6 Steps for Controlling and Exercising Your Horse

By Dan Marcum

Not every horse can be an all around horse, but with the training program utilized by Dan Marcum, the ultimate goal is to produce a horse that is calm, willing, supple and able to perform well in whatever discipline he is suited for.

Many of the horses started with Marcum can easily walk, trot and canter with control at the end of 30 days.

In the next month, the "Six Warm Up Exercises" are introduced Marcum has developed a series of movements that teach the horse balance and lateral work.

Step 1: Walk On A Circle

The horse should travel in a large circle with both front and back feet traveling in the same track. All angles of the steps should be the same. The key is to use inside pressure with a dominant outside rein and gentle rhythmic tugs to keep the head down. The goal is to raise the horse's back, lower his head, and turn with the outside rein.

Step 2: Bend to the Inside

Bend the horse until the head and neck drop and the nose comes in slightly at a 30 degree angle to the circle. Use a soft rein, with the horses' legs staying on the circle. The key is to use the inside leg pressure with the dominant inside rein pulling toward the rider's inside hip. The goal is to get the horse flexible and obedient to the aids.

Step 3: Double Circles

Begin with step 2, and then push the haunches to the outside of the circle. The front legs travel on the circle, the back legs on a slightly larger circle. The key is to use the inside leg pressure behind the girth, with a dominant inside rein pulling toward the rider's inside hip. The goal is to encourage the horse to reach under more with his inside hind leg and move his legs laterally.

Step 4: Uni-lateral Leg Yield

Begin with step 2, and then push the horse so he is leading with his outside shoulder into a larger circle. The key is to use the inside leg pressure while moving the inside rein to the rider's outside shoulder. The goal is to keep the horse flexible and obedient to the aids.

Step 5: Bi-lateral Leg Yield

Begin with step 1, and then push the horse laterally out, evenly on the circle. The key is to use the inside leg pressure with equal reins moving slightly to the inside. The goal is to collect the horse and make him obedient to aids.

Step 6: Hindquarter Circles

Begin with step 1, and then turn the horse so that the haunches remain in a small circle, yet the shoulders rotate around. The key is to use the outside leg pressure behind the girth with a dominant outside rein. Keep the inside leg off the horse. The goal is to make the horse obedient to aids.

All of these exercises help build a solid foundation for the horse. They are also an excellent way for a new rider to learn how to control their horse and how much rein or leg pressure is needed for certain maneuvers.

About Dan Marcum

Dan Marcum was born in Driggs, Idaho where he grew up working with horses. In the winter he drove sleighs and spent his summers packing in the mountains. In 1980, he moved to Texas and by 1989 had settled in Kirbyville. He married his wife Kathy in 1992. Dan's daughter, Annie, works for them as a trainer and Kathy's son, Travis, helps out with the maintenance. Karen Ross and Hannah Brook round out the training staff.

The Marcum's operate an all breed training barn, working with a wide variety of horses. They especially enjoy the Pleasure type Pintos. They attended their first Pinto show in 1994 at the Pinto National Show, and have been back every year since then. One of the things they love about Pintos is the diversity. It fits in with their "specialty" all around horses.

From 1995-200, the Marcum's competed with Oshquah , a half-Arabian stallion co-owned by them and Mimi Hoppe Wolf. Over those years, he won the PtHA High Point Pleasure type saddle four times and racked up eleven National World titles and 20 Reserve titles. He was also a PtHA Supreme Champion. Many of his offspring are already following in his footsteps, earning PtHA World Champion titles themselves.