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The Turn and Burn exercise is an essential drill for horses that need to improve their spins. It's designed to help a horse pivot on the proper foot, specifically the back inside foot, while building fluidity and control in their spinning movement. This exercise is especially useful for riders looking to enhance their horse's responsiveness and performance in spins. In this post, we’ll break down the steps of the Turn and Burn exercise and how it can improve your horse's technique.
What is the Turn and Burn Exercise?
Understanding the Turn and Burn
The Turn and Burn exercise is a method used to teach a horse to spin effectively, focusing on pivoting correctly while maintaining control and fluidity. The goal isn’t to make the horse spin faster but to improve the efficiency and softness of the movement. The horse should perform spins with ease, and it’s about how well the horse can move, not just how quickly.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Turn and Burn Exercise
1. Prepare Your Horse
Before diving into spins, ensure your horse respects the halter or bridle. If your horse isn't responsive to these cues, it's essential to address that first. A horse that doesn't respond properly won’t be able to follow through with the exercise as effectively. In this video demonstration, Eli, a Quarter Horse gelding, is used to showcase the technique, and his responsiveness is key to making the exercise successful.
2. Setting the Stage: The Circle
Start by guiding your horse into a circle. For this exercise, imagine a clock face, where you will move your horse to the left:
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Begin at 12 o'clock
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Move to 9 o'clock
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Reach 6 o'clock
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Move to 3 o'clock
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Return to 12 o'clock
As you approach each point on the clock, trot forward with a slight bend to the inside. The goal is to shut down the forward movement and transform it into a spin. This will allow for one or two full rotations before driving the horse back out of the circle.
Key Tips for Effective Turn and Burn Spins
1. Focus on the Inside Foot
A common misconception is that a fast spin equates to a better spin. However, a horse that spins too quickly without focusing on the correct pivot foot (the inside back foot) isn’t performing an efficient spin. Turn and Burn is about making the horse think about the pivot rather than just turning. Trot is the natural cadence for spinning, so let the trot lead the way into the spin.
2. Controlling the Horse’s Movement
The success of the Turn and Burn depends on maintaining control during the transitions. When you're driving the horse forward, don’t release the reins immediately. Instead, use your second leg to guide the horse out of the spin. This helps the horse recognize that once the inside rein and leg are released, it should turn, but when they’re engaged, it must go forward.
Developing the Spin: Make it Smooth
1. Transitioning from Pulling to Fluid Movement
As the horse becomes more advanced, the ultimate goal is to achieve spins with a loose rein. In the early stages, it’s tempting to pull on the reins to control the spin, but this is counterproductive in the long run. You want your horse to respond to leg pressure and slight rein cues rather than constant pulling.
2. Fine-Tuning the Spin
To make the horse's spin smoother, you’ll need to train the horse to spin without excessive rein pressure. As you practice, focus on getting the horse to respond to your legs and seat, rather than using the reins to direct the movement. This will allow the horse to perform turns with ease and precision.
Advanced Tips: Enhancing Spin and Control
1. Sit Back and Drive Forward
To enhance the pivot and overall performance of the spin, sit into the left side (if you're spinning to the left), release the left leg, and apply pressure with the outside leg. The outside leg acts as a "gas pedal," driving the horse forward out of the spin. This will encourage the back end to step under and improve the pivot’s effectiveness.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
As with any maneuver, practice is crucial. The more you work with your horse, the smoother the spins will become. The key is to build muscle memory in your horse and reduce the reliance on rein pressure. Eventually, you’ll be able to spin your horse on a loose rein with minimal cueing, allowing for more fluid and controlled spins.
Conclusion
The Turn and Burn exercise is an essential training tool for riders looking to improve their horse’s spinning technique. It focuses on proper foot placement, fluidity, and responsiveness. By using the steps outlined above and continually refining your technique, you'll help your horse become more efficient and comfortable with spins. Remember, it's not about how fast they spin, but how controlled and precise their movements are.
With consistent practice, your horse will perform smoother, more controlled spins with minimal effort, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering spinning in your riding routine.
