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  Discussion on Small circles
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Member:
Heidim

Posted on Saturday, Aug 6, 2005 - 7:54 am:

This question has to do with handling behavioral problems on horseback. When I was younger, I learned to give my horse a good whack when he or she acted up. Now I'm seeing from watching other riders that this may not be the best approach. Can someone please explain when and why to turn a horse in small circles? Also, is there ever an appropriate time to hit a horse to make them listen?

I'm asking this question for general information, as I've been wondering about this for a while. As to why I'm asking this question now, I recently bought a 13-year-old herd-bound mule. His previous owner believes he became this way from living alone most of his early years. When I ride him away from his stablemates, either at home or at our local arena, he tries to bully his way back and even rears a little. I'd like to know the best way to handle this behavior.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Saturday, Aug 6, 2005 - 11:15 am:

Heidi,

There are two ideas behind my using small circles when I am riding.

One is for self-preservation. If I am riding forward on a stubborn or frightened animal, and the forward motion stops, and I can feel a buck, rear, or other unwanted action brewing, I will bend my horse's body and ask for "forward" on that bend. It is much more difficult for a horse to rear or buck when his body is bent with his nose touching his side . . . and if the horse is balking, bending him in a tight circle will ensure that he will MOVE to try to straighten out his body. When I feel the horse try to move FORWARD on that tiny circle, (sideways doesn't count) then I circle until the nose is pointed in the direction I want to go, and I release the rein and continue to ask for forward in a straight line. If the horse balks again, then I end up shortening one rein, anchoring my hand on my hip and giving the verbal and physical FORWARD cue until he moves forward on the small circle again. I have never had this NOT work with any of the horses I have ridden or trained. It is more work for the horse to work on a small circle than it is for the horse to be released from pressure to move straight ahead, and the problem horses DO figure this out if the rider is consistent and patient.

The other reason you may see tiny circles with the horse is because the rider may be asking for the horse to "listen" and to give to the bit. A horse shows that by putting slack into the asking rein. When the rider takes the slack out of one rein (even a tiny squeeze is enough of an "ask" for a well-trained horse), it is a cue for the horse to "give" his nose to that side . . . the horse's response is a key to whether or not the horse understands or obeys your communications. If the horse isn't listening to you or doesn't understand your communications, then the potential for an unsafe ride or poor performance is huge. When I take the slack out of one rein, intially, the horse may think I want him to turn his body and walk in that direction, but unless he e comes toward my hand softly with his nose and puts slack back INTO that rein, then it may look like I am asking him to do small circles when I am really asking him to give his nose to me and listen. I won't release the rein until the horse softly bends and puts slack in the rein. As soon as he gives to me with his nose resulting in NO tension on the rein, then I will release and praise and let him go straight . . . irregardless of the direction we may be heading . . . Im that case, it is not a steering cue but a "hey, horse . . . Hellooooooo . . . are you listening? . . . please answer me" cue.

Anyway, I hope this helps a bit.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 7:36 am:

Holly did an excellant job of describing what to do, and how to do it. I do the same things but could not put it into words as well as she did.

As far as hitting a horse, I have on the rare occasion had to slap the end of the reins behind my leg when doing the circles. I had a few horses who would just go sideways until they ran into something. A slap would remind them they were supposed to be also moving away from my inside leg. This was before I had an arena for training and back when I just got on and rode my horses out on the trails.

I find the older I get, the less "hitting" I do. I do more asking, and more time in the arena fine tuning. I do have one horse yet who lays her ears back when we have a "disagreement" and she may get a slap on the rump or neck from me.

A horse/mule who doesn't want to leave the gang behind needs to be made very uncomfortable when acting up. He needs to realise that going for a nice stroll away from the farm is the easiest thing he can do. I would circle him, make him back and move away from my leg, circle some more. Then immediately ask him to go forward. It may be a long day, but he'll get it. If he is rearing hold off on the backing part so you don't encourage him to go "up".

A horse going forward can't rear. A horse with his nose pulled to the side can't rear.

Good luck.
Member:
Heidim

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 10:45 am:

Now it makes sense. A lot of sense. I'll give it a try. Thanks, Holly and Angie, for your input.
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 1:49 pm:

Another would about hitting. You dont hit them as punishment but you can use a crop as extention of youre leg so you dont need to use strong leg cues. Your horse should move off your leg with a slight nudge if they don't you can tap with the crop to enforce the leg cue. It keeps then very responsvise to your leg aids. Thats the only time I use a crop.
Holy explained the circling. One word of advice make sure your horse is warmed up before doing tight circles.
Katrina
Member:
Brandi

Posted on Sunday, Aug 7, 2005 - 8:02 pm:

Heidi, many folks might also recommend doing a fair amount of ground work and gaining your mule's respect for you as a leader that way. If he's anxious or fearful being away from the herd and you spend enough time to become his herd leader, he won't have near as much concern leaving his barnmates because he will feel safe being with you, plus he will be learning to obey you. Read up on any of the "natural horsemanship" trainers and you will get some specifics on what to do and why it works so well. Also, in the beginning, be sure that the times away from the other horses (whether 20 feet or 2 miles--whatever you two can do comfortably and safely) are fairly stress-free and easy, and make the times nearer the other horses a lot of work--sidepass, gazillions of transitions, halts, various turns, whatever you can think up. This way he will begin to associate your time alone as rewarding. As he gets more confident with your alone time you can increase the work.

Good Luck
Member:
Dtranch

Posted on Monday, Aug 8, 2005 - 8:52 am:

Good point on ground work Brandi. As for the circles, I find it to be one of the most effective training tools I use for a lot of different situations. And, an added reward if done correctly, is a more supple, soft, and responsive horse. I use it for rearing problems, balking, runaways, as well as just basic handling and versatility, especially combined with serpentine at walk and trot. Stay with it and I think you will be pleased with your results.
DT
Member:
Zoe

Posted on Monday, Aug 8, 2005 - 12:39 pm:

Heidi,
I really only turn a horse in circles when IM on a trail and we are stopped and they want to go I turn them in circles so they have something to do and they aren't trying to runaway. GOOD LUCK!
Z
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