Comments on: Training Your Horse to Spin, Part 1

By: LarryTrocha

LarryTrocha — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 04:42:15 +0000

@Izzy R.: Yes, I do have a suggestion.

A horse not using his pivot foot is an indication of a lack of impulsion or forward drive… and that's usually pretty easy to fix.

Also if the horse isn't moving off the rein well enough, it can cause the hindquarters to swing out.

Keep in mind, if the shoulders are moving off the rein crisp and light, it's almost impossible for the horse not to use his pivot foot correctly.

You as the rider may be causing part of the problem.

Make sure you are not leaning or using body english in the direction of the spin. This can cause any horse to swing his hindquarters out of gear.

Have your shoulders square with the horse, slightly turn only your head and look in the direction of the spin.

Let your upper body be "left behind" during the spin. In other words, let the horse drag you through the spin.

This will help him a bunch.

Using the reins too forcefully, too heavy or too steady will cause the horse to not use his pivot foot.

The reins need to be used extremely light with touches and releases matching the horse's steps.

Good luck,

Larry T.

By: Izzy R.

Izzy R. — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:47:43 +0000

Hey Larry,
I have a question about my reining horse. He'll spin on the right que, but he doesn't totally plant his pivot foot. My trainer suggested bringing my hands forward or back, to allow less or more motion, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Izzy

By: HEATHER HUNT

HEATHER HUNT — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 03:05:40 +0000

THAT WAS GREAT HOW EASY YOU EXPLAINED HOW TO START TEACHING ME (THE RIDER) AND FOR ME TO TEACH MY BOY THE SPIN I HAVE TWO OF YOUR DVDS WHICH HAVE HELPED ME WITH OUR TRAINING AND THE GERMAN MARTINGALE WHAT A WONDERFUL TOOL THAT IS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE

By: Mike Hansen, Hansen Horses.

Mike Hansen, Hansen Horses. — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:46:51 +0000

Larry, I have seen your videos and kept up with your training tips. We have been in the cow horse business for 30 years, and you can still learn something. We think you are in the company of only a few trainers, that actually know what they are talking about. It is hard for novice riders to grasp all of your concepts, but there are plenty of us out there that do. I know you have improved my training ability, in some areas. Keep up the good work.

Mike Hansen, Hansen Horses,( South Texas)

By: Roy

Roy — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:43:26 +0000

I liked the dvd you sent. You've got a lot of good ideas and I appreciate you sharing them. I spent most of my working life in bush with horses, cattle and sheep. The last 7 years I worked feedlots, well just three different ones, penriding and needling cattle etc. I have cut out a lot of cattle and have bred and started some really smart horses. Cutting is something new, observed only from a distance. Once again, thankyou.
Roy