Over the last two months we have developed our communication in asking our horse to step forward to an object (step on a plate) and to back carefully and thoughtfully over an obstacle (back over a pole). Now we are going to add in another challenge - go through a narrow place. I really like to play with 55-gallon plastic barrels. They are easy to move around and reconfigure according to your horse's needs. At the Farm, Jerry's been kind enough to provide us with plenty of barrels, but if you don't have any at home you can improvise - just make sure the object is safe, even if your horse bumps into it.
Exercise: Squeeze between barrels.
GOAL: Your horse can move both forwards and backwards in a narrow alley, with confidence.
Start simply. Lay two barrels down, as if you were creating a jump for you horse, but leave a hole about three feet wide between them. Now ask your horse to go through the opening. It is best to stand to one side as you ask your horse forward through the hole, as a very worried horse might jump forward. That said - if your horse acts worried, just open the hole some more. The idea is to build his confidence, not force him.
When your horse feels comfortable with going forward, go ahead and try backing in and out of the opening, using the skills you developed in the backing over a pole exercise. Try narrowing the opening between the barrels. Next turn the barrels lengthwise, so they make a three-foot chute for him to go backwards and forwards through. Stand the barrels on their ends so they are a tall, narrow space to pass through.
Add a few barrels as you go to make the obstacle longer. Practice standing both to the left and right of your horse, as well as in front of the barrels (in effect leading him through) and behind the barrels (sending him through). Always make sure your horse can wait and relax in the middle of the obstacle.
