Stopping and Backing Problems..

Goldun Acres · 10-03-2007, 04:47 PM

This isn't a new problem for us. Boots and I have always had this problem. She gets tough mouthed and fights the bit when asked to stop and back up. Now, with time, I have gotten a better(still isn't very pretty) stop on her but she still refuses to back up. This horse flat out refuses to back up, and trying to "push her back" with my leg really just makes her worse. If I do get a back up, its 2-3 micro mini steps that are more from me muscling her then anything.

I ride in a snaffle bit and she is really light on everything else. I ask with my seat, ask with my hands, ask with my leg, she just doesn't get the backing up thing..I am just totally lost on what to do to get this improved.

Any input is appreciated..

She also refuses from the ground with a bit but will back up fairly well with a halter..

**seerfarm** · 10-03-2007, 04:55 PM

Had the same problem and posted a thread here on 9/17. Beth 55051 and cutter 123 really helped. Get a chance look it up. Hope it helps you as it did me.

**beth55051** · 10-03-2007, 05:55 PM

Here it is:

Backing under saddle....

Jadesmygirl · 10-03-2007, 06:10 PM

Beth you beat me to it! Glad you posted that as it is good advice.

I was going to tell you Goldun Acres, you are not alone with this problem, but, since I am a complete imbecile when it comes to horses, I don't know if you will find that supportive or not.

Another wise person here recommended another great idea for me too ( on the ground)- hopefully she will come along and post it herself...

Good luck!

**gbarmranch** · 10-03-2007, 06:12 PM

That post had tons of great info.. and it worked very well for me..

Hopefully it will for you too!

**seerfarm** · 10-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Jadesmygirl. how is that working out by the way?

Jadesmygirl · 10-03-2007, 08:18 PM

I pm'ed you seerfarm, but I will say it worked like a charm the one time the weather has allowed me to try it!! Thank you!

I am very excited to work on it some more. My mare is just as you describe yours, GA, except she does not like to back even with a halter.

Goldun Acres · 10-04-2007, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadesmygirl

I pm'ed you seerfarm, but I will say it worked like a charm the one time the weather has allowed me to try it!! Thank you!

I am very excited to work on it some more. My mare is just as you describe yours, GA, except she does not like to back even with a halter.

My mare does not like to back on the ground either but she will. I use rope halters most of the time, and she responds well to them.

I must be tensing up when asking for the back up. I try to do it smoothly yet I think I am probably locking my hips. I'll try again today, hopefully it will have dried up some!

cutter123 · 10-05-2007, 01:17 PM

hi! Have you ground driven your horse? One thing I find helps "unlock" a horse that is super sticky in the backup is backing them up in driving llines.
If you have good timing with pressure and release, you can really get the point across and they can understand that set hands means back feet move backwards without you in the saddle for added confusion. Once the cue is established, it will help you when you get back in the saddle.

A lot of the times when I see someone having problems with the backup, some of it has to do with their timing. The horse gets sticky and tosses his head, etc, and the person releases their hands, releases before the back feet come unstuck. This teaches the horse basically that it doesn't have to back up.
This is on top of a rider with a stiff back, which makes it hard for the horse to back up.

Try the driving thing if you have the skill. (I can explain further if you need it)
And then when you get back on, make sure your back is soft, your legs are right underneath you, and you aren't inadvertently releasing your horse at the wrong time, before you get the point across.

Good luck!

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10-03-2007, 04:47 PM
Goldun Acres Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern MN Posts: 1,371	Stopping and Backing Problems.. This isn't a new problem for us. Boots and I have always had this problem. She gets tough mouthed and fights the bit when asked to stop and back up. Now, with time, I have gotten a better(still isn't very pretty) stop on her but she still refuses to back up. This horse flat out refuses to back up, and trying to "push her back" with my leg really just makes her worse. If I do get a back up, its 2-3 micro mini steps that are more from me muscling her then anything. I ride in a snaffle bit and she is really light on everything else. I ask with my seat, ask with my hands, ask with my leg, she just doesn't get the backing up thing..I am just totally lost on what to do to get this improved. Any input is appreciated.. She also refuses from the ground with a bit but will back up fairly well with a halter.. __________________ "And, by the way, I adore you... in frightening, dangerous ways!" - Edward Cullen

10-03-2007, 04:55 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,237	Had the same problem and posted a thread here on 9/17. Beth 55051 and cutter 123 really helped. Get a chance look it up. Hope it helps you as it did me. __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland

10-03-2007, 05:55 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,870	Here it is: Backing under saddle.... __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

10-03-2007, 06:10 PM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,543	Beth you beat me to it! Glad you posted that as it is good advice. I was going to tell you Goldun Acres, you are not alone with this problem, but, since I am a complete imbecile when it comes to horses, I don't know if you will find that supportive or not. Another wise person here recommended another great idea for me too ( on the ground)- hopefully she will come along and post it herself... Good luck!

10-03-2007, 06:12 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,575	That post had tons of great info.. and it worked very well for me.. Hopefully it will for you too! __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

10-03-2007, 06:16 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,237	Jadesmygirl. how is that working out by the way? __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland

10-03-2007, 08:18 PM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,543	I pm'ed you seerfarm, but I will say it worked like a charm the one time the weather has allowed me to try it!! Thank you! I am very excited to work on it some more. My mare is just as you describe yours, GA, except she does not like to back even with a halter. __________________ Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

10-05-2007, 01:17 PM
cutter123 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cali Posts: 475	hi! Have you ground driven your horse? One thing I find helps "unlock" a horse that is super sticky in the backup is backing them up in driving llines. If you have good timing with pressure and release, you can really get the point across and they can understand that set hands means back feet move backwards without you in the saddle for added confusion. Once the cue is established, it will help you when you get back in the saddle. A lot of the times when I see someone having problems with the backup, some of it has to do with their timing. The horse gets sticky and tosses his head, etc, and the person releases their hands, releases before the back feet come unstuck. This teaches the horse basically that it doesn't have to back up. This is on top of a rider with a stiff back, which makes it hard for the horse to back up. Try the driving thing if you have the skill. (I can explain further if you need it) And then when you get back on, make sure your back is soft, your legs are right underneath you, and you aren't inadvertently releasing your horse at the wrong time, before you get the point across. Good luck!