[Open_the_Gait]

i often see the random thread about backing, and i dont pay close attention to them, so ive gotten confused. some ppl say dont back them until they are like 5 or 6 years old. the first time i heard that i was like what?! why not? because i thought they meant 'back up' But then i figured out maybe thats some sort of british term to say riding- getting on their back. but then my friend bought a 5 year old horse that had been learning dressage, and when he was trying to back her up, she just wouldnt do it. she just threw her head and carried on. so he thought her wolf teeth were bothering her so he pulled them out. but after that she still wouldnt budge, and she was even difficult in a halter. then he finally called the previous owner, who said that they had never taught her to back up! thats crazy! a horse should know all that stuff when they are a yearling! but she said dressage horses never learn it until they are 2nd level which is about 5 years old! so now im just really confused. why not back a horse till they are old?
sry for all the run-ons

[Blistering Winds]

Some people don't back up their horses until they are 3 yrs or more. It is hard on their back and hocks as this is not a normal "manuver" for a horse.

Then there are those that show, will back a yearling as soon as possible.

I personally teach all my babies at the beginning LONG before I get on. Backing up is a very important training tool I use to save my rear when things get out of hand.

[Open_the_Gait]

exactly what i do BW. i dont understand why someone wouldnt at least teach them HOW to do it on command. its not like they have to do it very well or very often. and it is a natural movement- babies do it all the time if they get to close to a mean old mare at her hay pile.
???

[Open_the_Gait]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

Then there are those that show, will back a yearling as soon as possible.

do you mean get on? or teach to back up?

[sher327]

OtG- I honestly don't think my new horse had a CLUE what backing was in July when I got him. He didn't do it under saddle and looked at me like I was an idiot when I asked from the ground and hes 7ish!
It was one of the first things I taught him and he picked it up fast thank God because on out very first trail ride,the lead rider took us the wrong way and the only way out, you guessed, BACK UP!! LOL Shew, good thing we worked on that issue huh?

You'd be surprised how many of them are never taught......

[Blistering Winds]

Well, it is a natural move, but not. BEcaue it isn't done all the time like walking forward, trotting, loping, and turning, it isn't considered a very natural move. We actually ask more of them than they would naturally. One step to pivot out of the way is natural, but to do a straight line backwards isn't.

Everything I was speaking about was about backing up.....

[mustang_dodger]

some people don't teach horses for back up early is cause the horses is growing and they don't want to hurt the horse. that's whay i think anyway. i don't know. i teach all my horses to back early on.