Any tips on teaching a horse to back straight?

First of all, keep her calm. If she starts getting upset, stop what you're doing and help her find a calm center again. I'm not saying to 'reward' her with a cessation of work, just bring her focus back to where she can calmly pay attention to you and your cues. They can't think or learn well when they are upset.

Secondly, teach her to move away from your leg. This is the basis of any lateral work, whether frontwards, backwards, or purely sideways. Many people start with a turn on the forehand, then sidepass, then turn on the hindquarter. Get these responses solidly confirmed in her mind and body.

Take it one step at a time, literally. If she takes one single step out of the straight line, stop and ask for that lateral response, to bring her back into the line of motion that you want. Ask for another step rearward and if she feels as if she's drifting sideways, use your leg to put her back in line. Perhaps a chalk line will help you see what is 'straight', or if you train in tall grass (I didn't have an arena in several places where I boarded and trained), you can mow a narrow path. This helps the horse understand also, as it takes more effort to walk or back through tall grass than a short, mowed path.

As soon as you get a good response, stop all pressure/cues/aids and relax your butt muscles (the horse can feel this through the saddle!). Let her relax and understand that she has responded correctly. I teach my horses to turn to get a treat when I tap the side of their neck.

As she learns that she can earn her treat or rest, start requiring more steps in a straight line. Never punish a horse in this kind of training. It will only distract them from the learning process. If they give a wrong answer, ignore it and just ask again calmly.

She will soon start to give you the response you seek.

When I train my colts I just apply steady and equal pressure to the reins. It's all about balance. Sit straight, relaxed, and have your hands and legs in place. Where ever your legs are, there should not be one closer or farther from the body of the horse than the other, and you might want to create a pyramid with your hands. Bend your elbows for more fluid movement, and keep your hands one each side of the swell of the saddle. Do not saw back and forth, just apply equal pressure. If your horse doesn't give, bump her, or pull your hands back (at the same time) and then release and give her a chance to move.

Whilst you are asking her to back up, have someone standing on the ground with a dressage whip. If the person on the ground stands by your mare's shoulder and taps the whip longways on her chest this should encourage her to back straight.

hope this helps!

my teacher says to not allow them to move quicker dwelling than they went into the sample, in order that they do not get into the dependancy of bolting again dwelling while their performed... in order that they do not rush therough the sample sloppily simply in order that they may be able to move relatively quick again dwelling. so for those who trot him into the primary barrel, it's alright to trot him dwelling, however for those who stroll him into the primary barrel, you have to stroll him dwelling. such a lot persons begin at the proper, however it will depend on which method your horse turns first-rate. tip: be certain to cost him down on the apropriate time while trotting, loping, and galloping round barrels. two ft probably too nearly begin ranking in the beginning for simply educating your horse, i might say like 6 feet. earlier than flip, simply so your horse is aware of it and will get the hold of it. use tons of leg, and use your external rein additionally! by no means appear down on the barrel while turning it... in any other case you can hit it! while turning the barrel appear on the subsequent barrel (or again dwelling if at the third) do not return dwelling dierectly at the left part of the primary barrel that you simply flip... move directly from wherein you're after turning the final barrel (except that path isn't among the one million and second barrels!). earlier than a run, circle your horse the path that you are going to flip the primary barrel, in order that you get a proper lead. while first commencing, attitude your horse toward the barrel, a horse walking at 'mach 10' are not able to flip ninety levels toward a barrel after which a 360 levels round it whether or not it was once rated down or now not.