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Wow! You sure had a lot to say about the turn-around. Thanks so much for all the help. You know the best part about it? Now I know I’m not the only one that thinks it’s a difficult maneuver. It’s really hard to get the hang of! They (the they, you know who they are) make it look so easy.

I got to go to my third Les Vogt clinic last weekend, as you know (only my second on horseback). During his clinics, there is free time where he’ll let you choose what you’d like to work on and have him help you with individually. I chose to spend most of my time, under the watchful eye of Les, doing turn-arounds and the collected sequence stop.

I think the two maneuvers have one major thing in common, that thing that Les is always saying, “It’s all in the neck!” This clinic really hammered home the importance of that. If the horse isn’t supple and soft in the neck, the maneuver will always fail. I don’t know why it’s taken so long for that to sink in to my noggin.

With the turn-around, I worked on the approach a lot (riding into it like Al says)–bumping the back of the horse up to the front, always keeping the form of the neck. When the neck was right I could make the attempt. I really had to pay attention to my hands (drrr). The inside rein (hand) helps create that bend where you should only see the horse’s eyelashes, and the outside rein (hand) controls the speed and also helps to keep the form of the neck. With Les supervising several attempts, I feel like I’ve really got the idea now and realize that it’s going to take a lot of practice before it becomes second nature.

I get it now. Basically, there should be no resistance in the neck whatsoever. None. Thats where I need to work with Leo right now, but he’s pretty dang close (I say this with no small amount of pride).

Amanda, you were talking about some hip issues? I think you said your horse might be swapping ends a little? Leo does that too. I watched Les have some riders really go to work on that. If the horse is swapping ends than one thing he suggests is “having a conversation” with the horse about it by pushing the inside hip to the eye, before trying again. Also, where is your foot/leg? Have you tried cuing from farther back, like you would to move the hip in a turn on the forehand? You probably already know that but just in case–it might help hold the hip in.

Leo is home! Finally! He looked like he’d been in cowboy bootcamp all summer. He just looked really wore out and soooo happy to be home. He hadn’t seen green grass all summer and his little nose was sun burned. The best part was seeing him and his pasture mate Shadow say their hellos. Cuuuute!

I let him have a few days off to relax, and then I hopped back on. I got so frustrated today over turn-arounds. I’m just not getting it at all.

The exercise: When I’m practicing a turn-around, I’m walking a bigger circle, then I cut to the middle of the circle, turn around, and walk or trot out. I repeat that over and over until I hate myself for being so lame at it (and sometimes I stay up til 2 in the morning to blog about how lame I am at it).

How I ask: I bump with my legs to the center of the circle, then I take out the inside leg so he’ll turn.

The problem(s): I think I’m messing up with my hands and my body position.

Questions: Do you guys lean to the inside with your weight? Do you lean back? Do you look into the turn (twist your body in the direction of the turn, almost like you’re looking over your shoulder?) What about your hand position?

I’ve seen that hand position should be the inside rein higher than the outside rein, with hands pretty close together. But it seems to work better for me if I almost guide him with the inside rein, almost pulling him around.

The results I’m getting–how I know I’m messing up: Either I bunch him up so much that he starts that dreadful hopping around with his front end; or I give him too much slack and he walks out of it.

Sometime I feel like I was born to train horses. Other days I feel like I should quit and take up Ping-Pong. Today I felt like I needed to take up Ping-Pong. Ugh!

I’m so glad Leo is back though. I missed him bunches.

Hi! Sorry for being so quiet lately! Guess what I’ve been doing? Riding horses and chasing cows! I’m been having so much fun. You know, chasing cows is a lot like longing horses, putting pressure on the hip speeds then up and pressure on the head slows them down. Piece of cake right? Pffft!

I don’t have a bunch of time to write because I’m behind on everything, but heres the quick summary:

• Turns out Leo is super supple and I’ve done “a great job” there
• I “get” the cows. Does that mean I’m cowy?
• Leo and I are horrible at turn-arounds, which means, it’s really me thats horrible at turn-arounds.
• We did our first flying lead change. Woooooooooo!!!! It was ugly, but we did it!!!
• I have a riding instructor/amazing horse trainer that is a total keeper
• Leo is going to his first team-roping this weekend. This is a pass or fail for him so keep your fingers crossed.
• Best news of all! Leo is coming home after the roping next week. (Of course, if he does horribly at the roping, he’ll probably only be home for a short time, but I’ll worry about that if it happens.)

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far! Hows training going? How are the horses? Whats going on?

This photo is of Leo, a.k.a., “The Leonator.” Leo spent 3 months with a trainer a few years ago. One day, after spending the day in the field working cattle, Leo refused to respond to a cue. So the trainer reportedly, “put the spurs to him.” They were on a hill. Leo, being the powerfully athletic horse that he is, put everything he had into bucking that trainer off. Not only did he toss the trainer into some bushes, he bucked himself right off balance and tumbled head-over-hoof all the way down the hill.

A few years later, his owner took him out into an arena filled with riders warming up their horses for team roping. Leo was cued into a canter, but would not slow down when asked to. His owner gave him an impatient jerk on the bit. Leo, being the powerfully athletic horse that he is, put everything he had into bucking off his papa. I hear it was a pretty spectacular display, complete with horse butt going nearly vertical on a few occasions. He not only launched his papa high over the heads of other riders, he continued his bucking spree for a full lap and a half around the arena (just in case anyone hadn’t noticed he was irritated).

Leo was intended to be a roping horse, and he will be. Why do I think he’ll be a great reining horse as well? You should seeeeee him! I’ve never ridden a horse with a softer mouth or more sensitive sides. He’s a speedy little guy and has delivered some impressive stops. Did I mention his agility in turns? Ok, so I don’t know a lot about what makes a great reining horse, but I’ve seen the videos! I think he can do it.

Training: We began training together a few months ago, and have had all kinds of challenges. I am learning about reining through books, training dvd’s, and other riders. I’m hoping to create a community here where reiners can share their experiences and build a knowledge base for the discipline. I will be logging the challenges that I’m having with Leo, who will definitely provide plenty of material.

First obstacles? How to start him on turn arounds properly and how to keep from getting launched. So far so good. I don’t use spurs and the most he’d ever get out of me in terms of punishment for bad behavior is backing him, a series of small circles, or some extra work in the round pen. Does anyone have any advice on curing a horse that bucks? He seems to be getting a lot more gentle with just consistent riding, but there are times when I can tell that he wants to get rid of me. I usually change the subject when that happens.