2 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

backs, use more leg and lighten up on the reins. If he moves forward, take a more solid hold of his mouth. If you can't tell if your horse is moving the right part of his body, ask someone to come help you from the ground. That person can let you know if, for example, your horses haunches are actually moving when you cue for shoulder motion.

Now you're ready for the half-pass. The half-pass allows your horse to move diagonally across the ring. It's not a full side-pass, where the horse moves sideways, but it is a much easier place to start. What you'll be doing is combining forward motion with sideways motion. It's a little tricky, but your horse doesn't have to be an acrobat to master this move in all his gaits. Start by walking forward, then making firm contact with the bit through the reins as you apply leg pressure. Remember, you aren't turning, so keep your reins even, and don't use so much rein that your horse stops. You just want some sideways motion. At first, reward any sideways movement, but work up to the point where you feel like the shoulder and haunches stay even as you move sideways. Try it at the trot and you'll really get a sense of which part of your horse's body is getting left behind. Use your leg aids from your practice with turning the shoulder, body, and haunches to keep your horse in line as you move diagonally across your arena from corner to corner.

Don't be afraid to use too much leg - you'll need a lot, and more as you go faster. Again, you can ask someone to help you from the ground, or you can check the hoof prints. A horse moving in a straight line will show the hind feet falling in line with the front feet, while a horse correctly half passing will show a distinct set of prints for the front and hind legs, each going diagonally and parallel. Just keep working at it. Any horse can do it, but it doesn't always come naturally.

When you've got a good half-pass, try using more rein and moving in a direct sideways line, perpendicular to the direction your horse is facing. You'll need more rein and more leg, but if your half-pass is good, you should be doing a full side-pass in no time. If you find a body part being continuously left behind, stop and work on moving just that part. So if every time you try a side pass to the left, you find the horse's right shoulder getting left behind and swinging to the right, stop and practice a turn on the haunches to the left by moving only the right shoulder over.

Like everything horse-related, practice makes perfect, so remember those leg cues next time you decide to open the gate or get the mail at the end of the road without dismounting. And of course, once your horse has learned to side-pass, you'll want to show off to all your riding buddies.

Learn more about this author, Sara Hatayama.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about How to teach your horse to side-pass?
We want to hear your view. Write now!