your horse and try asking them 3 times before taking a step further into telling them. You might have better results.
You may not agree with this method and that is perfectly fine, there is more than one way to train and work with horses. This is just how I prefer to work with horses.
