Sidepassing Toward Me?!

Welcome to your next issue of "Horse Class," your how-to source for equine tips, tricks and solid foundational training brought to you by horsemanship101.com and John Lyons Certified Trainer Keith Hosman. Have you ever wondered how the big-name trainers teach their horses to sidepass towards them on the ground? Wouldn't you love to do that? And does your horse move away from you as you try to mount up? This issue's featured article "Teach a Horse to Sidepass Toward You on the Ground" gives you a cue to keep your horse in position when you go to hop on board - plus we learn step-by-step how to do that cool trick where your horse actually sidesteps toward you as you back away! You'll find the article sampled below. To read it in its entirety, simply follow the link provided or visit Horsemanship101.com/Articles. - - - Horsemanship101.com is loaded with no-cost training advice, pro directories, famous-trainer event calendars and more! - Horse-Training Articles (Riding, Leading, etc.) - Listings of Nearby Trainers (with Maps) - Local Stables, Tack Shops, Vets & Pet Stores! - - - If you have a horse-training issue, this is how I'd start: Go to Horsemanship101.com/Topics to find solutions to over 270 horse-training situations (like "bucking," "biting," "jigging" and more). Find your topic and jump to relevant articles, videos, etc. Better yet, use the dropdown menus found on the top right of most pages - you'll jump right there! - - - Jump directly to the full article: "Teach a Horse to Sidepass Toward You on the Ground"

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Sidepassing on the Ground

Does your horse move away as you try to mount up? The following exercise will give you the cues and control you need to ask your horse to move back into position. Have you seen Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson or other famous horse trainers back away from their horses (on the ground) - while their horses continue to sidestep toward them? It looks pretty cool, doesn't it? It looks impressive, like something that took years of training and maybe a little black magic. Funny thing is, this trick with such a high "wow" factor is actually one of the easier things to teach. This, as opposed to a smooth flying lead change or a reiner's sliding stop - two examples of "tricks" which take years to perfect. With an amenable, tractable horse, you can teach the "sidepass toward you" in just a few easy sessions. Notice the two words "amenable" (willing) and "tractable" (easily managed). If your horse isn't willing and easily managed on the ground, if his shoulders can't be moved away or he can't be backed up lightly, then shelve this exercise until you've done more ground work. To look at it another way: If your horse thinks he's the boss of you, don't even try this. Find yourself a book, video or article on round penning/ground control and start there. To be blunt, you have no business attempting a more advanced maneuver if your horse is likely to bowl you over when agitated. Ignore this advice, and you'll find yourself with a real handful. This exercise involves steps that, if glossed over or improperly taught, can teach your horse to challenge you, rather than peacefully submit. If you're able to walk your horse past a group of beckoning buddies or honking cars or barking dogs without your pulse quickening, you should be ready. You'll need a dressage whip and to saddle your horse. A saddled horse? Yes, this is ground work, you won't be riding - but you'll see why the saddle in a moment. The saddling isn't 100% necessary - many trainers go without it here - but I've learned a little trick to "motivate" my horse without upping the "danger ante," so to speak..... keep reading this article