Training Tip of the Week: Sidepass for overall body control

Make the most of your horse’s natural athletic ability by teaching him to sidepass. Moving your horse sideways off of your leg helps to free up his ribcage, shoulders and hindquarters. It teaches him to move his feet in a rhythmic, even way, without using his hindquarters for forward impulsion, and it helps him learn to keep his shoulders, ribcage and hindquarters aligned. It’ll also help you upgrade to power steering – making your horse more easily maneuverable on the trail, around cattle, in traffic or when negotiating tight turns – including those needed when going through a gate.

When people watch me sidepass Diez on tour during the advanced riding demo, they often wonder how he’s able to master the footwork to step sideways while staying relaxed and collected. There’s really no secret – if you take your horse through the Method, starting at the very beginning, teaching him to move laterally off of your leg is a natural progression.