Horse working from behind?

[Grace1020]

I'm having some lessons in a few weeks/months but until then is there any exercises I can do to lift his back? His legs come under him pretty well naturally, thanks.

 

[Pigeon]

Polework, basic lateral work, and hills

 

[Simon Battram]

I'm having some lessons in a few weeks/months but until then is there any exercises I can do to lift his back? His legs come under him pretty well naturally, thanks.

Loads, where do we start!!

The first comment is remember is not just about the back coming up but up and swinging.

- Looseness: starting with correct long and low, bending and arena patterns
- straightness: working on the stiffer versus elongated sides
- strengthening work: transitions, pole work, lateral work etc
Simon

 

[Cortez]

Getting a horse up in his back and wither is really about throughness - his correct reaction to your legs, accepted by your hands. Lots of work required, mostly of the transition variety, and definately heading towards the collection department. Lateral work is OK (although I think many people put too much emphasis on this, going sideways before they're getting the forwards right), but I would work on the straightness and obedience to the leg first. Honestly, I would wait until you have your lesson before you go doing anything radically different to what you are doing now: isn't that why you have lessons?