Rain working the gate 15 Dec 2023

Rain the 4 yr old Spotted Saddle horse started in training on 18 Oct 2023 - so working the gate is a progress test done on 15 Dec 2023 pretty nearly two months in to training.

So why use "working the gate" as a progress test?

Working the gate requires the horse to know all the basic lateral movements and do each until the cue is released - then either stand still and await further direction OR if a different cue has been given immediately execute the new cue - sometimes two lateral movements are needed simultaneously in opposite directions such as shoulder yielding right while hip yielding left.

Backing only while cued and going forward only when cued are also essential to get the gate worked properly.

And of course the horse which moves off subtle leg cues then also needs to when told whoa at the latch needs to NOT MOVE while the rider does the required movement on the horse to work the latch - basically ignore what may feel like a cue when told to "stand still and grow roots awaiting further direction." This is why, in my opinion, working the gate is a good progress test for a horse in starting level training.