How to Perfect the Horse Riding Sliding Stop

A well-executed sliding stop will earn many points in the show arena. It is one of the hardest maneuvers for horse and rider to do well. A sliding stop involves halting from a lope, the horse bringing both hind legs up under itself with front legs straight and parallel. Follow these steps to perfect a sliding stop while riding your horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Learn to keep your horse's body in straight alignment. Fix your attention on a point at one end of the arena and ride toward it. If your horse isn't going in the direction you are looking, his body isn't straight.
2. Look down at the reins you are holding in one hand as you lope down the arena fence. If one rein is touching his neck, the horse is leaning to that side. The horse's body needs to be very straight from poll to croup for a good sliding stop.
3. Ride down the long side of the arena fence, picking up speed as you go. If the horse is in correct alignment as you near the end of the fence, ask your horse for a stop, but if he is out of position, just go on riding around the arena until it is in the right position.
4. Sit tightly in the saddle and pick up on the reins slightly, giving the voice cue, "Whoa." If the horse doesn't stop correctly, reach down on your reins and pull the horse in a circle opposite the shoulder they were leading with.
5. Lope back to the other end of the arena and ask for another sliding stop. Whenever the horse does a good sliding stop, reward the animal by letting it stop to rest for moments while you pat its neck.
6. Repeat this drill about ten minutes a day a few days a week until your horse has perfected his sliding stop, then practice it occasionally while riding.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't pull back hard on the reins. Trust your horse to stop before he hits the fence.
• Don't over-school your horse on sliding stops. They are physically taxing, and horses can become sour with too much unpleasant work.
• Always wear protective headgear and boots or shoes with a pronounced heel and keep your tack in good condition.