How to teach side pass?

[laura jeanne]

Here is the "gate" that must be opened and closed after the horse goes through. I know how to do it but I need to get my horse to side pass.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/applevalley/ropegate.jpg

My RI and I worked on side passing in the arena yesterday but I would like to know how to work on side pass from the ground. I'm thinking I saw this in a Parelli clinic but can't remember how to do it. Would it help to work with side passing along a ground pole?


We have a "trail" practice court being set up in this field. My horsie did pretty well with most of the obstacles that are up so far. Even got him to back through the L-shaped ground poles! I think I have more pics on my camera phone which I will put up soon.

Here's one. Three barrels with a gate on either side. He went through this fine at walk and also at trot.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/applevalley/passthrubarrels.jpg

Thx!!

[Grace O'Malley]

I can't help, but if you find out, I'd also like to know! I can move her hips over on the ground, but shoulders only with difficulty (she'll get it while we practice the exercise, but by the next session, it's like she's never seen it before :rolleyes:). But, we've been working on opening the gate into the arena (then going through and closing it), and as part of that sequence, she will sidepass over for me :confused: It's like suddenly she sees the point of going sideways, whereas if I just ask, she can't be bothered :rolleyes:

[Keket]

Can you yield the hind and the front on the ground? I'm not an NH follower, but I do know that you need to be able to move each half separately before you try to move them simultaneously.

Find a fence. Aim the horse's butt towards the fence to prevent any backwards movement. I found it helpful to hold the lead rope in one hand so I have control over forward movement. The other hand presses to where my spur would fall if I was mounted, so mid-barrel. Fingers work better then flat hands, but do what works for your horse. A verbal cue works too if you have it (I cluck my tongue). A crop can be helpful to use as a light tap (litterally a very light tap just enough to tell the horse which part you want to move) to ask the hind end to move over if the horse starts to trail them.

And of course, the golden rule: reward every try! ;)

[wundahoss]

This is the way I teach it, which I believe is pretty much as Parelli does...

Make sure your horse is really good & soft at yielding his front end & hq separately first. I find that it often seems easier for a horse to 'get it' at a bit of a distance first, so you might want to get him good and soft at yielding fore & hind away from a whip/stick/rope too. Then you can start out with this cue a couple of feet away instead of using fingertips.

Set it up with a fence in front or behind the horse, depending on whether he's more inclined to go forward or back. Fence in front is more usual.This just blocks that option, making it easier for the horse to get it right. Do whatever it takes to set them up for success & make the right things easy, whatever you teach. Do it without a fence when he's good at it with one.

Use your finger tips at his shoulder & flank. Focus out over his back to where you want him to go and starting soft, put some pressure on, alternating the fore & hind gradually quicker until he's going somewhat sideways.

The first amount of responses will likely be anything but good ones, but release the pressure instantly and reinforce whatever you get. With repetition and success, you can gradually refine it, bringing your hands closer until you are using the one hand on his side where your foot would be when riding. I also find it's better to keep a loose lead as much as possible & rather than trying to hold his head back if he's too forward. Ask him to yield his hq more instead.

Once he's reliably going softly sideways on cue, then it shouldn't take much to get him to understand the same cue from aboard. Start again with a fence to help, persist gently regardless of what other 'wrong' responses might be offered & drop all pressure the instant you get a 'try' in the direction of your goal. Again, refine what you reinforce gradually, with repetition and success.