Steer Your Horse to Straightness

with your outside rein following up with outside leg pressure if the horse fails to move off of your rein aid. Your horse should remain straight through the turn with both shoulders at an even height. Once the horses shoulder is through the turn release the rein pressure relax your body and allow the horse to lope on a straight line through the middle of the circle like the spoke on a wheel Cheryl instructs. When you reach the outside perimeter on the opposite side of the circle make another 90 degree turn to the right and rejoin the circle line.
Repeat this whenever the horse leans out Cheryl advises or if the horse speeds up without being asked.
The horse may start to feel pushy on the inside shoulder warns Cheryl. But because the goal is to teach the horse to yield from the neck rein it is important not to use the inside rein to address the inside shoulder. Instead push the horse forward with both legs to encourage the horse to travel straight and engage from behind.
In right lead lope ride a rectangle using the full length of the arena but stay a minimum of ten feet off the track on the long sides. At each of the four corners of your rectangle ride a 90 degree turn to the right.
If the horse pushes his shoulder to the outside down the length of the arena make a 90 degree turn to the right onto a small square says Cheryl. Guide the horse around the four corners of the square and back onto the rectangular perimeter.
The key is to apply significant rein pressure during the turn by using a very relaxed arm Cheryl continues. Ensure the horse stays moving forward and from behind while making the turn. Always release the
rein pressure after making the turn.
If the horse starts to feel chargy on the short ends of the rectangle guide him onto a small square and remain very relaxed. Let the square do the work of slowing him down and avoid excessive reprimand as this will make him even more anxious.
Again make sure that each of the corners of your rectangle makes a clear 90 degree angle and avoid running ovals when loping the perimeter as this allows the shoulders to push unevenly during the rundown compromising both the distance of the stop as well as the horses ability to hold the stop Cheryl cautions.