The Priefert Bale Ring is pictured here, but was it the best? Read on.. .

There are benefits to feeding round bales without a net or ring if you’re lucky enough to have a plentiful supply at little cost and you need to fill in some bare spots in big pastures. When we baled our own hay and needed to seasonally supplement grazing, we strategically placed round bales to prevent erosion on steep slopes and to cover places in the pasture that had been disturbed, leaving large bare places. Our pasture is no longer that big and we don’t bale our own.

Which Round Bale Ring is Best for Horses? reviews the styles, materials, assembly, and safety factors of a variety of hay rings on the market today.  Before the launch of Christian Horse Training, practical articles like these appeared on my other website. Future articles will originate on Amazing Grays Ministry, home of CHT. This article only addresses hay, not other feeds used in addition to roughage.

The article is just one click away, but here’s a bit more about the information it includes…

Round Hay Bale Rings – Comparing Waste, Safety, Convenience

There is a difference is the amount of waste between hay rings, and more importantly, huge safety issues. Our first ring was a very popular brand and quite pricey, but every one of our six horses had a cut on his or her chest in the same place – all the time. We changed bale rings and the wounds disappeared.

How do you determine the best diameter hay ring for your particular circumstances and why does the diameter matter?  The diameter affects the amount of waste, the potential problem of horses getting after each other around the ring, and how easy it is to use a hay net. Read the full article for more.

Ease and convenience of use is important to us since we are a rather mature couple (we’re getting old.) One ring is far EASIER to use than the others. There is also a difference in cost. Following the article are links to bale rings, hay nets, and two additional articles: (1) comparing hay nets and (2) estimating potential savings using round bales.

Good stewardship begins in the barn!

 Read Which round bale ring is best for horses?  

Beginning round pen training is done at liberty, with no halter, line, or tack on the horse. There are many ways to balance a horse, correct a canter issue, or introduce collection, etc. from the ground in a round pen.  Since you can’t build on a foundation that doesn’t exist, your first goal is to get your horse to focus on YOU and not confuse the issue with the pressure of a bit, reins, cavesson, girth, or rope.

God Sense:

God doesn’t rope or drag us to obedience; He calls us with grace and saves us by faith. The purpose of beginning round pen training is to begin building a foundation of faith so your horse may overcome his prey nature.

Unbreakable Rule #1 – Know what you want before you ask your horse to move and when he does it right QUIT asking.

Horse Sense:

I’ll share the two very simple goals of round pen work and the basic method for accomplishing them. There are only two reasons why your horse doesn’t do everything you ask; he is either unable or unwilling. This basic truth is covered in all three ministry books and in many articles. If you need a refresher on the subject, subscribe to this website by putting your email address in the box on the upper right and download the free ebook or,

Check out this article: Who’s the Leader, You or Your Horse 

Only two things matter when you begin playing with your horse in the round pen: FOCUS and FEET.

First Step in Round Pen Exercise – leave the horse alone

The first step toward gaining focus is to do NOTHING except get the horse into the round pen and pretend to ignore him. Horses I work with in clinics don’t know I exist until after I observe them in the round pen first. Your horse already knows you, so just put him in the round pen without a halter and close the gate behind you as you exit.

Unbreakable Rule #2 – If your horse isn’t calm and balanced you can’t move forward.

Let your horse nurdle around in the pen until he is calm. There are some horses that are traumatized by simply being in an unfamiliar round pen or surrounded by strange sights, sounds, or smells. Don’t put your horse in a place you think will frighten him. It’s fine if he’s a little snorty or nervous, but it is NOT good leadership to dump your horse into a trap he thinks may be life threatening.

Enter the round pen when your horse is calm and again, do nothing.  Many horses think they have to start running around frantically the minute they enter a round pen. It takes a lot of time and great patience to convince a horse he doesn’t have to run if that’s the only experience he’s ever had. I want the horse to calmly wonder, “Hmmm, wonder what she’s doing here?” Curiosity is far better than fear or aggression.

Review  Day One – How to establish leadership in the round pen with your horse 

How can I tell where the horse is focused?

Horses don’t hide comic books inside their school books or mask their emotions. Since horses don’t pretend it’s not difficult to figure out what holds your horse’s attention.

All eyes and ears on the same thing!

Where is your horse looking? Where are his ears directed? A horse’s ears are like radar – always trained in the directions of greatest interest or importance. All you have to do is follow his eyes and ears to know what has his attention. Many times your horse will have his ears turned in different directions. That’s fine as long as one is turned toward you.

Your initial goal is to get one eye and one ear interested in you. Start small. Learn to read your horse and ask for very little at the beginning. You can ask for two eyes, the horse to face you, come, or answer more precise questions later. First… you need an eye and an ear. DON’T try to keep his focus at the beginning. Your goal is simply to GET it. See Rule #1.

Once I have the horse’s focus I will ask him to move his feet. The instant the feet do as I ask I quit asking. Likewise, the moment the horse’s attention leaves me my sole priority is to get it back? How do I get it back? By asking his feet do something other than what they are doing at the precise moment I lost his attention.

When and how should I ask my horse to move his feet?

It is time to move your horse’s feet when:

1. You lose his attention
2. He gives you the “pony finger”,  or
3. If he stalls out and just looks at you as if to say, “Okay, so I’m looking at ya, whatcha gonna do now, Bigshot?”

In any of these 3 instances, direct your horse to move his feet the opposite way they were going the moment his ears left you, he gave you “attitude”, or he dared you to come up with something new.

If your horse was moving left ask him to move right. If you were bouncing a whip on the ground and he moves away keep bouncing until he stops. If he walked up to you when you told him to stay or stop, ask him to back up a step. If he backs up on his own, drive him forward. If he was standing still when you lost his attention or got “the pony finger”, send him out at a brisk trot.

Success secret:  Only ask your horse to do something when you are 98% sure he will do it. You lose a ton of leadership credibility if you ask your horse to do something and he says, “No” and you can’t fix it.

In the simplest terms, have him do the opposite of whatever he was doing when you realized he was doing wrong. Before you get to this point you must understand and be able to apply pressure where, when, and how in order to get your horse to move his feet the way you direct.

Unbreakable Rule #3 – If you aren’t making progress or your horse is escalating in anger, fear, or frustration, STOP what you’re doing and break things down to a smaller step. Repeat until you get the right response.

In early lessons you won’t push for more than one or two new responses. Know what your goal is before entering the round pen. Once you accomplish it – or fail miserably – QUIT. Your horse can recognize a failure of leadership instantly. The moment he crosses into distress from fear or anxiety he’s got your number. Quit long before that happens and think about your goal and whether the horse is unable or unwilling to do as you ask.

Unbreakable Rule #4 – Most emotions except love do not belong in training sessions.

The Holy Spirit speaks in a still small voice and so should you. You can’t yell or beat a horse into faith and you can’t work with a horse that is highly emotional. When you get frustrated, get out. If you get mad, get out. If you get overwhelmed, get out. Hopefully it is love that motivates your commitment to follow the rest of the unbreakable rules.

Recap of Beginning Round Pen Training

1. Work at liberty without any tack or halter.
2. Know exactly what you hope to accomplish before entering the round pen; be prepared to change the program if your horse isn’t responding as you hoped.
3. Always start every lesson with an unruffled horse.
4. Your only goal at this stage is FOCUS. Work to get one eye and one ear directed at you.
5. The moment you lose your horse’s focus move his feet in the opposite way they were going when he broke his attention on you.
6. Know what movement you are asking for and QUIT asking the moment you get it.
7. Don’t ask for something you aren’t 98% you can get.
8. Always give the horse the benefit of your doubt.
9. Leadership promises freedom from anger, aggression, and anxiety. If you or your horse begin to get emotional it is YOUR responsibility to return everyone back to a calm peaceful state.
10. If you don’t get the results you expect, break the lesson down into even smaller steps until you get a “Yes.”

The most difficult skill horse trainers must learn is what to ask for and when to quit, which brings us to -

Unbreakable Rule #5 – End every lesson with a horse that is happier and more confident than when you began.

You should always put your horse up or out in a better frame of mind and spirit than you found him. If you master the philosophy and application of round pen training you will be among the most elite trainers in the world and will be a worthy leader deserving of your horse’s faith.

Question? We’re here to help.

*     *     *     *     *

 More on Unable and Unwilling:

2 Reasons Why You Fail and 3 Reasons Not to Make Excuses –  http://lynnbaber.net/2012/01/2-reasons-why-you-fail-and-3-reasons-not-to-make-excuses/

An Unteachable Spirit – short post on Bible and Bit  -   http://bibleandbit.com/?p=800

FREE KINDLE BOOK OFFER

Is Rapture and Revelation a book you should read?

• Do you harbor any doubt about your faith in Christ – or His in you – that you haven’t been able to admit to anyone?
• Are you confused by conflicting messages about the End Time on TV, from Christian writers, or in your own circles?
• What practical and timely messages does the book of Revelation have for you today?
• Have you wondered why some relationships with friends and family are becoming more and more difficult to maintain?
• Do you know why there is so much infighting among “Christians”?
• Is that still small voice telling you to walk more closely with Christ, but you don’t know how?
• Have you wondered if this really is the end time and what that means to you?
• Are you concerned about the future of your children or grandchildren?
• Do you want to be sure you are not listening to the voice of a false prophet or studying false teaching, no matter how well intended?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions then click on the FREE OFFER and get your own copy of Rapture and Revelation. Remember, this free offer only lasts for two days.

3 Messages of “Rapture and Revelation:

Why do you believe?

1. This is the End Time.
2. The King is coming.
3. A decision must be made.

Be sure to have your Bible handy so you can look up the scriptures referenced throughout the book.

It isn’t my job to tell you what to believe, but I was asked to challenge you to know WHY you believe what you do. This book is not going to get an immediate Amen! from everyone. It isn’t intended to. In fact, it if were immediately popular it would simply be “more of the same.” The purpose of Rapture and Revelation is to lead Christians to question their personal definition of truth  analyze their place in the world, and to take full responsibility for the state of their relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Rapture and Revelation has not been written for the reader who wishes to have his or her ears tickled. There are plenty of Christian books and e-books catering for that, but not this one. It is a book-study offering simple truth about the times we’re living in, but it’s also a challenging book, leaving no room for the reader to express anything but “yes” or “no” for their answers and decisions. No room for fence-sitters! End times books can be confusing and controversial. Rapture and Revelation is not one of them. That’s why it should be in every Christian’s possession.” – Roger Williams

Amazing Grays Ministry mission

The only goal of our ministry is to share messages of faith that overcomes fear through Jesus Christ.  This new website format and the new editions of our books make it possible to share published messages with you at lower or NO cost. Please take advantage of this offer and share it with your friends.

For more information or to order the book in paperback, visit our MINISTRY SHOP or buy it on AMAZON.COM.

Snaffle Bit – a simple definition

A snaffle bit does not use any leverage.

That’s it.

“Cowboy” snaffle that is not a snaffle

Most people think that a snaffle bit is a bit with a broken mouth piece, like the bits in these two images. The Tom Thumb bit, commonly called a cowboy snaffle bit isn’t a snaffle at all. It has a broken mouthpiece, but that has nothing to do with whether a bit is a snaffle or not.

The ring snaffle is a snaffle. It has the same mouthpiece as the Tom Thumb, but it is not leveraged. In other words, the reins attach directly to the mouthpiece.

Ring snaffle bit

  What is a leveraged bit?

A leveraged bit attaches the reins at a point away from the mouthpiece itself. Cowboy Snaffles usually have the rein attachment anywhere from 1 1/2 inches to more than 4 inches away from the actual mouthpiece itself. Other leveraged bit have shanks longer that 7 inches! That’s a whole lot of pressure.

The beauty of a snaffle bit is that the horse feels the exact amount of pressure on the bit that you put on the rein. If you use one pound of pressure that is exactly what the horse feels – one pound of pressure. Leveraged bits also use chin straps (curbs) which place pressure on the bottom of the horse’s jaw in addition to what is felt on the lips, bars, and tongue.

Does the curb strap influence whether a snaffle is a snaffle or a leveraged but? The simple answer is, “No.” Curb straps are often used on snaffle bits as a safety precaution to prevent the bit from sliding into or through the horse’s mouth. Curb straps have no influence on how a snaffle bit works. Snug curb snaps work like a vise, catching the horse’s lower jaw between the bit and the curb.

Snaffle Bit Quiz

Which of these five bits (A-E) are snaffles? You will find the answers after the photos.

A

B

C

D

E

Snaffle Bit Quiz Answers

• Bit A – Yes, it is a snaffle. This is a full cheek snaffle with a rubber mouthpiece that makes it far less severe.
• Bit B –  Not a snaffle bit. This is a gag bit and must only be used by the most experienced trainers. It is a bit that is used to make a point then put back into the tack room.
• Bit C –  Not a snaffle bit. This is a Kimberwick, a popular bit for huntseat riders. The reins attach to the ring but do not move and add leverage to rein pressure.
• Bit D –  Yes, it is snaffle. The mouthpiece is solid, but there is no leverage to the bit action. Reins produce a 1:1 ratio of pressure.
• Bit E –  Not a snaffle bit. I call this a Butterfly bit, but many incorrectly call it a snaffle. This is my favorite bit as a first step out of a snaffle into a leveraged bit.

How many did you get correct? Hopefully all five. If you have any questions, be sure to ask.

Confusion about Snaffle Bits, Faith and Works

Many folks are confused about the difference between a snaffle bit and one that is not. There is similar confusion about the relationship of faith and works. Why are people confused? It’s kinda like the confusion about bits with broken mouthpieces… both snaffles and leveraged bits have them. The important point is about the way the bit works.

People can demonstrate works without faith, but it is impossible to have faith without the fruit of works. Like the snaffle bit, the important thing isn’t the way it looks but the way it works.

• Does a broken mouthpiece mean the bit is a snaffle? No.
• Does being charitable, kind, or generous mean the person has a right relationship with Christ? No.

You can live your whole life well without ever knowing how to tell one bit from another. But knowing the difference between faith and works is of immense importance.

Blessings.

Author Vicki Watson offers a series of novels specifically targeted to horse crazy girls and the Christian home schooling market. The Sonrise Stables series includes four titles, with more planned for the future.

It’s been four decades since I was a tween or teen, but reading the third book in the series, Clothed With Thunder, kept me turning pages until I finished in one sitting.  The fourth book, Tender Mercies, is on my shelf waiting for my next indulgent interlude.

Excellent Books for Home School Curricula

Few novels for readers of any age deliver an engaging story that moves forward without lumbering and packs quality education onto every page. Clothed With Thunder delivers on both counts. Characters, locations, and events are so well described that it is easy to “see” the action happening in your imagination  Young readers will find the predicaments and challenges Rosie and Carrie face quite familiar, and parents will appreciate the scripturally sound lessons woven into the story.

Books for horse crazy kids.

Two central themes in Clothed With Thunder  include evolution vs. creationism and finding a way to forgive past wrongs.  Why lecture your kids on forgiveness, responsibility, family values, and how to react to negative peer pressure when you can share books like this with them? The series focuses on two sisters – one adopted. (If you have an adopted child, be sure to read the first two books in the series.)

Many series disappoint readers as the number of books increase and the quality of story lines and writing diminish. In this case the reverse is true. Books in this series only get better!

Visit Sonrise Stables online for free book offer

Excellent choice for gift-giving or as a non-traditional text for home school curricula. Visit Sonrise Stables online and take advantage of a generous offer from the author. Post a review on Amazon.com and get another title free!

Or, just buy the whole series. Once your kids have devoured all four you can share them with others. By then your children will probably want to read them again.

I enthusiastically recommend these books. They contain accurate and helpful information about life with horses and right relationship with Jesus Christ.

…..   …..

“What’s gotten into you lately? You’re taking this Jesus thing way too seriously. You act like you’ve been brain-washed. We’re really getting worried about you.”

New creations in Christ do not participate in lewdness, lusts, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. [1 Peter 4:3] Dirty dancing is not the Saturday night pursuit of a New Creation. Playing gory video games where the victor splatters his foe all over the place is not a pastime for a child of God.

Life is Different For New Creations in Christ

You won’t find a New Creation holding down a bar stool at closing time at the local pub after an evening of window shopping the patrons. As you walk more closely with Jesus you will also find that only a precious few television programs are fit for eyes that look forward to the Rapture and Christ’s return.

Friends and family who do not hear the Shepherd’s voice will think you’re antisocial when you decline to go along with their floods of dissipation [1 Peter 4:4] and will speak evil about you if you do not straighten up and fly right again. What are you to do? Peter answers that question by telling us that the end of all things is at hand and we should be serious and watchful in our prayers. [1 Peter 4:7]

What is true is always true, regardless of the time and the manner in which such truth is conveyed. Careful selection of our friends and associates has always been important. Back in the day this was one of the most important lessons parents tried to teach children. It is a truth that still holds today, but fewer and fewer parents think enough of their children to teach them this lesson.

There’s a saying I first heard decades ago when I began to study leadership and corporate management. “It’s hard to soar with eagles when you fly with a bunch of turkeys.” Remember that one?

The sentiment is still true and still relevant, especially for Christians in these times. It has never been as hard to escape the flock of turkeys as it is today. It matters who you spend your time with. It matters what you watch on television. It matters what you read and it matters what you say. There must be a clear contrast between your life and that of friends and family who do not proclaim Jesus as Lord.

[This is the beginning of the sixth chapter of Rapture and Revelation.  Click link for more information.

Why do you believe?

What one reader said:

Lynn Baber’s new book, Rapture and Revelation, has not been written for the reader who wishes to have his or her ears tickled. There are plenty of Christian books and e-books catering for that, but not this one. It is a book-study offering simple truth about the times we’re living in, but it’s also a challenging book, leaving no room for the reader to express anything but “yes” or “no” for their answers and decisions. No room for fence-sitters! - Roger Williams, Australian minister, radio broadcaster and blogger

.        Also available on Amazon and the Amazing Grays Ministry store.

The Gateway of the Cross

The Cross of Jesus Christ is not a wooden object lost in antiquity, but a living active Gateway between God and each of His children.

The intersection of the earth and heaven is the Cross within us, a physical representation of the Spirit Himself. It is what makes it possible to be in the world but not of the world. When we abide in the Gateway of the Cross we remain safe, secure, and undaunted by any circumstance in the world. But abiding in the Gateway is an active pursuit, not physical rest or retirement.

The Members of the Cross of Christ

Many who came before me recognized the significance of the members of the Cross. The vertical member is the connection between God and man; the horizontal member is a conduit between each man or woman and all others.

Just as the Ten Commandments are divided between rules to relate to God and each other, the physical Cross is similarly divided.

Loving One Another – Simply

A conduit is a natural passage for conveying matter or energy, being archaically defined as a fountain. The horizontal member of the Cross of Christ is a conduit for movement of blessings to enter into you and pass through to someone else and flow out the other side, beginning this chain reaction anew.

Loving one another as commanded by Christ means allowing free passage of blessings through us and then sending them onward to another. To accept a blessing and keep it only for ourselves is to dam up the work of Christ in the world.

I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5

The proof is always in the fruit. They will know us by our love for one another, and that proof is the fruit produced when God’s blessings are shared. Unless we remain a free-flowing conduit for the bl

Share Your Bounty

essings granted us by God, we become branches that bear no fruit and will be destined for the fire. [John 15:6]

Out of the World

The Gateway of the Cross is reserved only for the family of Jesus Christ. To obey the command to love one another we must be lifted from the world – yet we remain. The Holy Spirit provides the means to rise into the Gateway, suspended at the intersection between the earth at the base of the Cross and the top where the vertical and horizontal timbers meet.

Jesus tells us in John 15:19 that He chose His disciples from out of the world.

Loving One Another

• What blessing you receive, pass on to others. This is loving one another.
• When you are forgiven of a trespass, forgive those who have trespassed against you. This is loving one another.
• What strength you receive, use it to support others. This is loving one another.

Serving as an open conduit for the work of the Spirit in the world produces abundant fruit in this world. Pass the blessings you receive on to others. The concept of tithing is based on a percentage, not some fixed amount of giving. When the amount you have coming in increases so must the amount going out.

As you are blessed, bless others. This is what the command to love one another means.

Share blessings, don’t hoard them. No matter how rich the fertilizer applied to the root of a plant, unless the internal conduit for transporting it to the leaves is open and healthy there will be no harvest, no fruit.

Love, education, and blessings are not diminished when shared, but multiplied. The more you give away the more you find you have.

Receive the blessing that flow to you through the vertical member of the Cross. Be a free-flowing conduit that conveys those blessings to others and you will abide in the Gateway of the Cross, elevated above the difficulty, decay, or depravity of any worldly circumstance.

Love one another – this is not a suggestion, but a direct command from Jesus Christ and His Father. Open wide your channels of blessings and take your seat in the Gateway of the Cross. There’s room for everyone.     .     .     .

…..   …..   …..

Read more about the Gateway of the Cross in Rapture and Revelation, published by Amazing Grays Ministry/Ark Press. Re-issued 2013

Welcome to the End TIme.

Temptation and distractions are issues common to all who pursue a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Barbara Shoeneberger, a director of Amazing Grays Ministry, presents a series about sin on her blog, Suffering with Joy.  Following this brief excerpt is a link to the full post. It is exceeding well written and shares a message relevant to every Christian.

In ascetical theology the world does not refer to grass, trees, mountains, hills, etc. as I thought in my childlike simplicity long ago. The world is the realm of Satan in time, a realm with standards radically opposed to God’s way of seeing.  It presents itself as an end in itself, whereas it can only ever be an obstacle to the eternal end God has intended for us.

Money, power, and pleasure constitute the realm of the world.  None of these things are evil in themselves, but when sought only for themselves they distract us from battle. The enticements suck us deeper and deeper into obsession until we become so entangled in their pursuit we can’t recognize the needs of our neighbor nor the presence of God in our lives, calling us to Himself.

Use this link to read the full article, Source of Temptation: The World

About Barb -

Barb and Roger

Since the late 1980s Barb has written, edited, and published monthly newsletters for select groups. She also authored two business related books. In addition to writing, Barb’s interests lie in the traditional sacred liturgy and practices of the Catholic Church and in creating beautiful art from photographs she and her husband have taken.

To read more about Barb, visit our Directors Page.

Two Reasons Horses Go Too Fast

There are only two reasons why any training exercise fails. One is unwillingness, the other a lack of ability. In this case,

1. The horse is UNABLE to respond correctly because of fear, insecurity, or a lack of balance or proper communication with the rider, or
2. The horse is UNWILLING to be obedient.

The solution in either instance is the same – leadership. You must establish yourself as the leader, and when you talk horses that means you must have control of their feet. You horse should move where, when, and how you ask him to.

Easy Exercise to Slow Your Horse

Whether you ride in an arena or pasture, begin by using the fence as a guide.  If no fence is available, begin the exercise by riding a sixty foot circle. This is big enough to work at the walk and trot. Once you have good speed control at the trot it will be a fairly simple matter to advance to the lope or canter. To work at a faster speed you need to ride a larger circle. Make sure your horse understands where the circle is before beginning your transition work.

 Transitions Are Key to Teaching Speed Control

This exercise to slow your horse down is built upon repetitive transitions from one gait to another and limiting the opportunity your horse has to lose control in the first place. It’s far easier to train a calm horse than one who is already an emotional wreck. In essence, you will teach your horse to move up one gait (walk to trot, or trot to canter) and down one gait (trot to walk, or canter to trot.)

Teaching transitions keeps your horse focused, balanced, and waiting for your next cue. The result will be a horse that is always ready to slow down or quietly prepared to gear up.

Exercise to Slow the Trot

The exercise is taught the same way regardless of which gait needs attention. Always be sure to have control at the walk before advancing to the trot, and control at the trot before moving into the canter.

Start by walking along the fence. Since you know your horse will trot too fast, decide in advance how many trot strides you will allow before asking it to return to the walk. The less control you have, the fewer steps you will allow. If your horse is a really wild character begin with baby steps.

Once your horse walks quietly and obediently ask him to trot using the slightest cue possible. After three trot strides calmly ask him to relax back down to a walk. Even though you ask for the walk after three strides you may not get it for twenty more! That’s okay. Expect your horse to resist you at first. After all, his habit is to race to the next county.

Don’t punish your horse and don’t get tense. Just take your time and firmly insist your horse walk along the fence calmly. If your horse totally ignores your cue to walk after fifty trot strides, rein him to a stop.  Don’t get excited, just line him back out along the fence and walk off.

Walk until your horse is quiet and soft again, then ask for three trot strides again.  Once you have three strides, bring your horse back to a walk. Repeat the simple transition as many times as necessary until your horse seems to be getting the message and is consistently making quiet walk-trot transitions.

When your horse begins to make transitions willingly start changing the number of strides at the walk and trot.  Instead of three trot strides do seven; then nine; then three; then five; then nine again. But if you have to battle to get to first base, accept it gracefully and stop. Pat your horse and let him know you appreciate his effort.  Once you’ve both aired up a little, return to the fence and try again.

Every horse is different. You may get total control of your horse’s speed in one lesson. It may take many lessons. Just be sure to work in both directions and stop each lesson on a high note, so you can praise your horse and mean it. “Good job!”

 Exercise to Slow the Canter

Use the same exercise to get your horse to canter calmly at a speed you enjoy.  Refresh the walk-trot transition exercise. Once you’re doing that transition well, continue to trot forward at a speed that is comfortable for both you and your horse.

Ask your horse to pick up the canter using the smallest possible cue. Keep in mind that you only want him to canter three strides before downshifting to the trot.  Again, it will probably take far more than three strides before he slows to the trot, but you have to begin somewhere.

Remember to warm up adequately at the trot before starting working on the canter. Also, if you always ride your horse with short reins and a lot of weight on the bit you will always have to ride that way. Be sure to work regularly on a loose rein.

 Perfecting Speed Control

Once your horse understands what you want, and is both willing and able to continue, begin working on making your transitions pretty and soft. As your horse begins to listen for your cue to down-shift, you can trot longer and longer distances on a nice loose rein. If your horse starts to speed up again drop to a walk, organize, and go back to the exercise.

 Maintaining Control of your Horse’s Speed

Routine maintenance is necessary in all horse maneuvers to keep them tuned and responsive. Speed control works the same way. Any time you horse even thinks about hitting the gas without permission, go back and practice your transition exercise again.

.     .     .

It is possible to establish a new beginning whether you already have a 10 year relationship with your horse or this is your first day together.  These steps and concepts are the foundation of my programs with troubled horses as well as to maintain right relationship with my own.

Leadership Goals with Horses

Worthy leaders want the same three things from their horses that God wants from us:

1. Show up.
2. Focus.
3. Offer obedience.

Day One in the round pen is an exercise in focus. The fact that the horse is already in the round pen takes care of the showing up part. Your goal is to gain the horse’s focus – consistently.  In most instances that is the entire goal for Day One, and the beginning of every single day that follows.

Unless you can get your horse’s attention there is no opportunity for the horse to offer obedience. Remember a key component of obedience is the option to NOT be obedient. Horses that are forced into a behavior are coerced, not obedient. Leaders do not coerce.

On days one, two, three, or nine – until you can get your horse to focus, don’t be concerned about getting to the obedience part. If you address focus correctly, obedience will begin to come along naturally.

Three Things to Avoid when Working with a Horse

There are three tattle-tale horse behaviors that scream leadership failure;

1. Anger
2. Aggression
3. Anxiety

In the round pen, stable, in hand or under saddle, whenever a horse exhibits any of these three behaviors it is proof the leader messed up somewhere.

Don’t Make any Move without a Purpose

When I enter the round pen with any horse I need to evaluate its mindset before making my first move. Does the horse fear me? Ignore me? Or is it overly familiar?

If the horse fears me I ignore it. I speak with the audience or a friend, or simply wander around and enjoy the surroundings without ever looking at or walking directly to the horse.  Sooner or later the horse will settle down and notice me rather than simply reacting to my presence. You cannot establish a relationship with a horse that is anxious or fearful.

Make no move before you know exactly what question you will ask the horse and precisely what the right answer is.

Sample first questions and the right answers:

Asking a horse a question on Day One in the round pen means making a request for a physical response. The most important point to remember is to make each question SIMPLE and SPECIFIC. Each question on Day One should be no more than one tiny step. Each Q & A that follows deals with what question I might ask a particular type of horse.

Q:  Pushy horse: A horse that does not respect my space will be asked a question with the least possible cue, like, Will you BACK AWAY? Backing away is a submissive action so it is both the safest option and one a pushy horse will (eventually) respect.

Oklahoma Round Pen Clinic

A: The moment the horse’s feet move in reverse I return to whatever I was doing and ignore the horse.  To the horse this means, you asked me to back with no more pressure than needed, and the instant I did you left me alone.

If the horse continues to be pushy I will ask for more backing steps and increase the size of my personal space until the horse learns I cannot be out-stubborned.

Q: Angry or aggressive horse:  This horse either ignores me, invades my space, shakes its head and neck, turns its rear to me or makes some other move that is the equivalent of giving me the “pony finger.”  I simply decide how I want the horse’s feet to move and ask that specific question by applying the least cue possible. The question may be to move to the right around the round pen.

A: The instant the horse turns to the right and takes one step I go back to what I was doing and ignore it. To the horse this means, you made me move and quit pushing when I did what you asked.

Q: Lazy or spoiled horse: Horses must be moving to be trained.  Horses that stand in one spot and just look at me will have to move their feet sooner or later. It the horse isn’t afraid it will be sooner. If the horse looks at me I will approach it directly from the front. Most horses will move away whenever they get uncomfortable or decide to play keep-away.  My question may be, Will you stand still if I walk up and pet your face?

A: If the horse allows me to march up and pet its face without moving feet or losing focus, that is the right answer. I pet once or twice, turn and go back to what I was doing.

If the horse moves its feet or looks away, that is not the right answer, and I will ask the horse to move out in the opposite direction of travel or focus. If the horse looks away from me to the right I ask it to go left using the tiniest cue possible.  This is a NEW QUESTION. The right answer is the horse turning and moving one step in the proper direction.  When that happens I go back to what I was doing before asking the horse to stand while I came to pet it. Right answer, no more question.

Horses learn that they may need to wait on me, but I will never wait on them.

Focus – Recognizing when you get it and when you lose it

You must know when your horse gives you the right answer, which is Focus. Your goal on Day One in the round pen is to establish a beginning. That’s it. Victory comes when your horse keeps his attention on you even when you are ignoring him. Always quit the lesson while you’re ahead.

Willing Followership

When your horse is standing still you want to see both eyes. When your horse is moving around the round pen you want to have both the inside eye and ear trained on you. If you can’t see the inside eye and the ear rotates away, you have lost the horse’s focus and you must immediately ask a new question to regain it.

If the horse is moving around the pen, sometimes the right answer to your question is to stop and look at you with both eyes.  You must know what question you are asking so you know precisely and immediately when the horse gives you the right answer.

Anytime the horse has your attention you must have his. Anytime you are focusing on the horse he must be focusing on you. The instant his eyes look away it is time for a new question that involves where and how his feet must move. The moment you get the right answer – quit asking.

~

Did you think Day One could be so complicated? It isn’t really. Every time you ask a reasonable question, use the least effort to ask, and then QUIT ASKING when you get the right answer, you are building a strong foundation.

Many trainers find it difficult to identify what question to ask and what answer is correct. That’s because they aren’t thinking simply enough.

This article is an overview of Round Pen 101 and certainly not exhaustive. You could write books on the subject of focus, leadership, and relationship with a horse. Actually, I’ve already written two. If you have a question or particular challenge with your horse, please ask and I’ll do my best to address your particular situation.

.     .     .     .

Jesus Christ is the most perfect Leader; under the proper authority of His Father, as well as delivering perfect peace, joy, and freedom from fear to those who follow Him with perfect focus.  None of us can maintain a proper focus on our Savior 100% of the time. Remember that when your horse has the same problem paying attention to you. Be simple. Be clear. Every problem we have with God is our fault and the person responsibile for every problem we have with our horse is standing in front of him wearing our boots.