BRAKES by Sandi Simons ...or no brakes Being out of control and not being able to stop or go when riding is not only frustrating but also dangerous. here wouldn’t be many who would fancy the idea of getting into a car and discovering that there were no brakes, or that the car does not move off when putting their foot on the accelerator only to discover that the handbrake is on! Similarly, riding a horse that either has no brakes or has its handbrake on all the time and won’t go forward is not something most riders would appreciate! The result can be at the very least frustrating and exhausting, but it can also be catastrophic and dangerous. Over the series of articles published this year several topics have touched on the subject of training the horse to have better brakes - ‘Controlling the Horse’s Shoulder and Hip’ (Hoofbeats Vol 34 No 6), ‘Leg Control and Body Position’ (Vol 35 No 1) and ‘Hand Position and Control’ (Vol 35 No 2). All of these articles will help with training the horse in aspects of control so becoming familiar with them and keeping them in mind when reading this article, is recommended BRAKES ON OR OFF The lack of brakes in a horse, or the opposite situation of the handbrake seemingly always being on, is a training issue and may go right back to when a horse was started under saddle. It can however develop over time. For whatever reason, the problem exists and no matter how far back it goes it can be rectified. If a horse hasn’t been started properly, or if a rider hangs onto their horse’s mouth to balance, (usually inexperienced and unbalanced riders) then over time this can cause the horse to become dull to the rein cue. The same applies when a rider lacks the finesse and understanding of how to ride a horse into the contact and develop Continued To read more click to purchase this issue or subscribe. T