Use the stick to “test” the horse’s body from front to rear (both sides, of course!). Then pivot after each side.

Tap the horse’s chest to ask him to back up. How hard you tap depends on the amount of resistance you get.

Then go on a “walk about” beside your horse, using your stick.

People helping horses ~ Horses helping people

To contact us:

Home phone (803) 713-8470

(803) 420-6996/(803) 351-0223

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Bridgework

    In this part of the bridgework, your goal is for the horse to stand still. Using the stick, you can tap various points on the horse’s body to test where he may have issues. Your attitude should be  “How can I help you” instead of “Do what I tell you to do”.

   If you have asked the horse to stand still and your mindset is “Do this” and the horse moves, because the emphasis is on YOU, you react emotionally and “go after” the horse. Since the horse is a prey animal, he will see you as the predator. In this instance, you have lost your picture and you are not in control because you are reacting to the horse’s action, ETC. However, if your mindset is “How can I help you?” and the horse moves, you would not react emotionally. Instead, the situation would tell you what you need to work on with the horse and how to help the horse in order to reach your goal.

Working with the stick

Using the stick to “test” parts of the body