Side Passing my filly.

Question
Hello, i have a 4 year old paint filly that i've trained her everything she has been taught. I saddle broke her at Age 2, and got on her April of 2005. I've done Weastern Preformance, Halter, Showmanship.. also Team Penning + Cattle sorting on her. Barrel racing is just around the corner, for she's showing great interest and skill in the sport.
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I am 15, and have been working with horses since i could walk,i've trained horses for trail riding farms, and experienced many training situations and learnt alot for my age in my opinion. I've been rodeoing for 2 years, and barrel racing for 4. Before i did Jumpers, and hunters. along with 2 years of Dressage lessons and colt working lessons with a prof. trainer.

ANWYAYS, i've been trying to get Skye to side pass latley.
I move her up to a fence, and ask for a slight collection of her head, and push her over (on the growd) using specific cues asking her to move over. When she leans her weight properly and takes a step sideways i praise her.. Latley i've been trying to ask her to move both ways, but she gets frusterated and totally refuses to do it.
I've been avoiding this with her, because i know its an unpopular subject with her. I'd really like to do some trail, this season, and how could i get her to relax and just step sideways? I can only ever get her to move to the right without a fuss. Is there any other way i could approach this issue?


Answer
You said that Skye will bend her head in the appropriate direction first and then take a step to the side. That is good.

You need to be riding Skye when you teach her this. You have limited control of her on the ground and that is not helping.

The first question I have is: Will she move both ways seperatley? Can you walk to the fence, move her laterally to the left then praise her, circle her around re-approach the fence and then ask her to move to the right?

If so, then she does not have a side preference /issue.

If not, and you find she has an issue moving to one side... you will need to address that first.

So, how does Skye refuse to do it? Does she become angry, overwhelmed, frightened or confused?

Being able to tell the emotion your horse is having of is the most important key to fixing a problem.

If she is angry you will have to back off and then try with slightly more force to your aids.  Pushing her through her resisitance until she does it and finds out "Hey, this isn't so bad!"

If she is overwhelmed , frightened or confused you may find it beneficial to have a knowledgable helper on the ground (while you arre still in the saddle) to help "guide" her in the intended direction and then reward her with her favorite treat. Food works wonders on young horses. Don't ever discount it.

The important thing to remember is to ask her to do it same way everytime AFTER you have had her do it once correctly. And keep rewarding her with praise and food.  Then, only give her a treat every other time she does it right.  Then, every third time and so on.  But, always praise her with your voice and a pat. This will get her to keep doing it because food is coming, she just doesn't know when.  Then, your praise will become more important than the food.

It may be ugly in the beginning, but if she is on the right track....keep doing it till it all smoothes out and is exactly what you want!!

Good Luck and Have Fun!!