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Spinning is an exciting and rewarding skill for both horse and rider. It’s more than just a flashy move—it demonstrates precision, control, and harmony. In this post, we’ll dive into the art of spinning and explore how to get your horse spinning smoothly and efficiently, all while minimizing effort on your part.
The Goal: Set It and Forget It
One of the most critical aspects of horsemanship is teaching your horse to keep performing an action without constant input from you. Spinning is no exception. Your horse should be able to continue spinning until you ask them to stop, without needing to pull or push them through each step.
Building the Foundation
Before diving into spins, set your horse up for success with groundwork and preparatory exercises. Begin with small circles to establish consistency and control.
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Use Your Inside Hand: Keep your inside hand slightly higher to maintain the horse’s shoulder position.
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Focus on Smooth Trot Circles: The faster and more consistent your horse can trot a small circle, the better they’ll spin. Smoothness and rhythm are key here.
Remember, horses tend to focus on what they’ve been working on recently. If you’ve been working on quietness, they’ll aim for calmness. If you’ve been cantering, they’ll lean towards speed. Transitioning between disciplines can take time and patience.
Steps to Start the Spin
Once your horse is comfortable with trot circles, you can begin introducing the spin.
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Ask for a Small Pivot:
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Start with a small circle and gradually tighten it.
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Use your inside leg to guide your horse’s movement, while keeping the outside leg further back to control the hindquarters.
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Encourage Independent Movement:
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Pick up the reins only when your horse slows down or loses form.
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Reward your horse when they maintain revolutions on their own. Even a half-revolution without prompting is a step in the right direction.
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Maintain Correct Positioning:
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Sit back, round your lower back, and apply weight to your inside stirrup.
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Keep your outside leg positioned near the horse’s hip to prevent their hindquarters from swinging out.
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Efficiency is Key
Efficiency is the cornerstone of a great spin. The more effortless the movement, the easier it is to add speed and energy later. Avoid the habit of over-pressuring your horse—this only creates resistance and limits progress. Instead, focus on:
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Smooth Transitions: Teach your horse to associate specific body cues with the spin.
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Consistency: Use the same setup and body posture every time.
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Gradual Progress: Allow your horse to get comfortable and efficient before adding speed.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Spinning can be challenging, but avoiding these common mistakes will set you on the right path:
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Over-Relying on Reins: Don’t pull your horse through the spin. Instead, let them learn to carry themselves.
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Rushing the Process: Spinning takes time to master. Work in short, focused sessions (5-10 minutes daily) to build comfort and efficiency.
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Ignoring Positioning: Always maintain correct rider positioning to support your horse’s movement.
Advancing to Performance Spins
Once your horse is spinning consistently and comfortably, you can begin refining their performance.
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Increase Cadence: Use a light, rhythmic cue like clicking to encourage faster, more precise revolutions.
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Prevent Forward Movement: Ensure your horse isn’t “blasting forward” during the spin. If they do, go back to basics.
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Focus on Daily Practice: Spinning, like running, becomes easier and more natural with consistent practice. Over time, your horse will develop strength, balance, and speed.
Conclusion
Mastering the spin is all about patience, consistency, and communication. By teaching your horse to spin independently, you’ll build a foundation of trust and responsiveness that will benefit all aspects of your riding. Remember, the goal is to set it and forget it—ask once, and let your horse carry on the task until told otherwise.
With just 5-10 minutes of practice a day, you’ll be amazed at how handy and efficient your horse becomes. So get out there, start spinning, and have fun riding your horse again!
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