Step Four - Discover Horsemanship Philosophy & Methodology in the Round pen

Round Pen - Turn Inside

Step Four - Teach Your Horse to Turn Inside from the Left and Right Direction

Goals:

• Human learns body language methodology

• Human learns body language of the horse

• Horse learns human body language

• Horse learns to change direction from the left & right sides by facing the human

• Horse learns how to use both sides of the brain (left & right) by facing the human

• Horse learns how to use left & right brain together - improving coordination

• Horse learns to control emotions in different speeds

• Preparation for the horse to join up to human

Problems Solved:

• Horse will not come to you in the paddock or stall

• Horse will not stand still

• Horse does not travel in correct lead

• Horse that does not want to join up to human

Before we move on to the next steps in our training process, let's take a moment to seriously consider what we truly want to achieve with our horse and what specific goals we hope to accomplish together. It is important to be clear and focused at this stage. Please do not attempt this critical step if you haven't completed the earlier, foundational ones. Skipping ahead may lead to confusion and make it difficult for your horse to fully understand your cues and intentions.

In this fourth step, we aim to achieve our goals by guiding the horse to turn inside the round pen. This requires the horse to turn its head toward you, creating a clear line of communication. It's also crucial that the horse feels confident to move forward without discomfort or stress.

It is also our primary goal to continue to build and develop a strong foundation of trust between each other. You will discover that approximately 80% of horses tend to turn away from you, while only 20% will turn inward, and even then, those horses are likely to remain nervous and unsettled. That is why we prioritize teaching our horses to move forward first, followed by the important step of stopping and facing us in step three. By doing so, we are effectively preparing our recipe for success by making it easier for the horse to understand our cues and intentions. This essential step will eventually lead to teaching our horse to come into our personal space when we invite them to join us, but we are not ready to do that just yet. We first need to complete our confidence-building steps to ensure we can safely touch and be around our horse in a manner that fosters trust and connection.

Start by asking your horse to move confidently in your chosen direction with clear intent. Next, guide the horse by crossing his shoulders, then step back to invite him to turn toward you. This inside turn helps him change direction using our body language for better communication. After the turn, let the horse relax by walking a few gentle circles in the round pen. Once he appears calm and focused, ask him to change direction again, requesting another inside turn when he is ready and engaged.

Don’t be in a rush; take your time and eventually, your horse will begin to understand what you want from him. Patience is key in this process. If you find that when you ask your horse to turn inside, he mistakenly turns outside instead, immediately ask him to move forward in the same direction that he was traveling before making that error. After he has moved forward, ask him once again to turn inside, reinforcing the correct action you wish for him to learn. Consistency and clear communication are essential for his understanding.

You may need to spend a couple of days patiently working with your horse before he fully understands what you are asking from him, so take your time and be observant of his reactions and needs. There are truly no strict rules or rigid guidelines when it comes to working with your horse, as each animal is unique and deserves individual attention. Our goal is to build a strong and healthy relationship from the very beginning of your training journey. If you are inclined to rush through the process, your horse may become nervous and anxious, making it very challenging for you to earn and foster this important trust with him.

This essential step plays a significant role in preventing numerous behavioral problems with your horse. For instance, it addresses issues such as a horse that refuses to come to you in the stall, as well as situations where the horse might run away from you in the paddock, making it challenging to catch them. It also assists in managing horses that will not stand still for saddling or grooming, or those that frequently change direction on the lunge line unexpectedly. Furthermore, this crucial training step helps mitigate issues related to pulling back, supports the development of a confident and calm horse, and can effectively resolve many other potentially problematic situations that may arise.

To complete step three, we need to combine step one, which teaches your horse to go forward, with step three, which focuses on stopping and facing you. When you combine these steps, you achieve step four: going forward, turning inside, and changing direction while moving forward.

Remember to take your time, be patient, and truly try to understand these essential steps, and you will undoubtedly see a remarkable improvement in your overall communication with your horses.

All of my steps and lessons are also available for your viewing pleasure, as it can be incredibly beneficial for a visual approach to learning. I invite you to join me at this exciting opportunity to enhance your understanding and skills in horsemanship. Russ Krachun Performance Horsemanship | Equine Educational Program with Videos and Articles | Patreon