Cantering Roll Backs


OK...last time we learned what a Roll Back was...a Turn on the haunches.  You did this slowly and from a stand still.

Now pick up your canter. 

Ride him about ten feet off the rail (one horse length) 

Now half way down the side, stop. 

Completely. 

Now take your inside hand and leg and turn him on his haunches 180 degrees TOWARDS the rail. 

Once you are facing the opposite direction, hesitate only for a moment at the end of your spin.  Just long enough to correct your seat, legs and hands, now still using that same leg (should now be your outside leg) ask him to canter off. 

Do this again in this direction.

Do this a few times during your ride...not always in the same spot.  Not always one right after another.

This will teach your horse to canter off of his haunches rather then stepping into it with his front end.  Horses tend to pull themselves into a canter with their shoulders...that's where all that frustrating trotting comes in.  We don't want that.  We want him sitting back on his haunches and cantering off by elevating his shoulder and stepping UP into it.

This is a great exercise for the horse that travels on the forehand, or the horse that runs into his canter...and that, we all know, is unacceptable.

One thing about this exercise.....it's not for every time you ride.  Do this once every other week.  Don't burn him out on it...and don't piss him off, or make him to anxious.

There ya go....you're finally riding that hunter like a reiner!
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
  • No comments exist for this post.
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Name (required)

 Email (will not be published) (required)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.