Trail Prep and One Year Longline in Hand – Part 2
The importance of proper leadership skills cannot be overstated for the one year trail. As the entries in this new class continue to increase, the patterns will continue to get more complex. To be really ready and really competitive for the bigger shows in the fall, like the APHA Fall World Championships, I would really like my colt to lead as well as a well started horse.
My method* assumes that your one-year-old is already proficient in the areas described for weaners in the Kasino Series. The foal should yield easily to the pressure of the halter…moving forward immediately if he is leading or lowering his head if he is standing still. For really good leadership skills, just take these exercises to the next step.
Some people prefer horses to be “attached” to their shoulders, but I like my horse to follow my hand. At first, I can use big exaggerated movements, as well as verbal cues, to make it very obvious what I’m asking for. I can start a lesson by simply asking the yearling to go away. My hands, which start in a standard theatrical position in front of me, can act as a first signal. I take my right hand and push it forward for about half a second before walking away. If the yearling does not keep up, the slack will be removed from the lead. As you get up to speed (as you should, since you already know how to give in to pressure), the slack will return.
I start jogging the same way, although I will have a different verbal cue for jogging than for walking. It doesn’t matter what the verbal cues are, as long as you’re consistent. Since my goal here is to show in the In Hand Trail class, I choose signs that I can do without a lot of lip or face movement on my part. This way I can perform my pattern in the show ring without drawing undue attention to my verbal cues. It is important to remember to maintain constant pressure while the foal is not trotting, but to let the slack return when he trots.
After learning these two basic exercises, I just lead my foal. How hard is that? The easiest exercise on the planet, right? When leading, be sure to maintain proper form and remember to use your hand to guide you and your horse. It’s okay to overdo this at first for the benefits of both. I do circles in both directions, speed changes, long straight lines, transitions up and down and up from jogging to walking and jogging. (This helps YOUR fitness, too, by the way!) Whenever your one-year-old is falling behind, your hand should encourage him to catch up.
Mixed with the leader, obviously, there must be some stop. Your one-year-old might be able to jog for ten minutes straight, but can you!? When I’m ready to stop, I say “whoa” one step before I mean it (your colt isn’t telepathic, give him a chance to listen to you!), move my hand back, and stop moving. Remember the snap motion that retrieves babies? This is a good time to do that for just a step or two to reinforce the lack of forward movement. And then I usually rest for a few seconds (see photo, right). If I’m having a moment out of shape, this allows me to catch my breath. It gives the foal a chance to sit still (also an important lesson) and learn to wait for you for the next instruction.
Mix the main exercises with the initial groundwork from Yearling In Hand Trail #1. If possible, a few 10 minute lessons per day 4-5 times works best for one year olds. But whatever works for your schedule, do your best to keep it short and positive. Yearlings learn best in short periods. Don’t worry about how long it takes for your one-year-old to get “good” at these exercises. They are exercises that are never “done” and simply lay the groundwork for years to come. Being a light, responsive colt for In Hand Trail fall patterns is really just a short-term goal. Keep working and see small amounts of improvement so everyone, equine and human, stays happy and healthy.
*Keep in mind that I have had the opportunity to observe many people over the last 25 years of my career as a horse, and my methods outlined here are a compilation of things I have learned from multiple outside sources and my own personal experience with my foals. .