N37 - help needed and rein back

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Oh my god... I have just looked at N37 (I am riding it on Sunday) and it has scared me witless
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Grace has not learned rein back yet (I always thought that was an Elem move) so how on earth can I teach her this is just two days
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I just need her to step backwards, I know it will be a 4 or a 5 but at least it will not be a 0
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Also, is there only one medium canter in N37?

Panic, panic, panic!!!
 
Oh dear I did this at the riding club qualifiers and tried to get rein back in a week, after much tears and frustation we did the prelim!

Ryu will do it now, but sometimetimes just gawks, I'm going to avoid until we've mastered it, good luck x
 
It really isn't that hard, so don't worry.

I would start to teach it in hand first, to make sure she is confident and goes back smoothly.

When this has come good, I would ask for a nice square halt (when you are riding her) against the long side. After softening her down, move your weight slightly forward in the saddle (ie very slightly leaning forward), move your legs a couple of inches back on her sides and squeeze. The first couple of times it may help to get someone to stand at her head and encourage her. Lots of pats and reward when she moves back and then a nice forward walk on.

I would concentrate on getting a few clear steps whilst maintaining the outline rather than making the walk, halt, rein back and then move off too accurate.

Good luck.
 
Personally i wouldnt lean forwards.

Get a good square halt, then lighten your seat (this is really important as otherwise you wil be blocking her over her back) move your legs slightly back, keep your hands closed around the reins and put your legs on. Your hands stop her from moving forwards, but you must stay relaxed in your upper body and not pull on the reins. Prefereably get someone to stand on the floor with you and push her back on her chest the first couple of times so she understands what you are asking of her.

If she goes crooked immediatly move forwards, dont keep trying to correct it.
 
In addition to comments already made - the horse hopefully already knows the word 'back' from being handled on the ground. So to help you initally, do use your voice as well. Would suggest you try it at the end of a side first - i.e. when facing a fence, as again this will help explain what you want. Do be careful to block only with your hands, i.e. don't pull back.

If you feel you need a tiny 'cheat', always say the word 'back' in a deep voice & when it comes to the test, you can use the same noise/tone without actually opening your mouth!

People always say not to over-do practising tests because the horse can anticipate, but as you don't have the time to properly TEACH the horse on this occassion, I'd try to use anticipation to your advantage - once you've moved on from using the fence to help explain what you want, try to do it in the same place as the test - especially in your warm up before you go in. You can even do it when you enter the arena before the bell goes - there's nothing to say you can't 'school' whilst you're waiting.

OK, not the text book answer but a minor quick fix every now & again is not the end of the world & then hopefully you'll have time to teach it more properly before your next test. Good luck!
 
Yep, just the one. Just hope the doors arent open or you may not be able to stop until you get outside (happened in one test I saw, it cracked me up)
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[ QUOTE ]
Personally i wouldnt lean forwards.

Get a good square halt, then lighten your seat (this is really important as otherwise you wil be blocking her over her back) move your legs slightly back, keep your hands closed around the reins and put your legs on. Your hands stop her from moving forwards, but you must stay relaxed in your upper body and not pull on the reins. Prefereably get someone to stand on the floor with you and push her back on her chest the first couple of times so she understands what you are asking of her.

If she goes crooked immediatly move forwards, dont keep trying to correct it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I totally agree - good luck
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Becki, that is totally normal for horses who have just learned how to rein back. I presume you mean that every time you halt she now goes backwards all the time. Of course - she's just learned a new trick and wants to please you!

Ride trot or walk halt transitions, maintaining the halt for just as long as you can without her shifting her weight (split second is ok to start). but make sure your upwards transition is clearly asked for. This will reinforce the difference between the rein back aids and the go forward aids. She will quickly lean what you are asking her to do.
 
Thanks madmare... exactly that and once she starts going backwards she just loves it
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But she has got her knickers in a twist a few times and had a complete paddy but this morning she was much more understanding. The problem was she didn't understand, whereas this morning I broke everything back down into pieces and we had some fantastic work
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She seems to love going backwards, her back comes right under her and her work after it is unbelievable. Does it sound silly to say it has taken her whole outline more elastic?
 
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