Western
Intermediate
25 min
Spin Introduction at the Collected Trot
Focus: Precision, Responsiveness, Agility
Equipment: 4 cones or markers
Step-by-Step Instructions
- At the halt, ask the horse for a turn on the haunches to the right: left neck rein, right leg at the girth.
- The horse should pivot on the right hind leg while the front feet cross over in a 360-degree turn.
- Start with quarter-turns (90 degrees). Halt and reward.
- Build to half-turns (180 degrees), then full turns (360 degrees).
- The pivot foot (inside hind) should stay planted in one spot. The outside hind leg steps around it.
- Keep the turn at a collected collected trot tempo. Speed comes later, only after accuracy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The pivot foot walking a large circle instead of staying in one spot.
- The horse walking forward through the turn instead of pivoting.
- Using too much rein and not enough leg for the turn.
- Trying to spin fast before the horse understands the basic pivot.
Variations & Progressions
- Progress to spinning at the jog tempo for speed.
- Build to multiple revolutions: 2 spins, 3 spins, 4 spins.
- Practice spins in both directions for equal development.
Tip: A spin is just a fast turn on the haunches. If the horse can't do a slow, accurate pivot, don't add speed.
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