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Teaching your horse to side-pass can be fairly easy providing two simple cues have been well established before you begin. In order to teach lateral movements your horse should first have the ability to respond readily to direct leg and rein pressure.

Sometimes referred to as "straight steering", your horse needs to be able to bend his head and neck to the left and right when you pull on the left or right rein. When practicing direct rein cues always be aware of where you are positioning both of your hands, not just the hand that is initiating the signal. For example, if you are cueing your horse to yield to the right by pulling on the right rein make sure your left hand is not crossing over or making any contact on the left side. Your left hand should be forward and the rein slack otherwise you risk creating confusion and your signal is not clear. Once your horse is responding readily to direct rein pressure, you're halfway there.

The second cue you will need to establish is the leg yield. This cue requires that your horse move away from the leg applying pressure to his side. When teaching this signal, again, be aware of the position of both of your legs, not just the signaling leg. Make sure that if you are asking your horse to move to the left your left leg is not making contact. Only the right leg should be against his side with the left away. Begin this lesson by moving forward at the walk. When your horse is slightly collected and relaxed bring one leg against his side and gently ask him to move away. If he speeds up increase his collection with both hands and reinforce the signal by applying direct rein pressure on the side opposite the leg you are cueing with. Once you can achieve lateral movement with your legs, you will have established the second of the two signals needed to successfully achieve the side-pass.

When your horse is responding to both the direct rein and leg signals, head to the nearest fence and you can begin to teach the side-pass maneuver. Choose a fence or wall that is straight. The curve of a round pen is not suitable for this lesson. Place your horse at a right angle to the fence or wall and ask him to stand quietly. When he is calm and relaxed in this position collect him slightly and apply leg pressure to move him in the direction of your choice. The wall or fence will stop him from moving forward but he will most likely want to lead off with either his front end or back end first taking him out of position. If he leads with his

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