The turning of a horse denotes a solution of the changes used to improve the efficiency, style, attitude and good habits of the horse in order to achieve the best performance in any work or competition. With horse turning, the horse is trained in order to make the horse more proficient at the art of navigating around a variety of obstacles, such as barrels, fences and jumps. The horse needs to be careful and possess good balance while negotiating obstacles. The horse turning process involves repetition and constant reinforcement, as it is important to let the horse learn the choreography of the drill.
Horse turning is a great way to train the horse for all sorts of equestrian competitions, from hunter-jumper and dressage, to reining and cutting competitions. In dressage, for instance, horse turning is essential for performing a intricate series of movements, such as an extended trot, canter and cornering. During dressage tests, circles, loops and serpentines are used to challenge the horses agility, balance and straightness.
In hunter-jumper competitions, horse turning is important in order to create an flawless line from the fence to the opposite side of the arena, while showing good balance and fluidity. The installation of fences is a mechanism to prompt the rider to use proper horse turning to safely and quickly navigate their horse. A perfectly executed turn can add a lot of value to their overall score.
In reining competitions, horse turning is one of the most essential components of the sport. In the reining pattern, horse turning is all about accuracy and timing, as the horse needs to execute each turn and maneuver precisely in order to make the transition from one step to the next. All of the spins and circles need to be done with great precision and should be timed identically every time.
In cutting competitions, good horse turning is also important, as the cow needs to be stopped accurately and securely in order to separate it from the herd. In addition, the horse needs to have good control and pay close attention to the animal in order to know when to adjust its turn to keep it in view.
Horse turning is an important component of horsemanship, as it requires a lot of balance, control, finesse and confidence from both the horse and the rider. Proper training and practice can go a long way towards ensuring success. For riders of all levels, it is important to gain proficiency with holding form, as well as executing angles and turns, before entering into any competition. The horse needs to understand the commands and cues from the rider in order to perform the exercises correctly and consistently. In turn, the rider should remain patient with the horse and provide positive reinforcement when the horse makes progress. With hard work and dedication from both horse and rider, horse turning can become a winning part of their equestrian winning routine.
