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A few months ago I had a horse stumble and fall while we were cantering. We did a nose-dive, head first, total wipeout. The "crew" at Barnardsville were all there and saw it. They saw and recognized my checklist that I go through when I know I'm coming off a horse. Now things happen really fast when you're cantering and suddenly your horse dives head first, but even in that short time I check certain things before the horse and I part ways. 

This got me to thinking about how I go through a checklist when I ask a horse to do something. I go through this list very, very quickly. Fractions of seconds. It requires that I start preparing way early before I ask something of the horse. If the answer is no to any of the questions then I cannot continue. 

1. Do I have a clear picture of what I’m about to ask my horse to do?

2. Does my horse know how to do what I’m about to ask? 

3. Am I in a proper position for my horse to perform this task?

4. Is my horse in a proper position to perform this task?

5.  Can I handle what I’m about to ask?

6. With feel, ask him to START to perform the task. 

7.  If he doesn’t, firm up in the asking. 

8.  If he still doesn’t, demand that he do it.

9.  When he does it, pet him and tell him he’s the best horse in the world!