The side pass is more than just a fancy maneuver; it’s a fundamental movement that signifies a deep level of communication, suppleness, and control between horse and rider. Mastering the art of Training A Horse To Side Pass unlocks new levels of athleticism and responsiveness, making your horse a more versatile and enjoyable partner for any discipline. Whether you’re opening a gate from the saddle, navigating a tricky trail, or refining your dressage movements, the side pass is an indispensable skill that builds on a foundation of trust and clear aids.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps, from foundational groundwork to the finished, fluid movement under saddle. We’ll explore the “why” behind the maneuver and troubleshoot common issues, setting you up for success. While the process requires patience, the reward is a lighter, more agile horse that is truly in tune with your cues. This journey is a testament to good horsemanship, elevating your skills beyond that of a casual hobby horse trainer.
Why is the Side Pass an Essential Skill?
Before diving into the “how,” it’s crucial to understand the “why.” The side pass isn’t just a trick; it’s a gymnastic exercise with profound benefits for both horse and rider. It serves as a cornerstone for more advanced training and practical, everyday applications.
- Enhances Suppleness and Agility: The side pass requires the horse to move its body laterally, engaging and strengthening its core, back, and hip muscles. This gymnastic quality improves overall body control and flexibility.
- Improves Rider’s Aids and Feel: Successfully teaching the side pass forces the rider to refine their leg, seat, and rein cues. You learn to isolate parts of your body to give precise, subtle signals, which translates to better communication in all other aspects of riding.
- Builds Responsiveness to Leg Pressure: The maneuver is a masterclass in teaching a horse to move away from leg pressure. This responsiveness is the foundation for collection, lead changes, and other lateral movements.
- Practical Applications: From the show ring to the trail, the side pass is incredibly useful. Use it to open and close gates, move alongside a mounting block, navigate tight spaces, or align perfectly for an obstacle. In disciplines like reining and cutting, it’s a required and scored movement, highlighting its importance in high-level competition. For those interested in specialized disciplines, understanding such lateral movements is a gateway to more complex skills, similar to what one might see in cutting horse training online.
Foundational Skills: Before You Begin
Jumping straight into teaching the side pass without the proper foundation is a recipe for frustration. A horse must first understand the basic concept of yielding to pressure. If your horse doesn’t move away from a direct, steady pressure, it will be confused by the more nuanced cues of the side pass.
The Cornerstone: Yielding to Pressure
The most critical prerequisite is teaching the horse to yield its hindquarters and forequarters separately from both the ground and the saddle.
- Yielding the Hindquarters: The horse should step its inside hind leg over and in front of its outside hind leg, pivoting on its front feet.
- Yielding the Forequarters: The horse should step its inside front leg over and in front of its outside front leg, pivoting on its hind feet.
These exercises isolate the two halves of the horse, teaching them to respond to pressure on specific parts of their body. Only when your horse can perform these two movements reliably and lightly are you ready to combine them into a full side pass. A strong foundation in this area is a key element of any successful groundwork training for your horse.
How to Teach the Side Pass from the Ground
Starting on the ground removes the complexity of the rider’s weight and aids, allowing the horse to focus solely on the request. The fence is your best friend in this initial stage, as it prevents the horse from moving forward and encourages lateral movement.
Step-by-Step Groundwork
- Position Your Horse: Stand your horse parallel to a solid, safe fence. This acts as a natural barrier.
- Ask for the Hindquarters: Stand near your horse’s shoulder, facing their side. Using a dressage whip or the end of a lead rope, apply rhythmic taps or pressure to the flank area where your leg would be. The moment the horse takes a step sideways with its hind legs, crossing them over, release the pressure and praise them.
- Ask for the Forequarters: Next, apply rhythmic pressure to the shoulder or girth area. As soon as the horse steps its front legs sideways, release and reward.
- Combine the Movements: Begin to alternate your cues, asking for a step from the hindquarters, then a step from the forequarters. The goal is to smooth out the transition so it’s less of a two-part pivot and more of a simultaneous movement.
- Look for Rhythm: As the horse understands, you can start asking for two or three consecutive steps. Reward any attempt where the horse moves laterally in a smooth, rhythmic fashion. Keep sessions short and positive to build confidence.
Training a Horse to Side Pass from the Saddle
Once your horse understands the concept on the ground, you can transition to the saddle. Remember to use the fence as a guide initially. The goal is to transfer the cues from your groundwork tools to your legs and reins.
Step 1: Positioning and Initial Cues
Position your horse parallel to the fence, just as you did on the ground. Leave a few feet of space so they have room to move. Sit tall and balanced, ensuring your weight is centered. Ask your horse to stand still and relax before you begin. A tense horse cannot learn effectively.
Step 2: Applying Leg and Rein Aids
Let’s assume you want to side pass to the right.
- Left Leg (The “Go” Button): Your left leg is the primary cue. Place it slightly behind the girth. This leg will apply pressure, asking the horse’s body to move away from it—to the right.
- Right Leg (The “Wall”): Your right leg stays passively at the girth. Its role is to prevent the horse from stepping forward and to support the bend. It acts as a wall, discouraging forward motion.
- Reins: Pick up the reins with light contact. The left rein (outside rein) will lay against the neck to discourage turning the head to the left and support the shoulder. The right rein (inside rein) can be used to slightly tip the horse’s nose to the right, in the direction of travel. This helps free up the right shoulder to move sideways.
Step 3: Rewarding the Slightest Try
Apply steady pressure with your left leg. The very instant you feel your horse shift its weight to the right or take even a single half-step sideways, release all pressure immediately and praise them generously. In the beginning, you are not looking for a perfect, multi-step side pass. You are rewarding the try. This is the most critical part of the process. Releasing the pressure is the ultimate reward and teaches the horse what the correct answer is.
Step 4: Building Fluidity and Distance
As your horse begins to understand the cue, you can start asking for more.
- Ask for Two Steps: Once one step is consistent, ask for two steps before you release and reward.
- Increase the Distance: Gradually build up the number of steps, moving down the length of the fence.
- Move Away from the Fence: Once the side pass is solid along the fence, move to the centerline of the arena. The fence provided a crutch; now your aids must be clear enough to guide the horse without it.
- Practice in Both Directions: Always practice the side pass equally in both directions to ensure balanced muscle development and responsiveness.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Training is rarely a straight line. Here are some common hurdles you might encounter and how to fix them. The process can sometimes be so frustrating that you might need to look up a few horse trainer memes to lighten the mood.
“My horse just walks forward.”
This is the most common issue. It means the horse is evading the leg pressure by choosing the easier path of forward motion.
- Solution: Use your outside rein and your “wall” leg more effectively. The outside (supporting) rein prevents the shoulder from bulging forward. You may need to half-halt and gently resist forward motion. Ensure you are not leaning forward, which inadvertently cues forward movement. Go back to the fence, as it physically blocks the forward escape route.
“My horse just turns or pivots instead of moving sideways.”
This happens when the horse is confused about whether you’re asking for a turn on the haunches, a turn on the forehand, or a side pass.
- Solution: Your aids are likely unclear. Make sure your active leg is in the right position (slightly behind the girth) and your supporting leg is present at the girth. Your reins should keep the horse’s body straight from poll to tail, with only a very slight tip of the nose in the direction of travel. Too much inside rein will cause a turn.
“My horse gets tense and pins its ears.”
This is a sign of confusion, frustration, or too much pressure.
- Solution: Take a break. Go back to something the horse knows and can be praised for. When you try again, break the request down into an even smaller piece. Ask for just a weight shift, then release. Keep sessions short, maybe only five minutes long, and always end on a positive note, even if it’s for a very small try.
Dr. Eleanor Thorne, an equine behaviorist, states, “Horses learn from the release of pressure, not the application of it. The quicker and more precise your release, the faster your horse will understand the question you’re asking. Frustration arises when the pressure is constant and confusing, leaving the horse with no clear answer.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to teach a horse to side pass?
This varies greatly depending on the horse’s prior training, temperament, and the rider’s skill. A horse that already has a good understanding of yielding to pressure might pick it up in a few sessions. For others, it could take several weeks of consistent, patient practice.
Can I teach a side pass without a fence?
Yes, but the fence is an invaluable tool for beginners. It simplifies the process for the horse by eliminating the option to walk forward. Starting without a fence requires the rider to have much more precise control with their rein and leg aids to keep the horse straight.
My horse moves its front end but not its back end. What do I do?
This is a classic sign that your “active” leg is too far forward. Slide your cueing leg further back, closer to the flank, to specifically activate the hindquarters. You may need to revisit groundwork exercises to remind the horse how to move its hind end independently.
What’s the difference between a side pass and a leg yield?
In a true side pass, the horse’s body is perfectly straight, and it moves directly sideways with its legs crossing over. In a leg yield, the horse’s body is bent slightly away from the direction of travel, and it moves both forward and sideways. The side pass is a more advanced and collected movement.
Conclusion: A Step Towards True Partnership
Training a horse to side pass is a journey that refines your horsemanship and deepens the connection with your equine partner. It is a testament to the power of clear communication, patience, and rewarding the slightest effort. This single maneuver improves your horse’s physical suppleness and mental responsiveness, making them a safer, more capable, and more enjoyable ride.
By breaking the process down into manageable steps—from groundwork to precise saddle cues—and by patiently troubleshooting any issues that arise, you can successfully add this invaluable skill to your repertoire. Remember to keep your sessions positive, reward every try, and celebrate the small victories along the way. The fluid, effortless side pass is not just a movement; it’s a conversation, and mastering it is a beautiful expression of the partnership you’ve built.
