HOW TO...NAVIGATE A GATE
Win Trail Classes! Amaze Your Friends!
Never Have to Dismount Again!
Republished
with permission from HorsePower
by Susan Dudasik
Having to get off your horse every time you want to go through
a gate is a huge pain, but having a horse that lets you open
gates while mounted is lots of fun, especially when your horse
is the only one in your group that will do so. Opening a gate,
riding through, then closing it isn't a difficult task, but it
is a test of obedience and patience between horse and rider.
To work a gate, your horse should know how to stand still, sidepass,
turn on the forehand and haunches and back-up, especially if
you want to compete in Trail class.
In the arena, a horse that is handy at these moves looks sharper
than the horse that makes wide turns and doesn't stand still.
Backing is also important because for showing, there are about
eight different ways to work a gate.
The first and most commonly used method is to approach the gate,
push it away from you, ride through, then close it. If you don't
plan to show, this is the simplest method.
For those showing, things get more complicated. The next method
requires the rider to sidepass away from the gate, pulling it
toward him, then riding through. Another method is to push the
gate open and back the horse through it and the final way is
to pull the gate toward you and back through.
That makes four ways and if you do it from the left and right
side, you have eight ways to go through a gate. To master all
eight takes lots of practice, but don't overschool or your horse
may soon anticipate what is going to happen.
The gate is a great obstacle to practice a variety of moves and
is an excellent place to work on simply standing still.
FIRST LESSONS
Actually, you don't even need a gate to begin introducing your
horse to working them; you simply need a section of fence. Start
by walking your horse along the fence and stopping at a specific
spot. The correct position should be about six inches from your
boot to the fence. Ask your horse to stop and stand still for
a minute, then ride off. Choose several spots along the fenceline
and repeat the process until your horse will come up close to
the fence and stand quietly. This may take a lot of work, as
many horses don't like to travel close to the fence. Just be
patient. Walk your horse in quiet circles away from and to the
fence trying to get closer with each pass.
Once your horse will go closely along the fence, ask him to stop
and stand. Although it's cute, don't allow him to nudge the fence.
This will just cause problems later on and lead to low scores
if you show. Next, reach over and rattle the fencing but be ready
in case your horse spooks and jumps away. If he does, go back
to simply riding up to the fence and standing.
When your horse relaxes, reach out and rest your hand on the
rail. Watch your horse's attitude; the more he relaxes, the more
you can rattle the fencing. Try to ride off before he gets upset.
Continue riding up to the fence, stopping, rattling it and riding
off until your horse is comfortable.
Begin to include this exercise in your regular training program.
Trot or canter a few times around the arena, then come and rattle
the fence and ride off and do something else. If your horse is
good at backing and sidepassing, include these moves in your
routine. Ride up to the fence, stop, stand and rattle it, then
walk, trot, sidepass or back away from the spot. Do this from
both directions.
THE REAL THING
Now it's time to actually start working a gate. You want to choose
one that swings easily, is light, easy to reach from horseback
and safe. (For example, never attempt to open a barbed wire fence
from horseback.)
You may want someone on the ground to help you. Ride up to the
gate and put your horse in the proper position, then reach over
and move the gate toward and away from you. Be ready, your horse
may spook and jump away. If he does, don't worry about the gate,
let go. That's what your ground person is for. Trying to hold
on only gives your horse more reason to be afraid.
If your horse is spooky, get off and lead him back in position.
Then, from the ground swing the gate away and toward him. Keep
your voice calm and reassure him everything is all right.
As he begins to accept the moving gate, gradually let the gate
lightly bump him. Keep working until he stands quietly and remember
to do this exercise from both sides.
If your horse is still nervous about the gate, do the following
exercise from the ground. When your horse is standing quietly,
let the gate swing open and walk forward, away from it. Make
a big circle and walk right through the gate. Do the same on
the other side. Let your horse calmly walk straight through the
gate three or four times or until he is comfortable.
Now get aboard. Walk through the gate again, but this time stop
in the middle of the opening and make your horse stand for about
30 seconds before continuing. You don't want him to learn to
rush the gate or rub your legs against the side. Next, ride to
the center of the gate, stop and back-up. Doing these exercises
from the ground is also a great way to introduce young horses
to working gates.
When you and your horse are comfortable, it's time to really
work it.
Ride up and position your horse next to the gate, unlatch it,
slide your hand along the rail and push it away. As the gate
opens, walk your horse forward a few steps at a time. Be sure
to open it wide enough so your horse and your knee don't get
hit. When the gate is open, keep hold of the end and walk your
horse around it to the other side and push the gate closed. Unless
your horse has a sidepass, you will have to walk forward to clear
the gate then back up to reach the latch.
Let your horse stand for a few seconds before moving off. For
your first few attempts, it might help to have your groundperson
hold the gate so you don't have to worry about the latch. That
is why you want your horse to be standing still, so you can eventually
work the latch without him moving away.
COMMON RIDER PROBLEMS
One of the main problems that occurs when working a gate is that
the horse will move away from it as soon as the rider leans over
to open it. Most often, this is not the horse's fault, but the
rider's. While leaning over, the rider presses his leg, the one
nearest the gate, into his horse's side, cueing the horse to
move away from the gate. Be aware of your leg. To avoid this,
try leaning from your waist, not on your stirrup.
Another major rider fault is dropping the reins and using both
hands to work the gate. Depending on the gate's latch, you may
need both hands, but never drop your reins or wrap them around
the saddle horn. This is extremely dangerous and if you are showing
in Trail class, you will loose lots of points. No matter what
type of obstacle you're working, never let go of your reins.
BEYOND THE BASICS
Once you have mastered the basics, try the other variations,
like backing through the gate.
Practice on a variety of gates. If you don't have a gate to work
with, one can be made by tying a rope between two poles. Secure
the rope to one pole, put a loop in the other end and slip it
over the second post. Make sure the loop is not tied with a slip
knot so if your horse pulls away, your hand won't get caught
in the rope.
For simple daily use, you don't need to be perfect, but the gate
is seen in almost every Trail class and to successfully work
it, you must be very precise.
In a class, don't rush through the gate. Relax and break each
move down to simple steps:
Ride up and position your horse.
Stand still and take a deep breath before reaching over and unlatching
the gate.
Slide your hand along the top of the gate and, as it opens, sidepass
your horse toward it.
When it is open wide enough, slide your hand along the rail as
your horse walks forward.
When the end of the gate is even with your knee, ask your horse
to turn on his forehand around the end of the gate so your knee
is again even with the end.
Now you should be in position to sidepass toward the gate, pushing
it closed.
Stand and latch the gate.
Remain standing, take a deep breath, then ride toward the next
obstacle.
Whether for use at home or improving your show ring skills, working
a gate is fun. Before you know it, you will not only be able
to easily navigate gates without dismounting, but will also have
developed a closer relationship with your horse.
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