Develop the Stop

Start at a walk. The best cues for a stop are to sit down and melt into the saddle, basically stop riding or moving. This prepares your horse for the stop by signaling to him what you're doing. He feels the change - your lack of movement - so he stops moving, too. At the same time, use one of your most important verbal cues, "whoa." If the horse doesn't respond, only then pick up on the reins and hold. The moment he stops, release your hold.

To walk out again, liven the activity in your seat and allow your horse to follow the feel. Smooch or cluck if he doesn't move; then squeeze with your legs if he still doesn't walk. Next, move up to a trot and repeat the above. To stop, simply melt down in your saddle and quit riding. Say "whoa." Do this over and over until your horse understands the cues.

One good exercise is getting your horse to "think" stop. Assume a working trot, either through the cones or out on a trail, ask your horse to stop every so often, maybe 10, 12, 15 times. Trot 10 yards, then stop. Trot another 15 yards, stop. Trot 5 yards, stop. Trot 20 yards, stop. What you'll find is that, all of a sudden, your horse anticipates or "thinks" stop. You won't believe how fast he'll pick up on this. I guarantee it. Every time you sit and say "whoa," your horse will think stop and put on the brakes.

Be careful of where your hands are, especially on a young horse. Don't put them too high or low; hold them in a natural way. Be soft and create good habits from the beginning.

Stop and Back

If your horse has a tendency to walk forward out of the stop, doesn't really use his hindquarters, or braces at the stop, here's what to do.

Ask for the stop, give a quick release on the reins as a reward, but then back your horse immediately. Say "whoa" as you back. It should happen like this: Stop the horse, say "whoa," release the reins, then back him saying "whoa, whoa, whoa." Release again and drive your horse forward. Go 10 yards and stop. Say "whoa." Release, back him again.

Another version: Ask for a stop and keep your hold on the reins. Don't release as above. Maintain your hold on the reins, saying "whoa" until your horse takes a step backward. When he does, then release your hold. Now, your horse will really think stop and get on his hindquarters because when he does, you'll release him. You also can use a combination of rein bumps as you hold: right rein, left rein, right rein, left rein to back. Then don't forget to release.