Horses have a natural instinct to pull and push against pressure – not give and soften to it. So every opportunity you get, teach your horse to soften to pressure. You always want your horse thinking of how he can give and soften to pressure, rather than thinking of how he can resist, stiffen and get out of doing what you want him to do. I’m a fanatic about softness – I want my horses to be so soft that I can pick up on the reins with two fingers, and they instantly give. Or, I can barely touch them with the calf of my leg and they’re moving their ribcage or hindquarters away from it. Remember, the softer and more responsive your horse is, the more you’ll be able to accomplish with him.

Clinton Anderson
www.downunderhorsemanship.com