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Horseman’s Guide: Fixing the “Attitude” or Mini-Buck at the Lope Departure

Specific to a 7½-year-old finished ranch versatility gelding
(Trained through the bridle, normally ridden in a correction bit – December 2025)

Table of Contents

  1. The Horse We’re Talking About
  2. The Original Question
  3. Core Answer – What to Do in the Moment
  4. Common Mistakes That Create the Problem
  5. Everyday Mistakes That Keep It Alive
  6. How to Push from the Hindquarters First (fix for #10)
  7. Lope Speed Cues – How to Speed Up or Slow Down Without Losing Roundness
  8. Golden Rules (Never Break)
  9. References & Sources

The Horse We’re Talking About

The Original Question

“As a horseman, when putting a horse into a lope the horse initially has some attitude or not focused on the rider where it may shake its head or do a little buck. How should the horseman respond in those situations?”

Core Answer What to Do in the Moment

Immediate Response (first 2–3 strides)

Next 30–60 seconds

If he repeats it

Common Mistakes That Create the Problem

# Mistake Why it creates head-shaking / mini-bucks on a finished horse Immediate Fix (do this every single time)
1 Leaning forward or throwing your body at the cue Even 5–10° forward tip drives seat onto forehand the exact moment he needs to lift his back → feels unfair → head flip or hop to rebalance Sit tall, shoulders over hips, think “grow taller” the instant you ask. Video yourself.
2 Accepting the first stride hollow A finished horse can leave round from the very first footfall. Accepting even one hollow stride teaches “a little protest is okay” → he exaggerates it If first stride isn’t as round as the last stride of a winning pattern → immediate down-transition and re-ask until perfect. Zero tolerance.
3 Holding two tight reins while asking Traps shoulders, blocks strike-off → horse throws head up or hops Light inside rein (just enough for bend), supportive but never locked outside rein. Cue with seat/legs first, hands last.
4 Asking from a hollow or strung-out trot Horse already on forehand → only way to lope is to wrench neck or buck Never lope until trot is round, rhythmic, and pushing from behind. Do 50–100 perfect trot–walk–trot first.
5 Always loping in the same spot or corner Creates anticipation → he braces or protests before you even ask Randomize every departure for the next 30 days — middle of arena, diagonals, after leg-yield, etc.
6 Letting him lope off after any attitude Instantly teaches “head-shake = I still get to go forward” → he repeats it Any attitude → immediate correction (hustle feet or disengage), then re-ask. Never let him continue loping after a protest.
7 Over-facing or drilling when fresh Cold-backed or fresh horse gets sore/sour → expresses it at the lope departure First 5–10 min of every ride: walk & easy trot only. Save lope work for when he’s mentally ready.
8 Constant nagging leg or dead hands Desensitizes him → only a big kick gets a reaction → explosion One clear, crisp cue. If ignored → one sharp bump + immediate hustle of feet.
9 Neglecting lateral suppleness Stiff ribcage/shoulders physically cannot strike off cleanly → he hops or twists Every warm-up: leg-yield both ways, shoulder-in, haunches-in, counter-arc circles until loose sideways.
10 Riding front-to-back instead of back-to-front You pull him into the lope with the bit → resentment → head-shake or buck See full “Push from the Hindquarters First” section below.

Everyday Mistakes That Keep It Alive

How to Push from the Hindquarters First (the real cure for #10)

WRONG order (front-to-back)
Hands → voice → legs → hollow + attitude

CORRECT order (back-to-front) – do this every single departure

  1. Horse is already forward and round (engine running)
  2. Inside leg steady at girth → inside hind steps deeper under
  3. Outside leg 2–4 inches behind girth → one clear bump → outside hind under + bend
  4. Seat deepens slightly, inside seat bone a hair heavier → true “lope cue”
  5. Inside hand lifts ½–1 inch and softens forward (invites bend & lift)
  6. Outside rein stays steady and receiving – never pulls back
  7. One soft kiss only if needed – most departures silent on a finished horse

One-sentence summary you can say out loud
“Inside hind, outside hind, sit, soften, go.”

Quick drills (3–5 rides)

Lope Speed Cues – How to Speed Up or Slow Down Without Losing Roundness

(Once the departure is fixed, most ranch versatility horses start rushing or getting lazy. Fix it the same way the top riders do.)

Goal Body cue (primary) Leg cue Rein cue (support only) Common mistake to avoid
Slow the lope Sit deeper, exhale, slightly close both seat bones Close both calves very lightly (steady pressure) Slight “checking” lift on both reins, then soften Pulling steadily back → horse hollows or braces
Collect / shorten Sit taller, roll pelvis under, breathe into your belly Inside leg at girth for lift, outside leg back for engagement Tiny inside lift + outside direct rein if needed Dropping inside shoulder or tipping forward
Extend the lope Lighten seat, breathe in, tip pelvis slightly forward Both legs 2–3 inches farther back, soft bump-bump Open both hands forward 1–2 inches, then steady Kicking hard or leaning forward (causes hollow)
Big fast → slow After one extended lap: sit deep, exhale, close calves Light steady calf pressure One soft half-halt, then immediately soften Yanking or getting stiff → horse throws head
Emergency slow Freeze seat, big exhale, sit like a rock Both legs clamped lightly on (no kicking) One firm half-halt on outside rein → instant soften Two-rein death grip → horse inverts and bucks

Key principles for a finished ranch horse

Do these speed cues exactly like the top NRCHA and AQHA ranch riding winners and your gelding will stay round, adjustable, and happy from a jog to an extended lope and back again—no more head-shaking from being yanked on or kicked hard.

Golden Rules (Never Break)

  1. Finished horse = zero free passes
  2. Softness = immediate comfort and draping rein
  3. Attitude = immediate correction with the feet
  4. Consistency for 10–15 rides fixes even confirmed horses
  5. Ride back-to-front every single transition

References & Sources

This guide draws from foundational horsemanship principles, official rulebooks, and insights from top trainers. Below is a complete list with direct links for further reading (as of December 2025).

Books & Foundational Texts

Trainers & Clinics

Official Rulebooks

Top Ranch Versatility Trainers & Resources (2025)

Print this guide and tape the mistake table + hindquarter + speed-cue sections in your trailer.