Lecture Notes: The Stop Response in Horse Training

Presenter

• Jodie Hartstone
  • Grand Prix dressage rider
  • Proponent of academic horse training

Key Concepts

The Four Fundamental Responses

• Go
• Stop
• Turn
• Yield

Focus on Stop Response

• Negative Reinforcement
  • Removing rein pressure as a reward for the correct response

Understanding the Stop Response

• Rein Functions for Deceleration
  • Slowing down from rein pressure
  • Stepping back and stopping from rein pressure
  • Shortening stride
  • Downward transitions

Key Points

• Reins are used for deceleration
• Legs are used for acceleration
• Horses cannot process two signals at once

Demonstration of Stop Response

• Stop from Rein Pressure
  • Apply pressure to horse's mouth
  • Release pressure immediately when the horse stops all four legs
• Stepping Back
  • Apply pressure from a halt
  • Transition from walk into two steps of reverse
  • Improves lightness and obedience to rein signals
• Shortening Stride
  • Use a rhythmic "woo-give" until the horse walks with small steps
  • Slow stride with a long "woo" without halting

Training Principle

• Negative Reinforcement
  • Pressure motivates
  • Release of pressure trains

Outcome

• When mastered, the horse will be light and obedient in the mouth to the rein signals

Conclusion

• Thanks given by Jodie Hartstone
• Episode brought by Fibre Fresh
• Encouragement to watch future episodes of Equine TV