What does Clinton Anderson say about developing the natural, forward movement that working western rail rewards?

Clinton Anderson's approach to developing natural, forward movement is grounded in his principle that horses should be ridden from the hindquarters forward — energy created from behind and directed forward through a horse that is relaxed in the back and topline — rather than being held in a frame from the front. His specific training for forward movement begins with responsiveness to the leg. A horse that does not move forward freely from a light leg aid cannot show the natural, willing forward movement that working western rail rewards — it will look dull, behind the aids, and as though the rider is pumping it along. Anderson develops leg responsiveness through his sensitize work: a light leg aid followed immediately by a stronger one if the horse does not respond, with immediate release when the horse moves forward willingly. Over time the horse learns to respond to the lightest possible leg aid, which produces the effortless-looking forward movement that rail work rewards. He also emphasizes relaxation of the back as foundational to good movement quality. A horse with a tight, braced back cannot swing through its stride regardless of how willing its feet are. The topline flexibility that produces a swinging, ground-covering stride comes from a horse that is relaxed through its entire body — which comes from correct training, correct bit use, and a rider who does not create tension through their position or their hands. Anderson notes that the natural, forward movement of working western rail is not something that can be put on a horse through mechanical means — draw reins, tight nosebands, or forced collection do not produce the quality the class rewards. The quality comes from a horse that is genuinely relaxed, genuinely responsive, and genuinely forward — and those qualities come only from correct, patient, progressive training.