Reinless Riding
A Cool Way To Train A Hot Horse, by Sylvia Burrage, continued
So, I had to design leg cues that wouldn't interfere with other work under saddle and yet be totally commanding of her attention.  Since the forward motion is so intense in this horse the most important thing to teach was a backup.  For a calm horse, the whoa would be enough, but for this firecracker I needed much more.  The backup was my "back up" system.  Horses can run wildly forward or even sideways without thinking, but in a backup, they have to think of where they are going.  They are forced to concentrate.  In one or two lessons the horse will start to get the idea and do a few back up steps without reins.

The backup is my first building block.  The method is simple.  Both heels are used well behind the girth together with a nudge for each stride back.  Be sure to release your legs after each nudge.  The horse should be far enough along in his saddle work that he knows to yield to the fixed hand.  You don't pull back with the reins, merely stop forward movement so that to the horse the obvious option is to back up.

Gradually increase the steps as the horse becomes accustomed to backing up.  When my horse was really difficult we might backup twice the length of the arena, over 300 feet!  Very quickly, she became more focused.  Also, as she started to relax doing the backup, her high head carriage would change and she would round her neck with her head almost to her knees, and this is a high-headed Saddlebred!  Also, her hind legs would come more underneath as her back rounded too.  I realized that all these years I had neglected a valuable training exercise.  Without interference from the reins, she would always find the balanced position.  And her mind was relaxing too as she focused on this work.  Then, when moving forward, she retained some of the roundness and focus on my legs.
Sylvia and her firecracker mare, Gem.
Bea, cantering without reins or bridle!
The stop cue is merely the first nudge of the "back up."  When moving forward the first nudge will stop the forward motion. Additional nudges give the back up.  Eventually, just both legs going back will be enough to signal stop.

The forward or walk cue is bumps of calves at the girth, not squeezes.  It may take several quick bumps for the horse to realize he may go forward.  Do not squeeze with your calves in any of this work.  We need that later on for other cues.

For weeks we only worked the walk.  Any tensing up or bouncing was met with a back up command.  the backup would be for as many steps as it took to get her rounded and relaxed.  You do not fight the horse.  That only brings out the adrenolin you don't want in this type of horse.  Just calmly ask for the back up.  It is not a punishment.  It is taking the horse back to the first building block where he has learned to find relaxation and focus.  As the horse progresses just putting your legs back may sometimes suffice for the stop.  After all  the backup practice the horse will stop easily. A few steps forward and stop, a few steps and stop.  Remember, you must be telling the horse something every stride or they may forget you.
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