2.

Every horse should be able to turn right and left smoothly and equally, to the degree that fits whatever you’re going to do. If you’re trail riding, he doesn’t need to spin fast. But he needs to turn smoothly and not fumble around or toss his head. If he’s going to be a reiner or cow horse, he’s got to have a foot pattern and the correct step in the turn.

I always teach that horses should work like a three-wheel cart. There’s one loose wheel on one end and two fixed wheels on the back. The front turns and the back stands still. After you have your horse going forward and walking circles, you have to teach him to hold his hips still as his front turns.

Make It Happen:

I teach a one, two, three method to turning. One: Sit still, reach down the inside rein, take the slack out and start the bend of the head. Two: Take the outside rein onto the neck and move the shoulder in the direction of the nose. Three: Use your outside leg and cluck to encourage that motion.