Problem: Your horse is unresponsive when you cue him to move away from leg pressure.

What’s wrong: He hasn’t be conditioned to understand and obey your leg–pressure cue.

Solution: Spend extra time sidepassing in both directions, starting with your horse facing a barrier (such as a fence), so he has little choice but to more laterally when you apply leg pressure to his side. (Tip: Keep your non-cueing leg well away from his other side, providing an “open door” escape route for his energy. Once you can sidepass him easily, he’ll be more responsive to your leg when going forward.

Thanks to Bob Avila for this training solution.