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Q&A for How to Control and Steer a Horse Using Your Seat and Legs

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How do I read a horse's body language?

Kathy Richardson
Certified Horsemanship Instructor
Kathy Richardson is a Certified Horsemanship Instructor and the Owner of the Rusty Bar Ranch in Roy, Washington. With over 40 years of industry experience, Kathy runs a 30-acre licensed facility where she teaches lessons and clinics related to horse care and health. Kathy has been a Certified Horsemanship Association instructor since 2008. She is also a Horse Agility accredited trainer and judge, an Equine Trail Sports judge, and holds a Western Dressage Association of America Trainer Certificate. Kathy is the owner of the only riding simulator in the Northwest, a Wonder Horse named Sheena, that is trained in dressage and is also used to teach Western lessons. Her lessons are rooted in her belief that successfully communicating with horses requires building a strong relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Kathy was named the 2021 Certified Horsemanship Instructor of the Year.

Kathy Richardson

Certified Horsemanship Instructor

Expert Answer

Start by observing the horse in a relaxed space, like a round pen or their natural habitat. Then pay close attention to their body language—are they staying close to you or keeping their distance to understand their comfort level. Watch out for signs like wrinkles above their eyelids, tight skin, or a hard, rigid stance, which can mean nervousness. And don't force interactions or commands; let the horse build trust gradually.

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Question

What do I do if my horse doesn't stop and keeps going?

Community Answer

First, lean back and signal your horse with your lower body language. If it doesn't respond, gently pull the reins back, increasing the pressure until it stops.

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Question

I didn't understand how to steer him with my legs, if I use my inside leg on my left and give him a nudge is he going to go that way?

Community Answer

No, if he is trained correctly he should yield to your leg and move the opposite way.

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Question

How do I get a horse to stop?

Community Answer

Take a deep breath and relax your muscles, particularly in your seat. Lean back slightly and apply gentle (but constant) pressure to the reins. You can also use the verbal cue of "whoa." If the horse is out of control and an emergency stop is necessary, gather one rein very tightly and pull out and away from the horse's neck. This will cause the horse to follow his head and spin in a circle. This can often cause riders to lose their balance and fall, but the horse's speed will have been decreased which could prevent the fall from being as damaging. Some horses are also trained to stop if you pull up on their breastplate as an emergency measure.

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Question

What's a crop?

Community Answer

A crop is a small stiff whip used to get a horse's attention.

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Question

How do I tell it to speed up?

Community Answer

Most horses are trained to start moving or to go faster with leg pressure. Start by gently squeezing the horse's sides with both heels. If he doesn't respond, you can try gently kicking his side or using a crop/ whip on the horse's shoulder or near the girth area.

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Question

What word is used when commanding your horse to turn right?

Community Answer

Just try pulling the reins on the right -- it should work. That is how most people do it.

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Question

What do I do when the horse is pulling his neck down?

Community Answer

Try not to let your arms be pulled down as well. If you can keep your arms firmly in place, a lot of times the horse will put his head up again. If needed, you can try to pull it back up, but sometimes that causes the horse to rear.

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Question

What if the horse does not move even though I kick him and smack him?

Community Answer

Press your legs firmly on the horse and don't take them off until you get a reaction. A crop is good, but don't hit the horse repeatedly. Instead, give the horse a firm smack, then wait, and if they still don't go, do it again. If you still can't get them to go you might want to consider spurs.

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Question

Do we just squeeze the opposite side you want it to turn?

Dollyxruby

Community Answer

If you want to turn, just pull the reins slightly whichever way you want to turn.

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Question

How do you get your horse to halt?

Amie

Community Answer

Pull back on the reins, and lean back. Some horses respond to commands like "woah," as well.

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