Can someone point me to a Lesson, Here at the Uni, that teaches how to open and close a gate on Horseback.
All my years of riding I have never mastered this skill. My doctor says I never will be able to do it. I would like to Watch a lessen and give it another go. Never hurts to keep trying. All the horses I have trained could open and close gates with a different rider. The theory is it is a balance or muscle issue with me. There has got to be a way for me to do this.
I am going on the theory that if I go through the motions while on the ground with my horse in hand it would help both of us when the day comes that I am riding him through the gate.
Hi Amberpony
Here's some links on working a gate, these might be useful for you. Have you tried a rope gate? that's easier to handle for a lot of people than a regular type of gate. I practised going through the movements while on the ground by myself, and that did help with 'muscle memory'. I think it builds in some safety as well, to have it really well rehearsed before the horse gets involved! When I tried leading the horse from the ground though I thought it confused matters because the movements weren't exactly the same as when I ride through the gate.
Regular Gate video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jIxtaqAdHk
Rope Gate video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry_CdEmZ9Bw&feature=related
Photos and description, regular gate
http://www.westerntrainingonline.co.uk/10701/11001.html
Best of luck with your new skill!
Opening gates that have relatively easy latches is not at all hard from horseback but you do need to have fairly good balance and to be able to bend your upper body and head down without getting dizzy. A horse will learn how to do it pretty quickly and I have taught all the horses I have owned to do this as it is so handy especially if you live on a property where there are numerous gates to negotiate. The most important requirement for the horse is that it will stand still when you ask it to. With the horse facing towards the corner post where the latch is move your horse in as close as you can to the post and ask it to stand still for you. The horses shoulder should be close to the post so that you can easily reach the latch. Holding your reins in the hand furthest from the gate you then lean over and unclip the latch with the hand closest to the gate. If the latch is difficult then you may also have to use the hand holding the reins to help you or if your horse is really good trust it to stand still with its reins loose on its neck where you can easily reach them. Never put your arms through the reins. Once the latch is undone you can either teach your horse to help you open the gate by pushing on the gate with its chest or just use your hand to push the gate open as you ask your horse to move through. Once through semi-circle your horse to the opposite side of the gate and have your horse or you push it back into position then again move your horse up against the gate and as close as you can to the latch post and then bend over and replace the latch. Sounds easy doesn't it and with practice it is! Don't try to open gates that are not swung properly from your horse as they are very difficult and heavy to lift up off your horse and you could injure your horses legs if you attempt to do so. For these gates you will have to dismount. I don't know of a video which shows you how to do this but someone else may.
Things for the suggestions.
It seems that after all these years the latching of the gate after I get it closed is the biggest problem. But then I have that problem on the ground by myself.
Yes Maggie it is very helpful to have a horse that stands and waits while you bend over and use to hands on the latch. It is pretty embarrassing when the horse tries to latch the gate because it's rider can't. ;o)
Mmmm - our horses do learn quickly and one of mine became such an expert that he could unlach and open most gates himself - not very desirable when agisted and the main reason why we ended up buying our own few acres for him! I guess my answer was somewhat simplistic as opening and closing gates from horse back is so automatic for me. Yes it is difficult if the latch is awkward as you will then need both hands and your horse may get restless too. My previous response only applied to gates that open away from you too - if the gate opens towards you and your horse then your horse needs to know how to back up. Unlach the gate hold the gate at the top close to its vertical edge with the hand nearest the gate, back your horse still holding the gate, when the gate is open ask your horse to move throug it while you retain your hand on the gate as the horse semi circles then you need to swap your hands over fairly quickly so the gate does not swimg wide and pull it closed. However from what you have said above you can open and close the gates alright from a horse it is just the undoing and doing up of the latch that causes you a problem and if this is the case anyone would have problems with it. I went out and opened and closed my shed gate on foot after reading yours and Gillian's posts and as Gillian says this is the best way to practice but try doing it all only with one hand and swap your hands over when necessary. Gillian's idea of a rope latch is good as it is easy to open but most intelligent horses will quickly find out how easy it is to open too!
Thank you Gillian for the links, they are very helpful. ;o)
Big Bonus is that they helped me remember why I do so many of the things I do. Most importantly knowing that making my horse take his time is a good base.
The first link is was very helpful in the aspect of I need to figure out how to compensate to do those things that get the horse smoothly around to latch the gate.
The last link with the written lesson broke the process down into manageable pieces. Not to mention the explanation of way you operate the gate in that fashion in a trail class. The why always makes it easier to understand the how.
The information Gillian shared is Great for those learning to operate gates in the Show & Barn World. Maggie's written instructions is closer to my world of practical gates you find around the country side or on the trail.
Amazing How Quickly you covered both worlds.