Over the years I’ve watched and heard about people struggling with a horse who will dive to the center of the arena at inappropriate and unexpected times. There are a number of reasons for this and some ways to correct this problem.

Fundamentally, the horse isn’t accepting you as his leader or is testing your leadership. Make sure as you handle your horse on a regular basis you are doing actions that establish “you” as the herd leader. Let no room for doubt creep into your horse’s mind! If he doubts your authority or ability as a leader he will challenge your position by ignoring you and doing what he wants. Or at least test the waters to see if there is any room for change.

A horse wants to go to the center of the arena for one primary purpose – to REST! Like any other animal on this planet, if there is an opportunity to conserve energy and not have to work as hard, it will be taken! Like most riders, our normal routine in the arena is to work on the rail then come to the center to rest or end the ride and dismount. The horse quickly figures this deal out and his thoughts kind of go like this… “Gee I’m tired of all this hard work running around, if I can just get to the center my rider will stop this nonsense and get off of me.”

Here’s what you do. Adjust your routine and don’t always do your hardest work on the rail. Work in the center of the arena and use the rail as a resting spot. Don’t always dismount or end your ride in the center – do it on the rail or pick a corner to go to. While riding, if your horse makes a sneak attack and dives for the center, remain unfazed, don’t pick a fight, and just work the tar out of him right there in the arena center. Make him really sweat but remember to keep your energy upbeat and kindly because this isn’t so much a punishment but rather a basic lesson in choices. If the horse makes a choice counter to what you’ve asked of him, then you make his choice become the harder-working option. We want to make our choices (in riding and training situations) the easier and softer way. After this vigorous workout – go to the rail and rest! If your horse balks at going into the arena, get on him and work him vigorously right there – then go into the arena and rest. What you’re trying to establish here is acceptance – acceptance of your authority and that your choice is going to be the easier way when riding or handling. Remember that to foster this acceptance over the long haul you need to have training, riding and handling sessions with your horse that are truly pleasant, easy and fun. Your interactions with your horse shouldn’t always be a grueling work sessions – they should also involve bonding experiences and “feel-good” experiences such as grooming times and nice walks on a trail. This gives your horse confidence that although there is work involved when you ride him, there are also good times to be had!

Another quick fix for the center diving horse is to make sure you have a good “supporting rein” when riding the rail. The supporting rein is the outside rein (to your circle.). This rein should be in constant contact with the horse – at least initially for the young or green horse, when riding English and even when training the Western horse (they eventually move on to a different reining style  but only after they have been neck-rein broke and well-disciplined). The contact should be “supporting” which means with a slight pressure that is eventually decreased as the horse becomes more disciplined and able to hold his shoulders and body upright. But because of the contact with this rein, it also acts to prevent the horse from suddenly turning his head and neck into the center with the purpose of having his body follow. Now this doesn’t mean the horse won’t try to suddenly jerk the rein out of your hand – just make sure your grip on this rein is firm, your leg aids are ready to fly into actions when needed and your seat is balanced and secure. If the horse can’t throw you off balance he’ll have a harder time resisting your hand, leg, rein and seat aids, which you’ll promptly put into action the moment you sense him eyeing the center of the arena.

What we need to keep in mind when we encounter these problems with our horses is it usually boils down to some fundamental beginning piece of training that is missing or hasn’t been established thoroughly enough.  A good rule of thumb is go back to the “basics” and work on your communication and leadership with your horse.