Congratulations to Rod Miller! Rod will receive a German Martingale from AD Tack for his winning response!
Al’s Response:
I would suggest that this rider goes back to the basics. Teach the horse the word “whoa” from both the walk and the trot before moving to the lope. The horse should give properly to the bit and stay round and collected while galloping to the stop. This allows you to be in a good position, timing the stop on the down stride of the front feet. Then, make sure the horse is on a straight line before asking for the stop. When you do ask for the stop, use this order of commands:
Sit down, melting into the saddle, or “quit riding”, as I like to say. Which is simply lowering your center of gravity, being still, releasing your legs with your heels down.
Say the word “whoa”.
Pick up the reins and pull only as much as needed. The pull should be an offset pull lifting your hand and stopping off the other or alternating hands in the pull, rocking the bit across the horses mouth. Remember, it is a pull, never a jerk.
I like to train my horses to be lighter and more responsive in the mouth and to my leg cues by going forward, sitting down, and saying whoa and then backing or turning around in circles, teaching the horse to respond properly. Always think soft and supple, slow, and when in doubt focus on repetition of the basics.
Rod can claim his prize by visiting www.teamadinternational.com and responding to the email address on the contact page.
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