I have been having a fabulous weekend soaking up information at the Buck Brannaman clinic here in Bozeman. Though I have attended quite a few of these clinics I always pick up new information. Sometimes I am reminded of some key points that I had forgotten to implement. I really enjoy learning and seeing others excited about improving their own skills. Watching Buck ride is always an inspiration to keep improving upon my riding and understanding of horses.

A key element that I would like to share with you this week would be, have a plan A and a plan B. Whenever riding we need to be able to vary our approach to how we ask our horses to operate. Having a plan A in relation to how we ask is crucial. I say plan A in relation to the application of our aides. This being an application of the reins legs or even the life that we carry in our bodies. Approaching this with the idea that plan A should be our idea of lightness will help us attain that goal.

Let's relate this to getting a horse to move out or go. As we sit relaxed and heavy in our saddle our horse knows to stand quietly. Now with the idea that we want to move forward we will offer plan A. Plan A in this scenario would be rolling up, off of our sitting bones and getting tall in the saddle. We would roll up into "position 2" of our pelvis and bring some energy into our legs. Our plan A has now been offered to our horses. At this point our horse will either pick up on the signal and begin walking or remain standing still. If the horse began walking, great. Go with them and quietly ride off.

If on the other hand our horse remained standing or just barely picked up a hoof to begin walking, we need to move on to plan B. Here plan B becomes an application of our legs, kicking in a rhythmic fashion. As we change our approach from plan A to plan B, we need to now apply our aides (legs) in a manner that we know will carry our horses up to the walk. Plan B will vary on different horses to fit their level of responsiveness. A dull horse may take a rider kicking about as hard as they can. While a more responsive horse may only require a gentle tap from the riders calf to get them moving. By doing whatever it takes to get the horse to move we are successful in plan B.

Now, here is the key to the whole thing. If offering something light to our horses through plan A does not accomplish our desired outcome we are not done. Set up the scenario again and again until plan A works. If we always have to go to our plan B to get a movement we are failing our horses. They will remain dull and always require a kick or crude aide to achieve a desired result. By going back and setting up the scenario time and time again until plan A works, we are advancing a horse and moving towards lightness.

Using this approach in all of our desired movements a horse learns to take us up on the good deal. Plan A becomes all it takes to achieve movement. The horse becomes responsive and timely in their response. Try it out. This approach is amazing in the results that can be achieved. As you get good at this and gain results, begin to offer a plan A that is even less. How far can you take it?

Plan it out,

Eric

Easton Horsemanship