12 Steps on the Ground

Step 1 Walk across the ring straight to the rail. When you get almost to the rail put your left hand on or near the halter, put your right hand on button 3. Pull the horse’s nose to the left and push his hip to the right. The horse will now be standing parallel to the rail.

Step 2 Go to the other side of the horse (the off side), right hand on the halter, left hand on button 1, tip the nose to the horse’s left, and push on button 1. Walk across the ring straight to the rail. When you get almost to the rail put your right hand on or near the halter, put your left hand on button 3. Pull the horse’s nose to the right and push his hip to the left.

Step 3 Same as step 1 except trot across.

Step 4 Same as step 2 except trot across.

Step 5 Is a turn on the forehand. The front feet stay almost still and the back feet move around. Left hand near the halter and right hand on button 3. The horse should be facing the rail.

Step 6 Go to the other side. Right hand near the halter and left hand on button 3.

Step 7 Is a turn on the haunches. The back feet stay almost still and the front feet move around. Go to the other side, left hand near the halter and right hand on button 1.

Step 8 Go to the other side. Right hand near the halter and left hand on button 1.

Step 9 Start by leading the horse from the correct side along the rail at the walk. Switch hands, left hand on or near the halter and right hand on button 3. While the horse is walking ask for a couple cross overs with the back feet, then continue walking straight forward.

Step 10 Start by leading the horse from the off side at the walk. Switch hands, right hand on or near the halter and left hand on button 3. While the horse is walking ask for a couple cross overs in the back, then continue walking straight forward.

Step 11 Stand the horse facing the rail. While standing on the horse’s left look over the horse’s back side pass  a couple of steps to the right using the left hand near the halter and the right hand on button 2. Don’t forget the nose goes first.

Step 12 Go to the other side. Look over the horse’s back side pass to the left a couple of steps using the right hand near the halter and the left hand on button 2. Don’t forget the nose goes first.


12 Steps under saddle

Step 1 Walk across the ring straight to the rail. When you get almost to the rail look to the left, tip the horse’s nose to the left, take the right leg off, left leg back on button 3 to move the hip to the right. Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 2 Lift the shoulders, take the left leg off, ¼ turn to the left using the right leg then walk across. When you get almost to the rail look to the right, tip the horse’s nose to the right, take the left leg off, right leg back to move the hip to the left. 
Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 3 Lift the shoulders, take the right leg off, ¼ turn to the right using the left leg then trot across the ring straight to the rail. When you get almost to the rail look to the left, tip the horse’s nose to the left, take the right leg off, left leg back on button 3 to move the hip to the right. Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 4 Lift the shoulders, take the left leg off, ¼ turn to the left using the right leg then trot across. When you get almost to the rail look to the right, tip the horse’s nose to the right, take the left leg off, right leg back on button 3 to move the hip to the left.  Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 5 Is a turn on the forehand. The front feet stay almost still and the back move around. Look to the left, tip the horse’s nose to the left, take the right leg off, left leg back to move the hip ¼ turn to the right. Remember to keep your hands down.  Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 6 Look to the right, tip the horse’s nose to the right, left leg off, right leg back on button 3 to move the hip ¼ turn back to the rail.  Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 7 Is a turn on the haunches. The back feet stay almost still and the front feet move around. Look to the right, take the right leg off, lift both reins, left leg moves the shoulders ¼ turn to the right.  Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 8 Look back to the left, lift both reins, take the left leg off, right leg moves the shoulders ¼ turn to the back to the left.  Praise your horse and count to 12.

Step 9 While walking along a straight rail, tip the horse’s nose slightly to the left, left leg back, squeeze release until you feel a couple cross over steps in the back.   Praise your horse, walk forward and count to 12.

Step 10 Reverse. While walking along a straight rail, tip the horse’s nose slightly to the right, right leg back, squeeze and release until you feel a couple cross over steps in the back.   Praise your horse, walk forward and count to 12.

Step 11 Stand facing the rail. Look to your right, side pass to the right using the left leg and both reins up to the right, after a couple steps stop & praise.

Step 12 Look to your left, side pass to the left using the right leg and both reins up to the left, after a couple steps stop & praise.

• Button 3 is approximately 3 inches further back then where the leg normally hangs down. 
• Button 2 is when where the leg hangs down directly under the riders seat.
• Button 1 is approximately 3 inches further forward of where the leg normally hangs down.
• The horse's body always stays straight for the 12 step exercises. 
• The rider's hands should always be level and together to encourange the horse to stay straight.
• Perfect each step before moving on to the next.
• The horse must wait for the hand to actually touch his sides before moving his feet.
• If you want your horse to move his feet, move your feet.
• This 12 Step program was created by my Mentor, Richard Shrake.