Introduction
It is a great way for horses to learn to circle back. This can strengthen the horse’s hindquarters and increase their coordination. It also sharpens their response to commands. This article will show you how to teach your horse to circle back. It also contains tips to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
Preparation
Make sure your horse is calm and attentive before you begin the training process. To get your horse in the right mindset, start with some basic warm-up exercises such as trotting and walking circles. Once they feel relaxed and focused you can start the backing up process.
The Boundaries
It is essential to define the boundaries of the circle before you begin the process. To mark the area where the horse will be backing up, use poles or cones. These markers should be placed in a circle of around four to six meters in diameter. This will allow your horse to move freely without feeling constrained.
Begin with the basics
Once you have established the boundaries of your circle, you can begin to teach your horse how to go backwards. Begin by asking your horse for a few steps back and rewarding them with treats or a pat on the neck. Continue this until your horse is comfortable taking a few steps back.
The Circle is Moving in the Right Direction
After your horse has become comfortable backing up for a few steps you can teach them how to do it in a circle. Begin by placing your horse in the middle of the circle. Then ask them to move back a bit. Use a whip or another object to help them navigate around the circle. Reward them for completing a full circle by giving them a treat or a pat on the neck.
Complexify it
You can make the exercise more difficult once your horse is used to backing up in circles. You can start by asking your horse to back up in either a smaller circle or a figure-8 pattern. You can add more complex commands like backing up in a circle or in a spiral.
Accelerate the process
You can increase the speed of your horse’s exercise by encouraging them to progress. You can encourage your horse to move faster and reward him with a treat or a pat on the neck. This will improve their ability to respond to commands.
Conclusion
A great way to increase balance and flexibility is to teach horses to move in circles. As your horse becomes more comfortable with the exercise, you can start by setting the boundaries. Your horse will soon learn to back up in a circle easily with patience and practice.
FAQ
1. What size should the circle be
A circle should be approximately 4 to 6 meters in diameter. This will allow your horse to move freely without feeling constrained.
2. What are some other commands I can add?
After your horse has mastered the basics of the commands, you can add in more complex commands such as backing up in a diagonal or in a circular fashion. As your horse progresses, you can increase the speed of the exercise.
3. How can I best reward my horse?
A great way to encourage your horse’s progress is to reward them with a treat or a pat on the neck after they have completed a full circle. This will encourage your horse to continue trying, and make it easier.
Resources
Wikipedia – Horse Training
YouTube – How do you teach a horse to back up in a circle?