Teaching to move away from the leg

[Daphnelia]

as it says really

Delilah had been ridden about 6 times now since she was backed, mostly on a lead or being lunged. She will turn and stop, but when my helper is not holding her, she will walk backwards when I squeeze with my legs to ask her to walk on. If helper is leading her she is fine. Any suggestions? She is 9 and the first pony I have backed myself. I am asking her to walk on using a voice command and squeezing with my legs. I'm hoping its just patience and she will learn what it is I want.
Please no critisism about me being inexperienced in backing, we all have to start somewhere.

 

[alicedove]

That is fabulous! I think you're doing absolutely the right thing. Personally I am not experienced in backing or breaking either. i have seen it, done breaking to drive, but not backed one all by myself. You have a helper, sounds like the pony is lovely and calm and happy, everything great!

Perhaps a carrot on a stick? No seriously.... time will do it of course. You kick and helper leads, maybe three or four goes and it should come.

Can she take a tap with the whip on her back end?

 

[BB2008]

In my experience backing the older horses takes a little longer as they seem less willing to learn and obey commands. I would continue transitions on the lunge gradually lessening the amount of input the helper has and increasing rider input, therefore gradually fading out the helper and leaving it all to the rider, at this point i would begin working off the lunge. Also wouldn't worry after only six times with you on her back - she will learn. Good luck.

 

[Sarah1]

Maybe try teaching her from the ground with your hand when grooming or a lunge whip and then hopefully when you're on board and brush her sides she'll associate it with moving away?!

 

[Shilasdair]

Well done, you sound like a very patient and thoughtful horse trainer.
Your mare doesn't know that leg aids mean forward...so it isn't fair to smack her with the whip...she might get the idea...but she isn't going to think work is much fun

Instead, you need to go back to the point at which you backed her on the lunge. I assume you taught her voice commands for 'walk on' 'trot' and 'whoa' or 'halt' on the lunge, and that she understood them? Well the next step is to lunge her with the lunger in control, and the rider just sitting passively on her til she gets used to the weight of the rider and can adjust her balance. Then, as the lunger says 'walk on' the rider needs to simultaneously squeeze with legs, and reward with pats, etc...if she gets it right. Gradually transfer the lead to the rider...so the squeeze comes first, and the verbal 'walk on' comes as a back up. Eventually abandon the verbal command entirely and praise mare every time she reacts correctly. Then unclip the lunge line and do the same round the school. Once she is happy walking on, doing a little trot, and halting, then take her baby hacks following a steady companion so she has the urge to go forward.
Hope this helps.
S

 

[cobden99]

Completely agree with Shilasdair, sounds like you have done a good job so far but best to get the voice commands really established so they respond to them first - followed by the relevant aid. You can then start weaning them off the voice. When you start hacking them out its nice to know they know what 'whoa' or whatever word you use for slow down means in a tricky situation !

 

[Daphnelia]

Thanks so much for all the replies, some great advice which i will put into practice today

She's a little star and does try her best, want to make sure I get it right.
Thanks S, I do try.. always worried I'm getting it wrong though