A comment/question after Episode 25:
“Stacy-
Thanks for a great video. Two questions… Why don’t you use your outside rein on Jac’s neck to help guide him over in the spin? Also generally what is a reasonable amount of time to expect a horse to progress from this stage to a “show quality” spin?
-Ingrid L.”
Ingrid- Eventually I will use the outside rein to ‘ask’ Jac to turn. Right now it is pointless because it doesn’t mean anything to him. First I will teach him using the direct (inside) rein because I can get Jac in a better frame.
Many times when people use the outside rein they forget it is for ‘asking’ not for ‘telling’. The problem this causes is that when people pull harder on the outside rein they cause the frame to change. Do you see how there is a curve to Jac’s body? That would be reduced if I used the outside rein. Later I will ask him to be straight at times, or even counter-bend in the spin, and I will use my outside rein for both of these. Early on I want the bend.
The outside hand will eventually request that Jac spins…but it will not ‘make’ him spin. That is the job of the inside rein and outside leg.
So to keep things simple in the beginning I leave out the outside rein. He will catch on very quickly to what that means after he fully understands the inside rein/outside leg combination alone.
Watch the change in Jac’s spin during these three episodes, which reflects eighteen hours of training on and off camera.
Training Training Time: 40 hours 30 minutes
Total Training Time: 42 hours 50 minutes
Total Training Time: 58 hours 30 minutes
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Love the progress with Jac. I was wondering if you use the fence to work on the stop. I know that some trainers do this and was wondering if this is a good tool when they are ready?
I also know nothing about spins or sliding stops… but I wonder whether mentally teaching Jac to spin or his ability physically is the most deciding factor in how quickly you progress. To an English rider, both look demanding physically for a horse when done in the show ring, not to mention making them dizzy?! How long does it take to teach a horse to that standard and what age? How old is Jac?
Hi Stacy,
I have loved following you and Jac throughd the video diarys! I was curious as to why you don’t use any leg protection, especially now that he is starting to slide?
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I know nothing about reining but have enjoyed the videos. My question is why do you have him bending toward the spin in the beginning. When they are finished aren’t they not bent? They look straight.
Becky-you are correct that the finished spin is much straighter. I bend to teach the shoulders. Watch for Episode 38 of Jac for more info.