Notes on equitation and horse training/Question 14
XIV.
Backing—Method of execution.—The first lesson in backing may be given dismounted and in the following manner:
Being on the left side, With the reins in the left hand and the whip in the right, stimulate the hind quarters by a touch with the whip and take advantage of this mobility to exact one or two steps backward.
The horse should be made to move to the front again immediately by leading him forward with the left hand, and, if necessary, by touching him lightly with the whip.
To give this same lesson mounted, begin by closing the legs as in moving to the front and then move the horse backward by leaning back slightly and by pulling on the reins with gradually increasing force.
Here we see a striking example of the principle of starting everything with the movement to the front. The action of the legs before the action of the hands is a fundamental idea to be inculcated in the mind of every trooper. In backing, the legs are used first to produce the movement to the front and the hand is used next to transform the forward impulse into a backward movement.
After a few steps backward, start the horse forward again, halt him and caress him.
If a horse refuses to obey, the instructor takes him by the reins and causes him to execute the movement as in dismounted work.
If the horse braces himself on his hind legs at the moment that the hand acts to make him move backward, the instructor moves him forward a step or two or makes him swing his haunches slightly and takes advantage of this mobility to force him backward.
This movement is well executed when the horse moves backward step by step and voluntarily moves to the front again as soon as the trooper releases the hand.
If, instead of backing slowly and step by step, the horse hurries the movement and is about to come down upon the haunches, the trooper promptly stops all action of the hand [1] and corrects the horse by attacking him vigorously with the legs or with the spurs to push him forward again.
This exercise to be insisted upon in what cases?—Backing is a suppling exercise for the back as well as the haunches, and it is an indispensable movement for the saddle horse. Yet it should not be abused, particularly in the early stages of training, as resistance will eventually be developed. Moreover, it is not suitable for all horses indiscriminately but should be used especially for those that have difficulty in bringing the hind legs under or that have too much weight on the forehand.
Individual work (at will).—Nearly all instructors have the bad habit of grouping young horses too much. The greater part of a drill is devoted to work with fixed distances, which gives the horses the idea of sticking in ranks. We have already said that it is better to work without regard to distances. And from the very beginning it is also essential to execute all movements in both directions and at will. If, in addition, we give a few outdoor rides in pairs, the young horses will become quiet, free movers and the remainder of the training exercises will be that much easier.
Condition of the horse at the end of the work in the snaffle bridle.—At the end of instruction in the snaffle bridle, the horse should be willing on the road and tranquil in the riding hall. He executes correctly the movement
of haunches in, shoulder in, and two track work at a walk and at a slow trot. He takes up the gallop easily on either foot by increasing the gait from the trot. He has found his balance while moving freely to the front, a double condition which is satisfactorily fulfilled if he keeps the reins taut without ever bearing on the hand. His gaits are clean; he can lengthen the walk without jigging and the trot without becoming disunited; his wind has been developed and he can keep up a lengthened gallop for several minutes.
When this entire programme has been carried out and especially when the horse begins to pull on the hand, it is time to take up the double bridle.
- ↑ As a matter of fact the trooper has probably lost all action of the hand because in this faulty movement the horse is invariably behind the bit.