Teaching yearling Filly to back...

PaintedWonders · 12-07-2005, 09:54 AM

A friend of mine just got a yearling filly and has been working with haltering and leading quite a bit... but when it comes to backing, no matter what she tries the filly won't back up..she just throws her head a little (not upwards, mainly kinda sideways) and at times even tries to take a step forward.
What advice should I give her? What works for you guys?

Skippy! · 12-07-2005, 10:04 AM

Have you tried using the lead rope around her chest? She should still be small enough for this to work... Its hard for me to explain, but hold your right hand over the fillyâ€™s back, and take part of the lead in your hand. Then hold the rope across her chest, and use your left hand to hold it firm over the chest, but also keep a feel on the head (thatâ€™s what is hardest for me to describe) when you ask her to back, pull and see saw with the rope across her chest. The MOMENT she takes so much as a footstep back, stop immediately, pet her, praise her, give her love, etc. Repeat the process, and eventually, she will learn =)

If a lead rope doesnâ€™t work, maybe use some of that braided horse hair rope stuffâ€¦ the horses hate the feel of it, and move away from it (thatâ€™s how I got one 2 year old in training to neck rein)

Good luck, let us know how your friend can pull it off! =)

**edited to add**

Also, if she moves forward like that, tell your friend to get infront of her and push her back. Sometimes they are small enough to actually have it work! Haha! Dont do that to train her to go back, more to let her know "hey.. dont move forward"

im sorry for being so confusing!

leadmare · 12-07-2005, 11:23 AM

What I do is:

Standing with my shoulder at their head, lead in the left hand, apply light pressure to the halter in a downward, backward, motion toward the center of the chest. With the right hand thumb, apply pressure to the center of the chest where the neck ties into the chest and say back. One step and drop the pressure and praise, repeat. Continue repeating, asking for more steps, with lighter pressure as she progresses. Eventually, all you'll have to do is point at her chest and ask

Use the pressure on the nose to guide and not to push her back. She may set her head against you and this is not what you want. You may have to play around to find the right spot on the chest. At first, you may have to wiggle your thumb with hard pressure on the chest to help her figure out what you want. Once found, it's magic

Good luck

shyfilly78 · 12-07-2005, 11:28 AM

what the filly has learned is by throwing her head she has released the pressure...she needs to learn to give to the pressure, so it is very important that you continue to ask until you get the desired response...then a very fast release and praise...

It would also help to work with her on a wall...(with the owner on the inside) so that the horse only really has the option to move forward or move backward...the owner will have more control as the filly can't swing her butt out and if she tries to swing it in, the owner can simply arc her head to the inside to straighten her hind end out without adjusting the pressure....

**I would not get out in front of the horse as she may try to run you over if she gets spooked or frustrated enough**

Remember, baby steps and lots of praise! Good luck!

**TDH** · 12-07-2005, 11:31 AM

I have done the pressure on the chest, and if that doesn't work, I've used the "tapping" method. Very simple: ask the horse to back, put slight "backing" pressure on the halter (don't forcefully push, just ask) and lightly tap the front of the foremost front leg, between knee and fetlock, with a riding crop or something of the sort. The horse should want to move away from the annoying tapping, and back a step away from it. Then do the other front foremost leg... until same thing, you eventually just need to point. It's worked for me!

LiquidStarlight · 12-07-2005, 11:34 AM

I do what Leadmare says

Although with my filly Dancer, I stand in front of her, holding the leadrope in my hands, making a straight line sideways with it. I put the pressure on her nose (chest doesn't work for her) with the lead rope and as soon as she takes one step backwards, I release and reward. It's hard for me to describe, but I put the pressure on her nose, and now she backs like a pro

PaintedWonders · 12-09-2005, 11:08 AM

Thanks guys! I'll let her know your suggestions, I'm sure pretty soon now she'll be backing like a charm!

12-07-2005, 09:54 AM
PaintedWonders Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hillsboro, Ohio Posts: 1,242	Teaching yearling Filly to back... A friend of mine just got a yearling filly and has been working with haltering and leading quite a bit... but when it comes to backing, no matter what she tries the filly won't back up..she just throws her head a little (not upwards, mainly kinda sideways) and at times even tries to take a step forward. What advice should I give her? What works for you guys? __________________ Please Help Support The Elizabeth Theofilos Equine Dream Fund Visit us at Cedar Hills Equines!

12-07-2005, 10:04 AM
Skippy! Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 190	Have you tried using the lead rope around her chest? She should still be small enough for this to work... Its hard for me to explain, but hold your right hand over the fillyâ€™s back, and take part of the lead in your hand. Then hold the rope across her chest, and use your left hand to hold it firm over the chest, but also keep a feel on the head (thatâ€™s what is hardest for me to describe) when you ask her to back, pull and see saw with the rope across her chest. The MOMENT she takes so much as a footstep back, stop immediately, pet her, praise her, give her love, etc. Repeat the process, and eventually, she will learn =) If a lead rope doesnâ€™t work, maybe use some of that braided horse hair rope stuffâ€¦ the horses hate the feel of it, and move away from it (thatâ€™s how I got one 2 year old in training to neck rein) Good luck, let us know how your friend can pull it off! =) edited to add Also, if she moves forward like that, tell your friend to get infront of her and push her back. Sometimes they are small enough to actually have it work! Haha! Dont do that to train her to go back, more to let her know "hey.. dont move forward" im sorry for being so confusing!

12-07-2005, 11:23 AM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,099	What I do is: Standing with my shoulder at their head, lead in the left hand, apply light pressure to the halter in a downward, backward, motion toward the center of the chest. With the right hand thumb, apply pressure to the center of the chest where the neck ties into the chest and say back. One step and drop the pressure and praise, repeat. Continue repeating, asking for more steps, with lighter pressure as she progresses. Eventually, all you'll have to do is point at her chest and ask Use the pressure on the nose to guide and not to push her back. She may set her head against you and this is not what you want. You may have to play around to find the right spot on the chest. At first, you may have to wiggle your thumb with hard pressure on the chest to help her figure out what you want. Once found, it's magic Good luck __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

12-07-2005, 11:28 AM
shyfilly78 Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stanford, IL Posts: 689	what the filly has learned is by throwing her head she has released the pressure...she needs to learn to give to the pressure, so it is very important that you continue to ask until you get the desired response...then a very fast release and praise... It would also help to work with her on a wall...(with the owner on the inside) so that the horse only really has the option to move forward or move backward...the owner will have more control as the filly can't swing her butt out and if she tries to swing it in, the owner can simply arc her head to the inside to straighten her hind end out without adjusting the pressure.... I would not get out in front of the horse as she may try to run you over if she gets spooked or frustrated enough Remember, baby steps and lots of praise! Good luck! __________________ If your looking for something dead broke, don\'t look at my horses but look at me! http://www.geocities.com/shyfilly78/wwpq.html

12-07-2005, 11:31 AM
TDH Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,397	I have done the pressure on the chest, and if that doesn't work, I've used the "tapping" method. Very simple: ask the horse to back, put slight "backing" pressure on the halter (don't forcefully push, just ask) and lightly tap the front of the foremost front leg, between knee and fetlock, with a riding crop or something of the sort. The horse should want to move away from the annoying tapping, and back a step away from it. Then do the other front foremost leg... until same thing, you eventually just need to point. It's worked for me!

12-07-2005, 11:34 AM
LiquidStarlight Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 865	I do what Leadmare says Although with my filly Dancer, I stand in front of her, holding the leadrope in my hands, making a straight line sideways with it. I put the pressure on her nose (chest doesn't work for her) with the lead rope and as soon as she takes one step backwards, I release and reward. It's hard for me to describe, but I put the pressure on her nose, and now she backs like a pro __________________ There are times when you can trust a horse, times when you can't, and times when you have to.

12-09-2005, 11:08 AM
PaintedWonders Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hillsboro, Ohio Posts: 1,242	Thanks guys! I'll let her know your suggestions, I'm sure pretty soon now she'll be backing like a charm! __________________ Please Help Support The Elizabeth Theofilos Equine Dream Fund Visit us at Cedar Hills Equines!