The rollback is a reining maneuver where the horse, in one
fluid movement, runs, stops and pivots, then runs. Its flashy
to watch and fun to ride. Executing an ideal rollback however,
requires timing and skill.
The horse must learn four movements before accomplishing the
rollback.
- How to stop from a lope.
- How to keep its weight back.
- How to pivot.
- How to lope from a stop.
The rider must be aware of his time and position. His cues
must be light and accurate. He must be able to ride balanced
and move with the horse.
Teaching the rollback begins at the walk.
- At walk teach the horse to stop correctly. That is, its weight
is shifted to its hindquarters and its four legs are square.
Increase the speed as the horse masters the stop at each gait
until it is stopping from a run.
- Cue the stop by saying "whoa", sitting deep (push
your tailbone into the saddle while keeping your back straight),
lightly closing your legs, and checking with the reins just enough
to get the horse to stop.
While the horse is learning to stop at the walk teach it to
back.
- Backing teaches the horse to use its hindquarters, strengthening
the muscles used in the rollback.
- It also teaches the horse to keep its weight back and legs
underneath itself. This is the position required for a rollback.
- Cue the reinback by softening your seat (take your tailbone
off the saddle without your cheeks leaving), and increasing your
leg while keeping a light check on the reins to keep the horse
from walking off.
Once the horse is keeping its weight back in the stops teach
it to pivot on its hindquarters.
- At the walk, this gets the horse positioning its pivot foot
underneath itself, like it needs to do in a rollback.
- If the horse learns to spin ( a pivot with speed) it learns
to hold its position and pivot leg until cued to move out. This
is necessary to keep the horse from rushing out of the rollback
before 180 degrees is reached.
- Cue the pivot by shifting the horse's weight back like you
are about to ask it to back. Then sit on the pivot leg. If you
are pivoting to the right sit on the right hindleg. That is shift
your weight in the direction your are going. Your left leg stays
behind the cinch and cues the horse to move to the right while
your reins keep him from walking off. Use just enough direct
right rein that you can see the corner of the horse's eyes. Too
much and he will not be able to pivot. Turn and look to the direction
you are turning.
Once the horse has learned the above, put them together:
- Lope down the arena.
- Come to a complete stop.
- Back the horse up several steps.
- Make a 180 degree turn using primarily a direct rein accompanied
by some indirect.
- Lope out of the turn.
Continue these steps several times until the horse turns quickly
and explodes out of the turn.
The rider's timing must be accurate. Ask for the stop as the
hose pushes off with its leading foreleg. Ask for the turn when
the horse's hindquarters sink and the outside hindleg is firmly
planted. Ask the horse to jump out of the turn just before he
completes the 180 degrees.
When all the elements are put together the rollback will be
smooth, flowing, and the horse will move out in his previous
tracks on the correct lead.
Copyright © 1998 Equine Discoveries.
