SLOW,
QUIET PROCESS REQUIRED FOR TEACHING THE BACK UP UNDER SADDLE
(Part 2)
By SUSAN
DUDASIK
A successful
training program relies on consistency, patience and building
on a basic foundation. Previously we discussed teaching your
horse to back in an open area. Next you rode your horse between
two poles, stopped, then asked him to back in the confines of
the poles. Now it’s time to go one step further. This time,
instead of walking through the poles and backing out, you’re
going to ride toward them, stop, do a half-turn on the forehand,
then back through.
This exercise
seems easy, but again, it has its tricky spots. Some of the
biggest problems are approaching and positioning the horse for
the back. Riders work too hard at getting the horse lined-up
and end up with a horse that dances and swings his rump around.
Most riders tend to view this obstacle as one move. Actually
it’s several and only by mastering each individually can
you make this maneuver appear as one consistent smooth move.
Begin with
two poles spaced about four feet apart. Ride your horse toward
them, aiming directly down the center. When you’re about
a horse-length away, stop and stand. Here’s where the first
mistake is often made. The rider misjudges the distance needed
so his horse can turn around without hitting the poles. You
want to be close to them, but not hit them. Now, count to five,
and then ask for a slow half turn on the forehand. Don’t
rush this or you’ll over-cue your horse, causing his rear
to end up off center. Here’s the second place folks have
problems. Instead of going slowly and having the horse move
a few steps at a time, they rush the horse and he goes past
the poles. Then the rider has to cue him back to the center.
Teaching your horse to move his rear with a turn on the forehand
is a delicate balancing act. You want to teach him to move over
on your leg cue, but if you over do it, you’ll end up with
a “swishy” horse, one that swishes his rump from side
to side when he’s nervous. That’s why, when asking
for the turn on the forehand, you go a few steps at a time with
pauses in between the steps. Then, once your horse understands
the exercise, use it sparingly.
When your
horse’s rump is centered between the poles, stop, take
a deep breath and sit still for a few seconds. This is the third
place most folks have problems. Instead of allowing themselves
and their horses a few seconds to collect their thoughts, the
rider immediately asks the horse to back. He responds by stumbling
backward, perhaps hitting the pole which causes the rider to
try to “correct” him. This only has to happen a few
times before the horse looses confidence in his rider and refuses
to back.
By stopping,
your horse can settle and you can check his position in regard
to the poles. This spot causes lots of problems. If your horse
won’t stand still here, don’t ask for the back. Instead
ride him forward, make a large circle and try your approach
again. Approach from both directions and spend plenty of time
just standing. People don’t realize that teaching a horse
to simply stand still is the most important lesson that the
horse will ever learn.
When you
can calmly position your horse and he’ll stand centered
between the poles, you’re ready to advance. Without leaning
over, look down your leg at the pole and check your spacing.
Sit straight in the saddle, look ahead and slowly ask your horse
to back a step or two. Stop and recheck your spacing. Proceed
until you’ve cleared the pole by at least two steps then
turn your horse either left or right and ride away. When you
can do this quietly, advance by backing out of the poles, stopping,
then doing a half turn on the haunches. Once your horse understands
this, vary your routine. Position your horse, but instead of
backing through the poles each time, after standing for a bit,
try riding forward or turning left or right. You don’t
want your horse to anticipate backing each time you put him
in position. .As you progress, make the obstacle more challenging
by bringing the poles closer together or raising them about
six inches. With his rider’s help, a well-trained horse
should have no problem calmly backing straight through a set
of poles spaced about two-feet apart. It just takes practice,
patience and getting back to the basics.
Part
1
Photos by:
SUSAN DUDASIK
The advice
given here is meant only as a guide. If you have serious problems
with a horse it should be taken to a professional trainer.
Susan Dudasik
Shadow Rider Equine News
srider@salmoninternet.com
Member: Idaho Press Club
North American Saddle Mule Association
Idaho Representative for American Trail Horse Association
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Susan Dudasik
Shadow Rider Equine News
srider@salmoninternet.com
Member: Idaho Press Club
North American Saddle Mule Association
