On the Fence—Extending the Turn
Here’s something to try after you’ve been getting the crossover steps for a couple of weeks. Once you’re gett ing those three steps or four steps, you’re basically doing half a turn. So here’s a way to help the horse finish off the turn. Set yourself up just like you did for the last exercise, but this time what we’re going to do is start by turning your horse away from the fence and then let the fence finish the turn. But your horse is about six or more feet long, so how is that horse going to go through that little three-foot hole? Well, he’ll have to squat down behind to draw down, and he’ll have to be bent. So start turning away from the fence, get your first three steps, keep your bend and keep driving your horse. The fence will take care of the next three steps. You can do this in a corner too, and it’s a really good trick.

Round and Round and Round She Goes
How many turns can I make once my horse is starting to get it? If there is no interference, that is, he’s mechanically correct in his leg placement—five times, 10 times, what would it hurt? As long as there is no stress, go ahead and keep going. Let the horse get used to and become comfortable with the movement. If there is stress, two is too many; you need to stop and figure it out. Why would there be stress? Three reasons: 1) you don’t have the sweet spot in terms of the amount of bend where his shoulders will clear; 2 you’re not riding him up into the turn but instead you’re trying to pull him back—consequently he hits himself; and, of course, 3) you’ve let him get rigid and lift his neck. That’s it.

–Les

Les Vogt has won more than 15 World Championships, including two wins at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. Today Les focuses is giving clinics around the world and developing products for the performance horseman. To learn more about Les and to see his clinic schedule, visit www.lesvogt.com.