Hanson Quarter Horses - Cathy Hanson: Training Tip - Working the Gate in Trail Class

TRAIL CLASS TIP

           There are eight ways to work the gate in trail class:

           1. right hand push and walk through

           2. right hand pull and walk through

           3. left hand push and walk through

           4. left hand pull and walk through

           5. right hand push and back through

           6. right hand pull and back through

           7. left hand push and back through

           8. left hand pull and back through.

            It is your horse's job to position the rider so the gate may be worked easily. The side pass, the pivot, the turn on the forehand, backing and neck reining are all used in working a gate...before you practice working the gate, practice each of the maneuvers. Be prepared.

            In competition, keep the movement slow and steady. In practice, slow way down, pausing and keeping the horse relaxed.

           To increase the difficulty of working gates, place a pole along the bottom of the gate so the horse will have to step over when walking through. Never use a pole when backing through a gate.

          You can get complete details for working gates in my e-book Natural Western Riding. Click here to order.