Ask your horse to back up lightly and willingly with the halter for a positive horse-showing experience.
Backing your horse is a common maneuver in showmanship classes, so it’s important to do it correctly and seemingly effortlessly.
Objectives:
- To cause your horse to back up with very light action on his halter
- To obtain positive responses and flexion
How will this help me?
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If I can get my horse to back up in response to a very light action on his halter, I will diminish his “opposition reflex.” The natural reflex of all horses is instinctively to oppose pressure instead of yielding to it. Having a horse that yields to the slightest demand will allow me to gain respect and safety, increase control and obtain a light, vertical flexion that will prepare my horse for collection and improve his stops.
CLICK HERE to view AQHA’s Fundamentals of Horsemanship which offers this advice.
