tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410165245793740517.post3676783997643442930..comments2013-08-11T05:27:52.486-07:00Comments on Training Horses Naturally: Chenango rideAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06380603274321904813noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410165245793740517.post-46089090138757401812009-03-06T19:37:00.000-08:002009-03-06T19:37:00.000-08:00That is awesome. I ride a school horse whose many...That is awesome. I ride a school horse whose many and varied experiences make him immune to subtle cues. :-) He is especially reluctant to trot near the beginning of our lessons, but it always gets better as each lesson progresses. Down transitions are no problem--he likes those better. :-) But riding without a bridle is a ways off for me I think. :-) Thanks for taking time to explain!Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02538330706014094562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410165245793740517.post-52139178182251697952009-03-05T19:37:00.000-08:002009-03-05T19:37:00.000-08:00Hi there- I don't really use verbal cues with my h...Hi there- I don't really use verbal cues with my horses. When teaching a down transition bridleless, I use the same idea as an up transition - it's all in my body language. With a down transition, I basically stop riding and suck my energy back. My horses tend to feel my seat and energy change and they slow down. When they don't, a typically hard thing for my Anglo-Arab, I pick up 1 rein and ask for it that way. After some practice, even she understands that when I stop riding and bring my life down, she should to. With an up transition, it's the same idea - I bring my life up, walk, trot or canter in my body and my horse will do the same. I don't kick to go, I ask my horse to pay good attention to my subtle cues, then reinforce it with some commotion from the saddle (slap my leg, slap the saddle with a string, etc...). Eventually, even a dull horse understands life in the rider's body means it's time to move. It's amazing the harmony you can get with a horse when you get very subtle! Thanks for asking - I love questions!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06380603274321904813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4410165245793740517.post-87533714326772984602009-03-05T17:43:00.000-08:002009-03-05T17:43:00.000-08:00Tia, how do you cue down transitions without a bri...Tia, how do you cue down transitions without a bridle? Weight only? Verbal?Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02538330706014094562noreply@blogger.com