A horse must learn to yield to a rider’s leg because it adds refinement to the communication between horse and rider. However, I believe it is best taught by first teaching a horse to follow the feel of the reins. Once the horse is clear and soft to the reins, it is then time to add direction with the rider’s legs.
WILD HORSES OR FERAL HORSES
WHERE IS THE LINE?
WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT PRESSURE
16 WELL KNOWN BELIEFS
SOME THOUGHTS ON TOUCHING A HORSE
I keep coming across articles and videos that promote the idea that touching a horse (patting, rubbing, stroking, or whatever you want to call it is an important part of the training process. I’ve seen it several times lately. The premise seems to be that horses like to be touched by people and find it comforting. Therefore, touching a horse is said to be a powerful way of rewarding a horse for doing well or comforting a worried horse.