Winter Training Exercises Part II- Backing

Hey Everyone!
Sorry I have been avoiding my blog. Anyways I decided to put together some great backing exercises that you can do with your horse. Backing up your horse is a great way to build muscles that help work their hindquarters. If you have a horse that has issues with stopping smoothly these exercises will help your stops immensely! Backing helps build muscles in their back and hindquarters that help them to tuck their hind end underneath them properly.
Things to remember about backing up your horse:
-backing is not a natural movement for horses..
-backing can be very frustrating to horses because it is not part of their instincts.. we have taught them how to on command (when was the last time you saw your horse backing up around the pasture?)
- Do not focus your training session completely on backing!!!! Try to mix up other training exercises with your backing exercises. Try to limit your focus on backing exercises to only 25-30% of your training session. For example: work on circles then a few minutes of a backing exercise, then work on side passing  backing exercise, stops, circles,.....

Here are the exercises in order of basic to difficult:

1. Collection & Backing Exercise: Great way to teach younger horses how to back up smoothly while being collected.

Step 1: At a stand still ask your horse to collect (bend at the pole): If your horse has issues at     bending at the pole just make sure there nose is somewhat tucked in. This really helps teach your horse to back up properly by making them pick up there front and back legs. It also really helps them to use their hindquarters properly.

Step 2: Once your horse is collected ask them to move backwards 3-4 steps while staying collected: Most horses will try to lift up their head/neck and avoid the collection while backing up. Try to be consistent at keeping them collected for a few steps at a slow speed. At first try for 1-3 steps backwards while being collected then release the pressure. Once you horse feels comfortable with a few steps try for more steps at a slow speed. Try adding more speed to your backup by adding more leg pressure.. Try to keep your horses head collected at a faster rate.. (this can be tricky)


2. Stop, Back and Forward Exercise: This is one of my favorite exercises. Not only does it work on backing but it also helps with stopping!

Step 1. Walk your horse at first.- Advance to a trot then canter when your horse is ready
Step 2. Ask your horse to stop. -Use your reins as a last resort. Make sure you say Whoa and sit dawn hard in your saddle at first. If your horse does not stop after 2-3 strides pull slightly on one rein and use more pressure if they are still avoiding you.
Step 3. Immediately ask your horse to back about 5-10 steps.
Step 4. Ask your horse to stand for a few seconds then move forward and repeat exercise.
* you can also incorporate collection in this exercise. Collect your horse before you ask them to stop release the pressure ask them to stop then try to back them up while being collected


3. Backing up in a Box: This is a great exercise to help back up your horse in a straight line. it also works on pivots.

Step 1. Start your box by backing up in a straight line 5-10 steps.
Step 2. Stop your horse, turn on the forehand 90 degrees or turn on the hind end 90 degrees
Step 3. Continue backing around your box. Repeat on opposite direction

4. Backing up around a Circle. This is a really hard exercise but works great for the horse

Step 1. Back your horse in a circle. Start out large then move to a smaller circle. Make sure your horse is curving his body in a c shape while backing. Your circles may start out really ob longed  keep practicing until your circle is very precise. This is a very hard exercise and you will notice which side your horse is bad at.

Comments are welcome!