Western Pleasure

How would you go about training a horse for western pleasure?
I think my new horse I got would do terrific at it on playdays
After she has alot of riding done. I never done it before and
Need some tips and suggestions.

What all do you have to do normally?
The walk, trot, lope, reverse?

I know your judged on how well your horse listens to
You and obeys your commands.

Yes, it is judged on how well horse and rider communicate. It is also based on which horse has the smoothes transitions and who looks the most relaxing to ride. All your gaits should be as slow s you can get your horse to do them with out being on his mouth at all. The reverse is big to. Judges don't really like to see a turn on the haunches. Your reverse should stay a circle. Also your horses head should be even with his withers at all times! It is very impotant that the horse be very relaxed. Also you do backing up! The gaits of western pleasure are walk your horses please, jog your horses please, lope your horses please, stop your horses please, reverse your horses please, back your horses please. Good Luck!!

There is a lot of little picky things as well. I would suggest going to a local show to watch and/or talking to an expierenced rider that does it. It is tough to just jump in and do it without the basic knowledge.

Angel, I know someone personally that does it. I'm just trying to
Take it one step at a time and practice on playdays, the local
show is a LONG way away! :P

Dolly, thanks for the tips!

I meant to just go watch and observe

Thats what youtube is for, LOL! :P

I would start on collection... work on the stop... western pleasure is really really hard... for me anyway... that's why I am so dependent on my trainer right now, it's so hard to forget the english... especially since we flip-flop at the shows... we do QH style western and english but then we also hit the local hunt shows....

STG- I also plan on doin western pleasure, of course that's going to be awhile sense I don't have a horse at the moment. Although I believe I will definantly have one SOON! Just got to save up abit more money.

So you and me are going to be in the same boat :P umm horse that is! Lol

Work on getting your horse to listen to you very well. Work on your cues and stops and all that jazz. Work on neck reining as well. And pivots. And equitation.

Gonna be awhile for me too, ya know just working with the horse
And so forth. I hope you get your horse soon, Brandon!

Let me know how it goes when you start doing it!

Harlee, thanks for the tips, I will try working with her on that!