Day 3 - SCEA Rescue Horse - Disengaging the Hindquarters

Second Chance Equine Association - And the fun continues. In day 3 of the video series, we continue the desensitizing process and start to put control buttons and brakes on Fancy by teaching her to back up and disengaging her hindquarters. She also learns the sending exercise.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

I am a Clinton fan as well as many others. It's important to understand the principles involved in horse training. You then can combine different techniques to suite your own personality. Clinton has a nice clean effective style of teaching which makes it easy to understand.

[@angierushton4366]

I took my watch off... we’re on horse time. Love it! 💕

[@Bringholz]

Scott ! we did :) direction changes went great :) she also coming to me :) disengaging the hindquarters was a breeze for her and touched on yielding the forehand today , she did well for her first time on that again Thank you for posting

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@paintedpals YOU are a smart girl! Most things in life can't be fit into a simple black and white defined box. However I believe CA's method is a sound foundation to work from. By the way he does everything fast. Hopefully we'll have day 5 up next week.

[@pruephepip]

thanks for showing us that sending method! my horse did the same thing that filly did and today i got him to send and loung a few circles with just some pointing

[@CaseyHorses]

YOU LEGIT JUST SAVED MY SANITY! i never even though out the drive line ! my horse is a little shit head when i lunge him! hes alot bigger than her and a some bit older (4). but he plant, and when i say plants i mean PLANTS his forehand but i will certainly do the drive line thing ! thanks

[@Bringholz]

did a video response , hope you get it ;) this one I did just for you on my cellphone plastic bag session. Thanks to you we have come so far in such a little time frame :) Need to get tripod to show you the other excerises we been doing . Not bad for 2 Rookies :)

[@LotusReach]

Nice man. Lucky horse to have met him.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

That was fun to watch, you made me laugh with your comments. It's really hard to critique someone who is strapped to a video phone. She looks calm and relaxed. How ever you got to this point you did it well. Great job.

[@crystalbam8684]

This has helped me tremendously. Thank you!

[@Bringholz]

This was so helpful Thank you so much for posting ! I am getting the CA dvd's soon . I just rescued my girl and I am also a rookie and I got her to send out to the left but to the right she refuses and I did not know what to do . Your mare showed the same behaviour sending her to your right :)

[@callysto_ii]

wow she seems to be very smart! congratulation! i love your work ^^

[@GoldenLioness100]

Thank you for showing how to teach the horse that the crouched over posture means 'ass away, turn and face me' - it was the one thing I couldn't work out.

[@Bringholz]

Hi Scott just letting you know Destiny and I are doing very good . I need to make a little video of all the groundwork . Friend of mine is helping me with the work under saddle since I am still not a good rider but getting there taking lessons and doing well :)

[@amandamunson4999]

Thanks Scott. I am going to restart the ground training today. He does have a hurt spot on his back let but he has been walking on it fine and it has been scabbed over for over a week. I am going to use the fundamentals that you are using with Fancy with Sky my horse cause he is a rescue horse also and I don't really know all of his background of what had happened to him before I got him. I will keep you updated as we progress.

[@jenmisterpaz]

Today I am gonna work on day three with Mister. Just day one and day two were absolutely amazing. I have a totally different horse after just two days. I wish I knew how to record it and post it every day.

[@Bringholz]

Thank you for answering :) My rescue looks alot like your Fancy also a paint mare :) I do not have a round pen the stable she at had the idea to use one of the larger paddock's so tomorrow I will give it a go. I wish I would know as much as you she would get it in one session :)

[@tacetlupus2510]

I love that "We're on horse time" because nothing could be more true. It's all up to them. Wish you guys were around my area so I could work for ya'll too xD.

[@tacetlupus2510]

Also, when lunging and stuff... do you have any tips on NOT getting dizzy. After three circles or so I feel things start to spin.

[@emericsson9990]

aww she is a sweetheart!

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@jenmisterpaz Glad to be of service. The method works for any horse big or small, in your case very big! Get yourself a flip video and a stand so you can record yourself. Most can automatically upload to youtube. Thank you for sharing with me your success it makes its all worth while. Remember, U can do it.

[@ASLFrugalMom]

You must be a Clinton Anderson fan... Everything you're doing I see his fundamentals. :-)

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@416tayjay I don't think it's one particular object, it's just a natural reaction, sort of like when we flinch at something unexpected coming at us. It will go away after the horse learns it won't hurt them. They become "desensitized" to it. Just keep throwing things at your horse (that won't hurt it) until it's no big deal to him/her. Thx for the comment.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@diegoambrizify We need to be able to move all the different parts of the horse independently or in combination. The hindquarters is where all the power comes from so it's really important to be able to control it. When a horse steps across with it's back leg it throws the horse off balance and locks it up. It acts like a break when your undersaddle or on the ground. It's very important. Hope that helps.

[@amandamunson4999]

Hi Scott for the last four days after your replies I have been working with Sky and he seems to be considering me his leader in the round pen. I can't how ever get him to disengage his front quarters for me like you show in the video, so I am thinking he was never taught it before I got him. When i try it no matter what I do he stays in one play and won't more but everything else I have done so far he has done great.I am going to get a extra blanket for him this coming week & his hooves trimmed

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@Bringholz Yep, Lefty and Righty, we get 2 for 1 when we buy a horse. It's just the way they are hardwired. It follows the way their vision is. Each side can take in 180 degree field of vision so they see 360. Their brain seems parted down the middle and I think that is why you need to teach each side of the horse. Normally the near side is the side that people are always doing something to so they are more desensitized on that side. Have Fun!

[@jeannieelliott9703]

you are my hero:) (I was talking to the horse...) :)

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Also Amanda, you can move the horse's feet undersaddle. When he misbehaves make him sweat by disengaging his hindquarters or doing small circles or backing him up, anything that causes him to move his feet and work. Sooner or later he'll put it together, it's easier to behave than not. It's in his mind.

[@mrussell3264]

Thank you for explaining, I'm going to try working on mine with this method, cheers x

[@416tayjay]

@SecondChanceEquine And I promise I will post some videos of my horse once shes cured by using YOUR techniques. :)

[@luissantiago7978]

Thanks for the tip it worked!

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@KUCIRKA060102 Technically yes it is but in this case I want her to move away from me and she is backing up so I connect where I can. The cue to move forward on the ground is tapping on the withers, the neck at this point is the next best thing. As you can see it worked. Sometimes we have to color outside the lines. Hope that helps.

[@416tayjay]

@SecondChanceEquine Oh okay! Thanks so much!

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@Bringholz That's terrific! I be looking for your videos online!

[@yahamagirl160]

@paintedpals he only does that in dvd's. in real life he does go the horses pace.

[@hoianne121]

wauw

[@BabyGirlTaffy11]

Hey, thanks for all these videos, very helpful haha Im sitting with a notepad taking lot of notes and will try this my new mare in the holidays, shes a smart horse like Fancy. She wasnt abused but she sat in a paddock for ages and didnt trust anyone. Thankfully she put her trust in me and Im usually the only one she will allow to catch her etc, she is back into a snaffle and doesnt listen and takes age to stop, wondering if you have any tips to help her focus in and stop when I ask, thanks :)

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@paintedpals Yes I do. His method is easy to follow and produces great results. If you follow the videos of Fancy you'll see an enormous difference in her attitude and trust. Do you follow CA?

[@amandamunson4999]

I was wondering if you could tell me if a horse is crow hopping and spooking really easy and not showing respect all the time. Do I need to do more ground work than riding so that he stops and starts respecting more before working him from the saddle. Thanks for the help

[@meridianthehorse]

I am a beginner and have been researching what 'disengaging the hindquarters' means. I understand your definition-- I have come across that in my research today. But could give me a practical application of when you would use this undersaddle and/or on the ground, so it makes sense to me....? I appreciate it. Meridian

[@mrussell3264]

Great video, I don't understand why you had to tap the horse with the whip though as I felt she was turning without having to actually be tapped with it,I know you weren't hurting her, I just felt another 30 seconds and she would have turned without being tapped, could you please explain? Cheers

[@SecondChanceEquine]

If you notice in the video where I am teaching Fancy the sending exercise, you can hear me breathing pretty good. That is because there was quite a few "30 more seconds" going on where she was just not getting it. So I added the next level of pressure by tapping her lightly with the stick to help clarify in her mind what direction I wanted her to go. I used it as a block. I wanted her to know that backing up was not the direction she needed to go in. Once she moved out in the correct direction she figured it out pretty quick.

[@mrussell3264]

Thank you for your response, I understand better now, you do great work x

[@susywaldman9052]

I rescued an old horse, she's good with the desensitizing and does round pen basics, but she will not turn and face me . What can I do?

[@416tayjay]

I have a question (since I am quite new with your techniques) My horse does the same thing if something gets caught on his back legs. He dosnt buck or anything. He normally humps his rear. Is there like a certain object that makes Fancy and my horse do that?

[@diegoambrizify]

Hello, I wondering can you explain the concept or reason behind disengaging the hindquarters?

[@flauschiblue7388]

Dear Mr. Downs, I've got a question. The location I'm riding at is built for classic english training, so I don't have a Roundpen to work in. I started leading with the 8year old school horse I'm riding, and he's doing great. But I still don't have his full trust, he also sometimes is afraid of following me. I'd love to try out your method, but I don't know which length of rope to use and where to train, as we don't have a Roundpen. Could you maybe tell me, whaz exercises I should try doing with him, and also how long your rope is, what tools you are using and where it would be best to train ? I would be very thankful for a response, Blue ...

[@SecondChanceEquine]

+flauschi Blue My lead ropes are 15 foot 5/8 samson rope. You can get one at YKNOT.com or the Downunder Horsemanship website. I am working with a horse at a traditional english barn as well and they do not have a round pen either. On one end of the arena I put barrels in the 2 corners of their indoor arena and fenced off with caution tape using their poles they use for jumps a semi circle meg-shift fence to create a round pen. This works IF your horse respects the fence. The barrels help to keep the horse from getting stuck in a corner.

[@flauschiblue7388]

Thank you very much, this helped me a lot ... I think he schould be used to the caution tape, the horses' paddocks are fenced with it ... He only might see the tape as a jump if I use poles ( he loves jumping ), so could I use big barrels instead ?

[@SecondChanceEquine]

@diegoambrizify I mean "brake". OOPS!

[@juanbernardoal]

Hello Mr. Downs I have been working on a 3 years old stallion, using your method as you did with fancy, the issue is that today its day 4 part 2 but I has been imposible to teach my stallion to disengage the both quarters (hind and fore). I encourage the horse as you show on your video making pression on the hips for the Hind quarters but all what he do its run away from me as in the sending exercise. With the fore quarters the horse start to spin but moving its whole body (hands and legs two steps with the hands and two more with its legs to correct its position. I would like to improve this aspect of my horsemanship, I know that just telling you by this way is imposible for you to see the whole picture. but maybe can you give me some advice. PD: The rest of the tasks have been successfully reached. Your friend from Venezuela Juan B

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Hi Juan. Here is a link you can go to and watch a video on disengaging the hind quarters which is much better than mine. My videos where simply meant to show Fancy's progress not really a training video. myhorse.com/blogs/horse-trainers/clinton-anderson/hindquarters-control-with-top-horse-trainer-clinton-anderson/

[@charlottebakker3160]

Hello mr Downs I have a question: I bought my own horse a week ago and started to do some groundwork. I started in the roundpen and she did it well, but when I started lunging for respect she began kicking at me. How do I solve this problem?

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Hi Charlotte, your horse is throwing a little tantrum. If you stop lunging her because she is kicking you will be teaching her all she has to do to get out of working is to kick out. That would not be a good thing. When you horse kicks out don't get upset or angry simply make it very uncomfortable for her. Spank the air or spank the horse if you have too and REALLY GET AFTER HER. Note: only discipline her bad behavior as soon as she stops misbehaving take the pressure off or away. Be very black and white with what you expect from her. Make her really work when she sports that bad attitude. Your horse will soon realize that kicking out is NOT acceptable behavior and it is much easier to be nice. Be safe, if you don't feel comfortable schooling your horse find someone who can do it for you. This behavior can be fixed quickly. Good luck.

[@charlottebakker3160]

Thank youScott Downs

[@EelevenOne]

forgive my ignorance. I'm a bit confused on what the key is in Disengaging the hindquarters. It kind of looks to me like you're just making her run? I guess I don't know if I understand the difference between today and day 1. Did you introduce stopping/going "language" in day 1 but the lesson was getting her to move her feet/respect/coming in. And today the lesson is stopping and going on "command"? Am I understanding that?

[@KUCIRKA060102]

Can you explain the purpose behind tapping her with the stick when asking her to back and then to move out ? Specifically at 6;40 where you tap her repeatedly on the neck. Wouldn't her neck be considered in front of the drive line? Why not tap her on the hip ? I am in no way trying to imply what your doing is wrong, I just want to understand the training/method better. Thanks!!

[@kurakelly9846]

This is the method of Clinton Anderson training

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Pretty much, the principles are the same in most all natural horsemanship no matter who is teaching it. You can custom your cues to whatever you're comfortable with as long as you stay within the principles.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Double pad him. The background of the horse doesn't matter. They live in the present, right now and will do whatever it takes to get thru the day. That's why you can erase bad habits and create new ones. Good luck.

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Pain, fear and disrespect attribute to bad behavior. Make sure there is nothing causing him pain with the saddle. If the horse is simply disrespectful I personally would take him back to the beginning and establish who's who in the pecking order on the ground. I have had horses good on the ground but bad under saddle. The battle ground is in the horse's mind. We win it thru moving their feet on or off their backs.Understand if you don't do the exercises correctly it won't help. Work & reward.

[@Bringholz]

I video tape myself working with Destiny and send you the link , I am sure I am doing some mistakes would be grateful if you would point them out to me :)

[@luissantiago7978]

My horse will lunge her ass off but won't disengage quarters

[@luissantiago7978]

My horse will lunge her ass off but won't disengage quarters

[@SecondChanceEquine]

Note where my body position is. I am inside next to her shoulder. My hand with the lead is keeping her nose tucked into me therefore she can not move forward. If she can't move forward she can't lunge. Stay beside the shoulder, shorten your lead shank so she can't walk off (keep if lifted up) and focus on the hip.