Okay by now you can walk out and catch your young horse, he can lead and walk beside you stopping when you stop and turning with you. He is staring to move in the round pen comfortably and connecting up with you. He should be finding his release from pressure. At this point you can do one of two things, either start working with him on the lead rope/lunge line or start moving him around without the halter or lead and asking for specific movements in the round pen. When I start horses out I like to take everything off and let him move without restraint. When asking your horse to move you'll need to know how and where you should position yourself in accordance to his body and gate. Have a soft cotton lunge line coiled up in your hand holding the snap end, if and when you need to toss it towards him you'll want to use the soft end not the snap end. When in the round pen with your horse, imagine a line that runs between you and his withers. When you step in front of that line (putting you towards his head) it will make him want to stop and turn, stepping behind the line will mean for him to move forward and away. When asking him to move forward step behind the line (if going to the left) holding the rope in your right hand and step behind the imaginary line and toward him. Slap the rope on your leg and ask him (kiss to him) to move forward in the direction you are asking. If he starts running too fast or acting as if he wants to leave the pen, stop and back up, let him relax and slow down. Then ask again. Speak softly to him when asking him to move out. And tell him easy if he gets too excited. If he moves out easy and comfortable tell him good and let him go around a few times. Then ask him to stop by stepping in front of the line and toward him and say whoa. If he goes past you, step across the pen, hold your hand out with the rope in it and say whoa. Don't worry about which gate he's in at this time. As long as he is relaxed and not running wild. If he wants to walk then let him, if he wants to trot that's fine. He may do a little of all three. The main thing in doing this is that he stays calm and relaxed. Don't rush this. Repeat this till he is moving out softly and slowing to a stop when asked. Now ask him to change directions. Do this by asking him to stop and then walk toward his head (if you're changing to the right) rope in your left hand slap your leg gently and kiss to move him off. If he moves off in the same (left) direction let him go around ½ way or more and ask for the stop again then ask him to turn. He will probable turn to the outside (head towards the pen) that's fine. At this time it doesn't matter if he turns toward or away from you, just as long as he is turning and moving off. Repeat this and then ask him to change directions again. Let him go around a few times before stopping and turning. Keep him relaxed. When he does a good job let him stop and stand, walk up to him and pet him, tell him good job. When you walk away he should want to turn towards you and wait for you to tell him what's next. Okay now you have quit a bit to work on till next month. Remember to take your time and don't get frustrated. If you feel yourself getting irritated, stop and take a break or stop for the day. You don't want to have to undo or work with a scare confused horse the next day. Do this in both directions and in a walk and trot in the direction you choose. This can take some time by keeping his relaxed and calm. Any lesson you teach your horse he should be much more relaxed at the end then when you started. Keep this in mind. Next month we'll work with the lead rope and sacking him out. Sacking out means you should be able to touch him everywhere and walk up to him carrying things without spooking him. Practice all the things from catching him correctly to moving him within the round pen. Happy training and have fun. Remember teach consistently correct and with patience and respect.
