In today's lesson, we will build on our foundational exercises and teach the horse how to carry himself in a spin. Be sure to watch Part 1, where we worked on: 1. The Basic Circle, 2. Leg Yield, 3. Turning on the Forehand, 4. Side Pass, and 5. Reverse Arc.
When developing a spin, I want to focus on the movement of the front end more than the hind end. If I succeed in controlling the front end in this movement, the hind end will do what it needs to do. I'll use exercises to build my spin from a solid step, to a quarter turn, to a 180, and then finally, a 360 spin.
Exercise 1 - Getting a Responsive Step-Over
In this first exercise, we'll get the beginnings of a nice, responsive step-over. I'll start by asking my horse to move his shoulders over, cueing with my seat and my inside rein. I want him to reach back under my inside stirrup with his shoulders. If he doesn't move over, I will stop the front end with my outside rein, and ask him to move his hindquarters to the outside (our exercise from last week). I'll keep asking him to move over until it feels like he is wanting to reach over with his shoulder, then I'll let him come through. This is the original movement I asked him for. Eventually, he learns that the easiest thing for him to do is to just move his shoulders over the first time I ask with my seat.
Exercise 2 - Quarter Turn
In this next exercise, we will build up to quarter turns by sidepassing a square. Keep him soft, and pick up the inside front foot as you come around the corner.
Exercise 3 - 180 Degree Turn
Walk forward, then ask for a turn and go the opposite direction, keep walking forward. Repeat. COMMON MISTAKE: A lot of people will try to hold the horse back from going forward in the turn, and it gets ugly. Allow the horse to go forward if he wants, especially as he is learning, to get him thinking forward. Remember, if the shoulders are right, the hind end will eventually take care of itself. TIP: Resist the urge to use your leg or your spur to force that turn. Use your seat and rein to guide your horse through the turn. The legs will control the speed and offer correction if necessary, but they will not be the main cue.
Common Complaints:
1. "My horse is too slow in the spin. I feel like I'm dragging him."
2: "My horse won't spin unless I'm holding him back with the bridle."
These issues are connected. The more you turn your horse loose, the more fluid he is going to become. If you try to use one spur to get a faster spin, you'll get a bend in his body that prevents him from spinning fluidly. TWO legs at the same time will increase his speed without bending him. Make sure you also think about not overdoing the spins to where he is losing steam. To get a quicker spin, ask for a little at a time. Add legs and kiss to him, and as soon as he speeds up a few steps, allow him to stop and release him. This will teach him that he can hurry to a release. If the horse tries to blow forward rather than speed up the spin, stop the front end with the outside rein.
Remember: It's always better to have it soft, pretty, correct, and SLOW, than ugly and FAST.
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride!
- Ken McNabb