One rein stop

[Wendy Milner <wmilner@verinet.com>]

The one rein stop differs from teaching the horse to circle.
In the one rein stop, you are going to "disconnect" the rear
end of the horse as you begin a circle.  This is very effective
for a horse that doesn't stop on command, runs away, has a
tender mouth, or is green.

Forward motion comes from the hind legs.  If you can temporarily
disengage the hind legs, the horse will come to a stop.

You will begin as if you are going to signal for a tight 
circle.  

Sit upright, don't lean forward or back, left or right.
Hold the reins evenly between your hands, just enough
pressure to feel the horse's mouth.
Both legs should be on the horse, feel the horse breath.

Move your right hand away from your body and towards the
horse's head.  You want to maintain pressure, not increase
it. Now make an arc, pulling the horse's head to the right.
If you pull hard, your arm should be away from your body and
to the side.

In a circle cue, you'd put your right leg at the girth and
your left leg behind the girth.  But we don't want a circle
here, we want a stop.  To disengage the hind end, ask the
horse to step over with the hind end.  Move your right
leg (the inside leg) behind the girth, and push that 
inside hind leg under the horse.

As soon as (as in the very instant) you feel the horse's right
hind leg step under him, release all aides.  This should only
be a matter of millimeters if you've done things correctly.
You stop pushing on the inside leg. You stop pulling with the
right rein.  

If the horse does not come to a stop, reapply the aides.

Common problems -
You don't sit upright, the horse doesn't stop.
Your leg isn't in the right position, the horse does a
spin around your leg.
You don't release the aide, the horse gets very confused.

The good part -
Once you have taught the horse the one rein stop,
you can stop the horse if a rein breaks,
you can slow the horse by begining to give the aides
(the horse will anticipate a stop),
and you have another tool in your bag of tricks.

Wendy