My mare will seldom back in a straight line. If I position her against the fence she runs my leg into it (and no i’m not inadvertently asking her to). I’ve tried poles on the ground but she doesn’t care if she bumps them. Does anyone have any tips/tricks to train a horse to back straight?
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First of all, keep her calm. If she starts getting upset, stop what you’re doing and help her find a calm center again. I’m not saying to ‘reward’ her with a cessation of work, just bring her focus back to where she can calmly pay attention to you and your cues. They can’t think or learn well when they are upset.
Secondly, teach her to move away from your leg. This is the basis of any lateral work, whether frontwards, backwards, or purely sideways. Many people start with a turn on the forehand, then sidepass, then turn on the hindquarter. Get these responses solidly confirmed in her mind and body.
Take it one step at a time, literally. If she takes one single step out of the straight line, stop and ask for that lateral response, to bring her back into the line of motion that you want. Ask for another step rearward and if she feels as if she’s drifting sideways, use your leg to put her back in line. Perhaps a chalk line will help you see what is ‘straight’, or if you train in tall grass (I didn’t have an arena in several places where I boarded and trained), you can mow a narrow path. This helps the horse understand also, as it takes more effort to walk or back through tall grass than a short, mowed path.
As soon as you get a good response, stop all pressure/cues/aids and relax your butt muscles (the horse can feel this through the saddle!). Let her relax and understand that she has responded correctly. I teach my horses to turn to get a treat when I tap the side of their neck.
As she learns that she can earn her treat or rest, start requiring more steps in a straight line. Never punish a horse in this kind of training. It will only distract them from the learning process. If they give a wrong answer, ignore it and just ask again calmly.
She will soon start to give you the response you seek.
Whilst you are asking her to back up, have someone standing on the ground with a dressage whip. If the person on the ground stands by your mare’s shoulder and taps the whip longways on her chest this should encourage her to back straight.
hope this helps!
When I train my colts I just apply steady and equal pressure to the reins. It’s all about balance. Sit straight, relaxed, and have your hands and legs in place. Where ever your legs are, there should not be one closer or farther from the body of the horse than the other, and you might want to create a pyramid with your hands. Bend your elbows for more fluid movement, and keep your hands one each side of the swell of the saddle. Do not saw back and forth, just apply equal pressure. If your horse doesn’t give, bump her, or pull your hands back (at the same time) and then release and give her a chance to move.