I start them on the ground. Take two fingers and press where the dip is where the rumpus and body come togther and press with your other had on his shoulder. While doing this say 'over' after he does a side pass let the pressure up to praise him. Do this 10 times a day if possible. After he will do this easily mount up and tell him to go over while pressing your heel to him on his left side to go right and his right side to go left. Hope this helps! Soon you will be doing this with just the word or the pressure!
Nov 11, 2011 Rating
Sidestep :) by: Tiger
You can try many things, including limbering him up by doing a turn on the forehand and then leaning on the leg you would like him to move. Some horses love to be praised by food :D
Good Luck! Tiger
Jan 26, 2011 Rating
sidestep by: Anonymous
When I'm training the horses to side-step on the ground I use a rope halter and lead rope.
Hold your horse's lead rope about a good half a foot from its head (your body is pointed toward your horse).
If you're holding the rope under the horses head with your left hand. You use the extra length of lead rope which is in your right hand to cue your horse (by bumping behind its elbow where your feet hit when you ride) if your horse doesn't move over you take his head to his right and make him move his body to it by using the rope to bump his sides.
Keep in mind that he doesn't know yet what exactly you want from him so use a pattern for your horse, 1-2-3-4 lightly then if he still doesn't move you try 1-2-3-4 medium then 1-2-3-4 hard. But try moving his head over then making his body move to it. I have only worked my horse four times and we used her for a demonstration in a January horse class.
Jan 19, 2011 Rating
hi by: akoiya
hey this is akoiya and i am just requesting you guys to go to my reply page. when you get there, read the comments and comment back to them, or ask me questions and i will look at your comments and reply back. its gonna be really fun so juts look under training stories for it.
Jan 09, 2011 Rating
Thanks! by: Rebekah
Thanks Daisy and ranchgirl I'll see which one works better before I pick which one to do. But I'm sure they will both work good.
Jan 09, 2011 Rating
I ride western! by: Rebekah
I ride western so I'd like to do it that way. Thanks for the tips I will try them.
Jan 08, 2011 Rating
I can try! by: Daisy
I can try and help you but every horse learns a different way! So wut I do is lay my leg gently on my horses side and give a little kick but keep her head in control so she knows to move sideways not forwards try that and if it don't work then I'm sorry I know no other way to do it! :(
Jan 08, 2011 Rating
Help by: ranchgirl
You can start by lunging each day for 30 minutes. Walk her by hand and let her graze. It depends what style you want her to do so I can write more. Please comment again and include what style you want her to ride as.
Do lunging 5-6 times a week to keep her skills. Make sure she is good for a halter then you can start. Give her bits of carrots for reward when she does good. Give her 2 pounds each day. If she doesn't finish it until the next morning give her 1 pound.
