Preparing for backing

At almost 3.5 years old, Sky is developing and yet there are many, many skills she needs to add to her 'CV' before she starts her 'job' as a riding horse. I have a long list that I am working with her on (see beginning the basics and building on the basics). Fundamentally, beyond being a 'good citizen' as horse trainer Kathleen Beckham states i.e. being good to lead, load, handle on the ground, there are things that directly link to the cues I'll be asking under saddle to direct Sky in different directions with my seat, my legs and my reins, so I'm working to get these cues and responses understood before she is backed, as essentially, as my trainer and friend Joe Midgley says, I'm 'riding her from the ground'.

To do this, we are working on the following:

1. Stand and relax - no fidgeting, wandering off, needing a fuss etc- I want her to wind down and chill out, but be ready for the next request.

2. Yield her hind and front end to light pressure- I'll then be able to direct these parts of her body from the saddle

3. Back up lightly with minimum pressure- ideally to go off a very light lead rein cue

4. Laterally and vertically flex her neck, with physical relaxation and mental lightness- this will translate directly to a rein cue

5. Pick me up from a mounting block, and be unfazed by me leaning over her and adding some weight in a stirrup, jumping up and down on the block, or being 'above' her on a gate or fence.

6. Move up and down from walk to trot on a circle based on a body cue- the lifting/lowering of my diaphragm and energy. This will translate to a transitional seat cue.

7. Wear her saddle and bridle without stress. She is currently fine with her saddle, and high viz sheet, but had to wait for her wolf teeth to be removed and a bit fitter to review the anatomy of her mouth before introducing a bridle with a bit as first impressions all needed to be positive. Although I am undecided about bridle and bit options currently, I want to prepare her well for life, so she'll learn both in a halter at first, and with a bitted bridle and possibly a bosal. 

8. In addition, she's working on self-loading into a trailer and lorry for stress -free travel and adventure and we are heading out on our first trips locally to build her confidence.