Ranchlands
Be a Better Horseman - Mike Major
Mike Major - Ranch-Horse Versatility
Say "Whoa"
To my horses, the word “whoa” means stop—nothing else. The only time I say whoa is when I want my horse at a standstill. The lift of my reins tells him something different is coming. Whoa is even more precise; it tells him a stop is next.
The way you say whoa tells your horse more about the stop that is coming. If you want a soft, smooth, easy-into-the-ground stop, say “whoooaaa” slowly and softly.
Yelling whoa is like having a light turn red in front of your truck. You slam on the brakes and stop, but it’s not soft, smooth or pretty. People who yell whoa! also seem to have fast hands and pull the reins faster and harder than necessary. - Mike Major
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