1. Get the horse you are planning on doing join up with into a round pen or another small area like that. Make sure that the horse has a head collar is on and that all the other horses are out of sight. If the horse you are doing join up with can see any other horses it may want to be with them and not you.
2. Calm slow approach is always best keep your horse in a low key mode. Unclip the lunge line and let your horse stand or run around a little while, step into the middle of the round pen to send your horse away, make sure you drive the horse from behind the horse so that he goes into flight mode and runs away.
2. If your horse slows, begin to move him on again – don’t let let your horse stop.
3. Wait till you see his ears flickering – his ears flickering means he wants to get close to you and not be pushed away any more, once you see this sign, send him on again.
4. The next sign you should look out for is a licking/chewing motion with the mouth, let the horse do this and then again, send him away, but instead of keeping him going like you have been, turn at an angle to your horse.
5. With your shoulders part turned away drop your shoulders and look to the floor, drop the lunge line and stand as still as you can, if the join up has worked your horse will walk over to you.
6. After the join up, walk and around letting your horse follow, your horse should now be staying with you pretty much everywhere you go. Below a few pictures of students and myself doing some very nice join -ups.
