This horse training manual was written in late 1800's by a then world famous horse trainer named Jesse Beery.

In Beery's manual he explains different steps it takes to train a horse to be gentle, safe, reliable, and valuable.

Although this is a very basic example, Beery describes number one abuse of a command given to horses by their riders. The command is "whoa". The reason this command is so abused is because rider will often say "whoa" while riding when they want horse to slow down.

Very quickly, horse associates word "whoa" with slowing down instead of stopping. Soon, frustrated horse owner wonders why his horse won't stop when he says "whoa".

Beery reminds reader to say "whoa" ONLY when you want horse to stop. Pick a different command for horse to slow down.

The first thing that must happen is communication between horse and his handler. The horse must understand what is required of him and handler must make it easy to understand.

Thus, you must start by getting horse to move forward in either direction. After a direction is established then get him moving in opposite direction. A round pen is excellent for this purpose.

When horse gets good at moving both directions then it's time to hook a lead rope to his halter and lunge him left and right. For instance, when you point left, horse must know to go to your left. And vice versa for going right.

The final result should look like this. You're holding lead rope while facing your horse. As you hold lead rope in your right hand, you hook middle of lead rope with your left thumb. Lift it up and point to left.

Your horse, now knowing what to do, immediately goes to your left. After a circle or two you switch hands and get horse to go to your right.