Opening gates in corners

[yethersgill]

Need some advice people. Have finally mastered opening gates that are in the centre of fences, but gates in corners

not a chance

Any good suggestions for ways of getting pony to a) go into the corner and b) stand, and not spin off at 100 mile an hour?
Have practiced inhand but so far hasn't helped when riding.

Mind you am getting very good at getting back on from the gate I have just had to get off to open

 

[elizabethshaw]

might help to break the process down, so firstly work on just standing by the gate - you will need to position hour horse so his rear end is by the hinges, and just practice standing quietly for a few times, without moving. Next step would be to reach out and touch the gate but not actually move it. That way he will get used to your body movement in the saddle without responding by moving. If he does move you need to go back to the start as the foundation has to be solid. Eventually you can get to where you can open the gate a few inches with him standing still. Then all you have to do is move his hindquarters over and around with your outside leg, and open the gate wider to walk through. It's worth spending the time to get it right as it's so useful when you can do it (only problem is though you will find yourself opening and shutting the gates for all your buddies every time you go out in company!)

 

[ironhorse]

Is the hinge in the corner or the latch? Is this a hunting gate or full size?
We have to open and shut a gate in a very precise way for western trail (Usually it's a free standing metal gate in an arena, but the principle is useful cos you lose marks for cocking it up!)
If the gate opens away from you, stand the horse with his shoulder at the latch - to get to it you might have to leg yield (we sidepass, which involves no forward movement, just sideways) to the gate. Open the gate with the latch and if it has a chain or horse friendly catch, keep hold of this and leg yield towards the gate. pushing it away from you. When it is open, turn on the forehand around the gate, keeping hold of it if you can. Now push the horse back towards the gate with your other leg to shut it and then leg yield (side pass) away.
Cowboys do this because the gateway is always blocked by the horse's body and no livestock can escape; it also gives you control of the gate and avoids it swinging on the horse.
Arena gates are often in corners - can you practice at home ?
Having a horse that can do gates without you having to get off makes you very popular as a hacking buddy!
Wish I could post a video clip to help, but too techy for me!

 

[yethersgill]

Many thanks heidichocs will certainly try that. Just need to find a gate that is not miles from home. Usually find the damn things out on long hacks!

 

[yethersgill]

Hi ironhorse, these gates are usually fullsize farm gates. Worst ones are by cattlegrids

so you end up in a small area....
Unfortunately our menage gate is in the centre of the fence (hence why we can now do those ones

)

Thanks for your suggestions! Maybe we should try TREC

Suppose I could also try setting something up in the menage to practice with