teaching rein back?

[abi]

ive been starting to play with more lateral work and rein back and turns on the forehand with sox, but she just doesnt seem to get them

two different instructors have ended up getting on and trying leg yielding with her, after watching me struggle for ages, and they couldnt do it (and theyre both really good!) but i'm getting there eventually after a few months, so i reckon if we try hard enough we could get rein back.

the only problem is, i'm nearly always alone when i ride, so i cant have a helper. sox respects personal space, and moves back if i take a step towards her ect, and will move away on the ground, but its a bit of a confused mess when mounted!

its not crucial to learn it, i know shes only an ex riding school pont and she'll never be at the top, bt its something new to keep her interested!

[brigadier]

Hi Abi

Ensure she understands the voice command from the ground first.

Then when riding her walk her calmly forwards and ask very gently with your seat and legs for halt. (simply stop the rocking motion with your pelvis and close the whole length of your legs on her sides and then do a small block with your reins (not a pull back, just a feel on her mouth to say stop! Then immediately lift your seat slightly, place both legs back about six inches and put pressure on the reins- very light almost just vibrating the reins (it can help to widen and lower the reins slightly to put the bit on the bars of her mouth and say back, back very gently and calmly, if she tries any forward motion just block it with the reins- you are aiming for a 'give' at first thats all and it should be rewarded, then walk forwards. Repeat several times only asking for a give or one step back, as soon as she understands she will give you more.
Dont ever be tempted to pull back, or rock with your body or bum, or to kick- the aids for rein back are completely different and if you do anything else than Ive explained you will confuse her!

Some people will halt in front of a fence to do it but I find they simply focus on the fence and its counter productive. Once youve got it message again and I tell you how you can incorporate it into schooling for suppleness. Also if she has any hock pain (about 70-80% of horses have degenerative changes in the hock at some point) she will find it hard but it wont kill her just take one or two steps as a max if you think that may be a problem.

[racaille]

And a thought from me too: don't try to do too much rein back, as Brig says, just a step or two. And always finish by asking her to go forward again, with a pat, as a reward.
And Abi, if I catch you saying 'she's only an ex riding school pony' again, I shall beat you with a whippy stick!!!! ;D ONLY? She's yours and she's trying really hard for you - and well done you for getting better results than the 'really good' RIs! Shows you have a real bond.
This is going to be my crusade: I know there are some plods (many, perhaps) in riding schools - there have to be, for the novices. But in my experience the majority are a really kind bunch who do their best to understand the various and bizarre commands given them by riders of all levels!
We have two here, particularly, who are real plods for beginners. But put someone on them who knows what they are doing and they turn into Olympic contenders! OK, perhaps some slight exaggeration there, but you know what I mean!

[rocker]

my friend horse was western trained so she did back up for about 40 meters , but she always said dont go back from a stand still walk forward into it , if that makes sense

[vickii]

ye i agree with brig.. i have found that if you trot a circleand then do some trot hault transitions and then go from there.. lean slightly forward and do what brig said with the reins and keep talking to the horse.. once they have done one or two steps walk and trot so they dont get bored.. and change the rein to see which he is better on too xx

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good luck =]