By Lisa Wieben and Birgit Stutz | Photos by Lisa Wieben Handler - Andrea Morrison, Horse - MCR Silver Dream, 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding
Whether we like it or not, winter is here to stay. While some riders are fortunate to have access to a heated indoor arena, or at least an indoor arena, many riders don’t. Cold temperatures, snow, ice, uneven footing, and short daylight hours can make it difficult to safely exercise our horses. Don’t feel guilty. There is nothing wrong with letting your horse have a break. It may be beneficial for him physically and mentally to have a break from his regular workout (as long as he still gets some turnout).
The handler’s position is between the neck and shoulders with her hand underneath the throat in line with the middle of the chest. The horse is stepping nicely back in diagonal pairs.
owever, if you are looking for things to do with your horse that keeps your horse and you in shape, as well as keeping you warm… there are lots of groundwork exercises you can do. Here’s a groundwork exercise that we like. It’s also great for horses who can’t be ridden. The exercise can be done anywhere, as long as the footing is reasonably even. In this exercise the horse will first be learning how to back-up, which is a two-beat movement where the horse moves backward in diagonal pairs. Many horses can be lazy in the back-up and back incorrectly in four beats (each foot moving separately), drag their feet back, or invert (lifting their head and hollowing their back). As you move through the exercises the horse will become lighter and more true in the back-up as well as develop more push forward when asked to walk or jog/trot forward. Ideally you want to start the exercise along a wall or fence, but it can also be done without it. If you need a refresher on proper leading, check out our articles in the March and April 2019 issues of Saddle Up (see www.saddleup. ca, click on ‘Archive’). You can also find the articles at https:// fallingstarranch.wordpress.com/. To cue the horse to back-up Start by standing next to your horse’s shoulder or just between the shoulder and throat, facing forward. Hold the rope like a rein, with your wrist turned so the thumb is level. The basic hand position is under the horse’s throat directly in line with the middle of the body in order to keep the horse straight. Keep your body aligned with the horse. Your belly button (core) should be facing straight ahead, in alignment with the centre of the horse’s chest. Imagine a railroad track, with you walking on the one track and the horse’s spine following the other track. The two tracks are always aligned (parallel or congruent). To back the horse, stand tall beside the horse and holding pressure on the lead to prevent the horse from stepping forward, cue the horse to move forward into the blocking pressure by clucking and either tapping with the whip near the flank or using your lead rope behind you. Once the horse feels the block in front he should round and step backward. At this point many horses will push through the block and step
10 • DECEMBER 2021
SADDLEUP.CA
