Training Tip: Tack Your Horse Up Without Moving Your Feet Challenge

Whoever moves first loses. That’s the number-one rule in horsemanship. Whichever horse in a herd can make all the other horses move their feet is in control. The same goes for you and your horse. The better able you are to control your horse’s feet, the more respect he’ll have for you and the better leader you are.

This challenge tests to see how much control you actually have of your horse’s feet. You might be surprised what you discover! Work in an open area so that your horse can easily move around you. Place a hula hoop on the ground, or draw a circle in the dirt. Position your brushes and tack nearby so that you can easily reach them while you’re standing in the hula hoop without moving your feet.

Stand in the hula hoop and then groom your horse. You should be able to move him forwards and backwards in order to reach his entire body without having to move your feet. Then, when it’s time, you should be able to get him to switch sides—all while keeping your feet still. The Intermediate exercise Changing Sides, where you teach the horse to change sides off the slightest amount of pressure, is key to doing this smoothly.

After grooming the horse, you should be able to saddle him and, finally, put the bridle on him—all without having to move your feet. More than likely, you and your horse won’t ace this test straight off. So make your goal more manageable. Instead of not moving your feet at all, see if you can stay inside the hula hoop. Once you accomplish that goal, then try not moving your feet at all.

Get the steps to teach your horse the exercise Changing Sides in the Intermediate Series.