Training Tip: The Lightest Amount of Pressure

If a horse can feel a fly land on his hindquarters, he can certainly feel you picking up on the rein or lead rope, squeezing with your legs or sitting deeper in the saddle. No matter what you’re asking the horse to do, always ask with the lightest amount of pressure possible. Even if you know he isn’t going to respond correctly at first, you still need to give him the benefit of the doubt by asking lightly if he ignores you, then you’ll gradually increase the amount of pressure until he responds correctly. Ask him, and then tell him. One day when you ask him, there will be no need to tell him.