Getting Showmanship Savvy

How Do I Start?
If you would like to train your horse to follow you like his dance partner, he must be able to read and follow your movements clearly. You must have a different body position for every manoeuvre that you wish your horse to perform. Each body position must be clear and distinct and you must move smoothly from one position to the other, giving your horse ample time to interpret your movements. The movements I teach my students are as follows:

•    Turn on the haunches: the handler faces the horse’s shoulders with his shoulders parallel to the horse’s body.
•    Walk forward: the handler faces forward with the horse’s throatlatch level with handler’s shoulder.
•    Back up: the handler stands level with the horse’s nose, facing the horse with his shoulders at a 45-degree angle to the horse’s body.

Practice moving from one position to the other smoothly and efficiently, making each position separate and distinct. You should find yourself relying less on your lead shank to cue your horse. My students who are ready to compete in showmanship can take the halter right off their horses and run, stop, pivot 360 degrees, and back up, in any combination, while their horses remain attached like a magnet at their sides. This can be a fun goal to work towards with your horse, and whatever your riding discipline, basic showmanship training will make your horse a pleasure to be with!