When I used to show Western horses, the trail class was always something I looked forward to. I don’t show much anymore, but I still use obstacles in my daily work. They add variety, they teach horses to use their bodies in a way that makes sense to them, and they help engage the horse’s mind. I still believe every horse should be able to work a gate. That’s in part because I’m often too lazy to get off the horse to open the gate - but that’s not the only reason:
Working a gate teaches horses to move, one step at a time, in all directions: forward, backward, sideways.
Working a gate teaches horses to think about what comes next, but to wait for me to give the signal.
Working a gate gives horses patience as well as confidence.
How do we teach our horses to work a gate?
The right kind of gate helps. A not too narrow, not too low, fairly heavy gate that swings both ways but stays where you put it is best. Rope gates are good, too, but when I’m practicing with an inexperienced horse, I prefer attaching the rope to solid posts, rather than to two flimsy jump standards, like we often see in competitions.
Teaching the horse to stand still comes first. This is different from a halt in a dressage test, where the horse stays on the aids, ready to trot off after a crisp salute. Standing still means I drop the reins after I stop. Then, I visibly relax. I move around in the saddle. I lean left and right, I wave my hands in the air, I dig around for the dirty Kleenex in my coat pocket, I blow my nose, etc. Until I give the explicit signal to move, the horse knows to stand and wait. If standing still is difficult for your horse, be happy with a few seconds at first - but build on those few seconds. Standing still on a loose rein is a great way to help an anxious horse find relaxation. It sends a message of “We don’t always work hard when we’re under saddle. Sometimes, we just chill and sit there.”
Once the horse has no issues standing still, introduce the gate one step at a time: Standing still next to the gate, reaching over and rattling the gate, pushing the gate open, walking through it, closing it again, pausing between each step. Act like you have all the time in the world.
If the horse gets nervous or impatient, don’t get after him - just get him to stand still and relax again, then start over. In fact, never get after him while working the gate, even if he makes a mistake, pushes into your leg, or jumps away from the gate. I have met plenty of horses who are afraid of the gate because they have learned to fear what happens there. Just don’t do it.
If your horse is trying to guess your next step and/or push the gate open himself, foil his expectations by going the opposite way from where he expects: take a step backward, or close the gate again instead of opening it all the way.
If you find yourself or your horse getting frustrated, go do something else for a while, then come back. The slower way really will get you there faster.
The goal is to open and close the gate without letting go of it. But while your horse is learning to work the gate, please let go of it when necessary. Starting over is much better than creating anxiety.
Ultimately, you and your horse should be able to work the gate from both sides, pushing or pulling the gate, forward or backward. A horse and rider pair who can do this so well it seems effortless has traveled a long ways along the path toward a true partnership based on trust and mutual respect.
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