I can’t tell you how many times I have heard Pat Parelli say: “The better your horse goes backwards & sideways, the better he does everything else!”

Backing and going sideways is asking for a good quality yield from our horses. Yields are what give us communication so really your horse’s yields can’t ever be good enough! Except if your horse is Magic who is not only black and beautiful but also yields to the thought of her rider.

Ok, ok, I do admit it—I have a horse crush on Pat Parelli’s SuperHorse Magic! In case you hadn’t noticed… 😉

So, I’d like to challenge you by asking your horse to get really good at backing and going sideways. Like I mentioned earlier, the better your horse goes backwards & sideways, the better he will be riding, in the arena or on a trail!

• Can you ask your horse to YoYo 22ft?
• Can you ask your horse to YoYo 45ft?
• What part of the YoYo is easier: the drive or the draw?
• Will he respond at Phase 1 or 2?
• How about the sideways? Can your horse go sideways without a fence or rail?
• Can you ask your horse to go sideways fast, at a trot or canter?

 
If you get to where you are to ask your horse for more effort in the Sideways Game, make sure you are at least on a 22ft rope for the trot and on a 45ft rope for the canter!

And remember to do in your body what your asking your horse to do in his!