Training Tip: Horse Moves Off While Practicing One Rein Stops

Question: I have a question about One Rein Stops. I taught my gelding the exercise at the walk, and he was doing well. Now, when I release the rein, he immediately walks or trots off. I let him go a few strides and then do a One Rein Stop. Is that what I should do? The problem doesn’t seem to be getting better.

Answer: If the horse walks off after you’ve released the rein, just flex him in the other direction. Don’t allow your horse to go a few strides—shut him down immediately so that he knows walking or trotting off isn’t the answer.

Hot-blooded horses will sometimes get into the habit of trying to walk off as soon as you release the rein because all they think about is going forward. Initially give your horse the benefit of the doubt and just flex him again when he starts to walk off. If it doesn’t seem to be solving the problem, get more assertive with your correction. As soon as he takes a step, jerk hard on one rein to flex his head and then drop it. Throw your reins up his neck and dare him to walk off.

The more you try to babysit the horse and say, “Don’t go!” the more he’ll want to go. Do the opposite and let him commit to the mistake. After he’s stopped, challenge him—stand up and down in your stirrups, reach back and slap him on the butt, wave your legs, etc. Dare him to move off before you cue him to.

The horse needs to understand that it doesn’t matter what you do in the saddle. As long as you don’t squeeze with both legs, he shouldn’t walk forward. If he does take a step forward, jerk hard on one rein, flex him and then go immediately back to daring him. You’ll find that it won’t take long for the horse to figure out that it’s much more comfortable to pay attention and wait for you than to try to walk off anytime he wants.

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