Q&A for How to Control and Steer a Horse Using Your Seat and Legs

First, lean back and signal your horse with your lower body language. If it doesn't respond, gently pull the reins back, increasing the pressure until it stops.

No, if he is trained correctly he should yield to your leg and move the opposite way.

Take a deep breath and relax your muscles, particularly in your seat. Lean back slightly and apply gentle (but constant) pressure to the reins. You can also use the verbal cue of "whoa." If the horse is out of control and an emergency stop is necessary, gather one rein very tightly and pull out and away from the horse's neck. This will cause the horse to follow his head and spin in a circle. This can often cause riders to lose their balance and fall, but the horse's speed will have been decreased which could prevent the fall from being as damaging. Some horses are also trained to stop if you pull up on their breastplate as an emergency measure.

A crop is a small stiff whip used to get a horse's attention.

Most horses are trained to start moving or to go faster with leg pressure. Start by gently squeezing the horse's sides with both heels. If he doesn't respond, you can try gently kicking his side or using a crop/ whip on the horse's shoulder or near the girth area.

Just try pulling the reins on the right -- it should work. That is how most people do it.

Try not to let your arms be pulled down as well. If you can keep your arms firmly in place, a lot of times the horse will put his head up again. If needed, you can try to pull it back up, but sometimes that causes the horse to rear.

Press your legs firmly on the horse and don't take them off until you get a reaction. A crop is good, but don't hit the horse repeatedly. Instead, give the horse a firm smack, then wait, and if they still don't go, do it again. If you still can't get them to go you might want to consider spurs.

If you want to turn, just pull the reins slightly whichever way you want to turn.

Pull back on the reins, and lean back. Some horses respond to commands like "woah," as well.