Tricks of the Turnaround Box

Learn How to Build and Train this Challenging Obstacle

by Mark Bolender

More and more trail challenges include a small 42 inch box that requires the horse to step up onto it and turn around. When you see an experienced horse negotiate the obstacle it looks very simple. This obstacle is anything but simple and requires a number of skilled maneuvers. The following skills need to be mastered before one attempts the box: the ability to move the haunches and forehand at will with a soft feel, the ability to stop with a soft feel, the ability to perform a pivot on center and the ability to stand quietly on the box, all the while respecting the Bolender Bubble. It should be trained as follows.

Start by asking the horse to move the haunches on the ground. Do what you need to do to get the horse to move the haunches to the point where you can do a pivot on the forehand. We want the horse to lock the front while moving the hind. It will take some time before it locks the front foot; don’t push too fast or you will frustrate the horse, and yourself. Start with a few steps and relax before you ask for more steps. You will need to perform this task from each side.

The next step is to begin to teach the pivot on hind. That means that you must begin to move the shoulders while locking the hind. Don’t worry that the hind moves some in the beginning. You first want the shoulder to move. Ask for a few steps at first and then increase it over time. If you try to rush this process it will take much longer than if you take your time and relax, plus your horse will be stressed and work up a sweat. A relaxed horse learns much faster that a stressed horse. The horse should have the ability to stop when asked. This sounds funny, but all too often I see this skill lacking. When you walk the horse should walk. When you stop the horse should stop. One must have this skill down before approaching the box.

Next, ask the horse to step up onto the box while on the ground. The horse must step up and stop with little or no effort. At first the horse will want to walk over the box and that’s okay. Don’t try to stop the horse but allow it to stop. Do not try to turn the horse from the ground until the horse is stepping onto the box and stopping in a relaxed confident manner. Some horse will struggle with the stop. Remain quiet and persistent until the horse is stopping and standing on a loose lead rope.

When the horse has learned to step up and stop in a completely relaxed manner begin to move the shoulder and haunches one small step at a time. Go slow as this will take several days of short sessions. You will not want to hurry the process or it will take much longer.   Make sure you allow the horse time to think it through. When you have a mastered 360 from the ground then it is time to mount up and ride.

When mounted, make sure that you have the ability to move the shoulders and haunches at will and have a nice pivot on center before you approach the box. Start over from the beginning by just asking the horse to step up on the box. When the horse is willing to step up on the box and stop on a loose rein then it is time to ask for the first step. Try for a 90 degree turn the first session and no more. Make the horse feel like a world champion and he will try harder the next day for you. Do not worry about perfection at first or you will frustrate the horse. Give them the time that they need.

Happy trails and Bolender Blessings.

To build a 42” square box you will need the following.

8 – 42” 2×8 boards

3 – 39” 2×8 boards

100 3 ½ screws or 20d galvanized nails. *Often nails become loose when the boards dry out so screws are best.

You will need to trim one board on top to fit the 42” box. If you start out with 3 14’ 2×8 you should have 1 42” board left. Often a lumber store will cut the boards for you for a small charge. This is worth the price.

 

Published in June 2014 Issue