This lesson is used as another tool for you to utilize in the emotional training of your horse.
When you see horses out in pasture grazing or relaxing, where is the position of their head? It is always below the withers. Then you notice that something has attracted their attention and bam – up pops the head as quickly as those music boxes “pop go the weasel”.

     The same thing happens out on trail – you can be riding along and one minute your horse is calm, then all of a sudden, up pops his head – he is looking for something to spook at. The 2nd body part to move will be his feet. By teaching your horse the Calm Down Cue, your horse will lower his head when asked to the desired elevation by taking the slack out of one rein – not pulling on the rein, but taking the slack out, and he will do so in all different environments at all different gaits. This cue has helped me calm my horse in a variety of environments when confronted with a variety of situations and adds to his foundation of being a safer horse to ride.

     I generally teach my horse what I can from the ground first and with the bridle. This gives him an idea and makes training once in the saddle a cinch.

     Stand to the left side of your horse facing the same direction as he is. Stand back towards his shoulder. With your left hand pick-up the rein and take the slack out in an upward motion. When you have taken the slack out, hold. Now, remember to release the rein at the slightest try on your horse’s part to lower his head – the slightest try may be a thought at this point. Not releasing when you get the desired response as soon as your horse makes an effort is just as ineffective as releasing too soon. As soon as you recognize any form of attempt – give him praise.

What happens if he raises his head?
     Continue to take the slack out until he makes any attempt at lowering his head. So your hand will increase in height with his head. At first he will make a guess as to what you want – he will understand what you are asking by the release. So, if you release when he raises his head – he will think that is what you want. You need to keep the slack out of the rein until you get any downward motion.

What happens if begins to walk off?
     Walk with your horse and continue to keep the slack out of the rein until he makes any attempt at lowering his head, release, then take the slack out again and disengage his hips until he stops his forward motion and begin again.

     What happens when he lowers his head, I release and he immediately raises his head again?
This is normal – ask again. You will have to do many repetitions until your horse understands what you are asking, lowers his head and maintains the elevation you would like him to have.

     What happens when I take the slack out of the rein, my horse turns his head towards me?
You do want to correct this – you want him to lower his head, not turn towards you. You’ll correct this by moving your rein hand so that it is above the neck but just about 1’ behind the poll. Do not take the slack out but loosen your grip a bit as you lay the rein against his neck to push is head back to the forward position. When he moves his head back to the forward position, release the rein from his neck, but continue to hold the slack out of the rein until he makes any attempt at lowering his head.

What if my horse starts to fall asleep?
     Increase the pressure in the rein. Hold firmly and wait. If still no response, gradually increase the pressure until you get a response. Be patient. No jerking or pulling.

     When you are getting a consistent response and a definite change in elevation – from 5’ to 4’ and your horse is leaving his head there – give him a break – let him soak for a bit and praise him.

     Begin the whole process on the right side. Remember, new side, new horse. You will most likely need to start from the beginning again.

     You will continue these steps until he lowers his head to the ground. Anytime your horse has lowered his head, makes a definite change in elevation and does not raise his head, praise him and give him a break. When he does so consistently on the left and right side, add movement. Ask for forward motion at a walk and as you walk along with your horse go through the same steps. It will take a bit to get the nose to the ground when h is walking. This is normal because anytime you add a speed change adds distraction to his attention. Continue the lesson while walking next to the horse’s side. When you get the consistent desired response on the left side, repeat on the right.
Then change location. Practice the calm down cue at different locations. The goal is to get your horse to lower his head when you ask him to at a stand still, a walk and in different environments. When you can get your horse to lower his head upon request in a variety of situations, then repeat all the steps from the saddle.