A horse isn't steering correctly if they're crooked in their body. They need to be relaxed, willing, and straight. The term straight can be misleading when working on a circle. It's when the horse is bent through their body in the direction they're traveling. If they're traveling on a 50-meter circle, then their body should be curved to the inside. Steering requires a horse to bend from their nose to their haunches.

Steering the Green Horse

Warwick Schiller is a talented trainer. His methods are based on a deep understanding of how horse's think and react. He offers a video tutorial on how to teach the young horse under saddle how to steer. His example is with a 5-year-old Andalusian mare. To begin, he focuses on relaxation and building her confidence.

He uses his posture and seat to encourage forward energy. The mare easily picks up a walk when he sits upright. Next, he lifts his right hand ever so slightly to signify a right turn. The mare turns her body, but she has no bend in that direction. A "straight" horse will have slight bend in the direction they're traveling. To encourage a correct turn, Warwick holds the right rein until she bends in that direction. He quickly releases to reward her.

Check out the video to see this mare in action.

Warwick also stresses the importance of steering without tension. The horse needs to be relaxed for this to be done correctly. You'll need to be a decent rider to pick up on when your horse is bending. An experienced instructor can offer you assistance in the beginning.

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