Post by Casper on Feb 19, 2007 16:32:25 GMT -5
#4 The Yo-Yo Game
This game is about learning to send your horse backwards and forwards on a straight line. It may not start out straight, but that is what you're striving for. Some horses come to you easily but will act like they could no sooner back up than fly. Others will back up in a hurry, but you will have to drag them back to you. Consider the back up a Yo and coming back to you a Yo. The Yo-Yo Game gets them in balance.
To play The Yo-Yo Game, wiggle your rope to cause your horse to go backwards. Start soft, then build the wiggle until the whole halter is shaking and the horse gets uncomfortable enough to move his feet. If your horse even tries to step backward to find relief, shut down the wiggle immediately and let him know he did the right thing.
Start soft again, build until he takes a step back then quit. Repeat until he understands what you are asking for. Ask for just a step or two, then two or more, until you can get him all the way to the end of your rope.
Now, invite him back in. Comb the rope with loose hands, rhythmically. Gradually grip a little firmer until your horse steps forward. As soon as he does, open your hands and start over softly with loose hands. Keep going backwards and forwards, until it only takes a little wiggle to get him to move backwards and not much more than a smile with loose hands to get him to come back to you.
This game is about learning to send your horse backwards and forwards on a straight line. It may not start out straight, but that is what you're striving for. Some horses come to you easily but will act like they could no sooner back up than fly. Others will back up in a hurry, but you will have to drag them back to you. Consider the back up a Yo and coming back to you a Yo. The Yo-Yo Game gets them in balance.
To play The Yo-Yo Game, wiggle your rope to cause your horse to go backwards. Start soft, then build the wiggle until the whole halter is shaking and the horse gets uncomfortable enough to move his feet. If your horse even tries to step backward to find relief, shut down the wiggle immediately and let him know he did the right thing.
Start soft again, build until he takes a step back then quit. Repeat until he understands what you are asking for. Ask for just a step or two, then two or more, until you can get him all the way to the end of your rope.
Now, invite him back in. Comb the rope with loose hands, rhythmically. Gradually grip a little firmer until your horse steps forward. As soon as he does, open your hands and start over softly with loose hands. Keep going backwards and forwards, until it only takes a little wiggle to get him to move backwards and not much more than a smile with loose hands to get him to come back to you.