THE HORSE GAZETTE
training
a horse, of course
rollsbacks, for a softer more supple moving horse
By Don Blazer, © 2009
The rollback is a
indirect rein of opposition--- When the horse is asked to
back as a means of teaching
great suppling exercise, helps
the rein is moved back toward make the turn back over the
the horse to slow and soften
to slow a horse’s pace and
the rider’s left hip (opposition) pivot foot, the head must be
his forward movement. (See
helps correct the often misused
while also being pushed tipped just a little into the
a demonstration of a rollback
indirect rein of opposition.
against the right side (indirect) direction of travel. The horse
at www.donblazer.com/videos/
A rollback is
of the horse’s neck. should not bend the neck into a
rollback.html.
a stopping and turning
The rider’s left leg “U” shape.
At the first sign
movement all in one in which
is pushed against the horse It is at this point in
the horse is increasing pace,
the horse turns 180 degrees
to drive the left hind foot the cueing that the indirect
I ask for a rollback, moving
over a hind pivot foot. The
forward, setting the pivot foot. rein of opposition is so often
the horse off in the opposite
movement helps to supple the
The rider’s weight is shifted misused. The opposition
direction. The horse will
begin the same gait in the new
Unique feeding program,
horse by asking for a lifting
slightly toward the horse’s left part of the rein cue should
direction and will be given
combining organic natural foods
action from the hindquarters,
hip to hold the pivot foot. be nothing more than the
complete freedom until he
and herbs to help horses achieve
a softening of the body and
The rider’s right leg establishment of a bit barrier
starts to increase pace again.
maximum health and recover
lateral crossing of the front
is moved slightly forward and to forward move, not a drastic
With the increase in pace, I ask
from diseases
legs all at the same time.
pushes the forehand to the left pull backward on the rein.
While the movement sounds
in concert with the indirect (Often, it is just a lifting of the
for another rollback.
Lisa St. John • 888-535-6577
complicated, it really isn’t.
rein being applied to the right hand to take the slack from the
You will note that
The horse is moving
side of the horse’s neck. rein.) And the indirect part
your horse starts to hold the
Equine Nutritionist, Herbalist and Ancient Healing Art using in a straight line and is going to
The instant the of the rein cue should be a
slow, soft desired pace after a
Acupuncture Points and Energy Balancing.
be asked to rollback to the left.
horse recognizes the cues and pushing action into the neck.
few (most often less than 10)
The rider gives an introductory
begins the rollback, the rider The rider must
rollbacks.
Visit www.youtube.com/user/Lisastjohn
cue, and then must provide
must release the cues and not allow any “pulling of
The rollback is a
the rein” as that will apply required movement in many
Seeing is Believing!
immediate freedom.
allow the horse the freedom to
The rider begins
come around, completing the unwanted pressure on the bit,
reining patterns and is often
the exercise by applying an
exercise on his own. in turn pulling the head in
done well. When it is not done
With the release of the opposite direction of the
so well, it is usually rider error
the cues, the rider has told the wanted movement.
caused by a failure to “release”
horse that something new will Opposition rein cues
the instant the horse recognizes
be coming, listen for the next should never involve a constant
the request, or the rider
cue. pressure backward, but should
stops the horse completely
The rider gives the be the establishment of a
and then does a pivot on the
next cue, which reestablishes barrier to forward movement.
hindquarters—two distinct
the gait at which the horse Every rein of opposition
movements.
began the rollback. If the cue should be minimal in
Rollback to some
horse was jogging, then the backward movement. Move
basics—the stop and pivot--
Private and Group Instruction Available
rider asks the horse to continue the rein back enough to set the
and you’ll find your horse is
the jog. bit barrier, and then hold the
slower, softer and more supple
Weekly in Boerne/Fair Oaks area.
The bending rein in that position (during
in his movement.
involved in the rollback helps a half-halt, for example) or
Rollbacks are taught
Contact Anne Stone at 830-755-547 or
to supple the horse. The release immediately upon the
in the HorseCoursesOnline.
bending, however, should be horse’s correct response.
com Equine Studies course,
Jackie Kelly at 830-98-9795 minimal rather than drastic.
I like to use the roll- Training Performance Horses.
greener pastures
Clinics Nationwide by Arrangement.
Call or email Mary Rose.
hal smoke dreams - 1983 - 2009
*Hal Gazal X Hi-Fashion Gayal (by Gay Count) Written by Victoria Blanch
Our beloved Smoke
Training Center where Smoke
MARY ROSE, FBHS
passed on March 25
th
at Double
it became necessary for me to
now rests.
Diamond Ranch and now rests
move away from Minnesota,
At the age of 5 years
Cell: 512-589-3796 • Home: 512-894-4536
on the ranch that she helped to
my mother, Barbara Blanch,
old Smoke introduced my son,
create. Smoke was loved by so
continued Smoke’s care. My
Quinton Wicks, to the love of
many people of all ages. She
niece learned to ride from her,
horses. He first started riding
Website: www.maryrosedressage.com
not only brought the entire
and that started a brief career in
Blanch family into the
Hunt Seat and Dressage for
Arabian horse world, but
Smoke. When I was able to
taught so many children the
bring Smoke to Texas she
love of riding.
became a full time lesson
Looking for a new horse?
In 1987 I
horse, teaching so many
purchased Smoke from
children and adults the love
Cedar Ridge Arabians in
of horses. She had a special
Minnesota, and brought her
talent working with children,
Consider adopting one
to a small boarding barn
and was able to instill a
near my home. I continued
special confidence in young
to train, and enjoyed riding
riders.
of ours!
her until 1991 when Smoke
In 2003, at the
moved to Midwest Training
age of 21 years old, Mario
Center to begin her show
Zerlotti was successful
career. Under the training
in getting her in foal to
of Randy Anderson and
JDM Rain Dance. And at
Bill Porche, she was able to
22 years old she foaled a
Casper is an 8-year-old grade,
move on to compete at the
beautiful filly, DD Dream
national level with me in
Dance. Smoke was in full
Quarter-type gelding. He has spent
Western Pleasure AAOTR.
retirement by this time. She
two months with a professional
It was during his time my
was a wonderful mother to
trainer. He knows how to walk, trot,
father, Ted Blanch, got the
Dreamer. Her filly looks
horse bug. Smoke and I
just like her and is as sweet
canter and whoa under saddle. invited him to visit the farm
as she was too.
He’s a high strung horse who
and see what we were up
Smoke continued
too. He loved the horses and
to live out her life on the
Smoke when he was only 6 years
needs a confident rider. the people and bought his first
pastures of Double Diamond
old. Smoke took him to his first
Adoption fee: $550
two horses that day. A few
Ranch until her passing at 26
show and he continued showing
years down the road, after doing
years young. She is dearly
for another 4 years. Smoke
extensive showing with Midwest
mourned by my mother and
went into semi-retirement from
Training Center, he moved on to
me and will continue to hold
showing, and I began using her
Kinley is a 7-year-old, grade,
build Double Diamond Arabian
a special place in our hearts
to teach children to ride. When
forever.
Quarter-type mare. She just
spent a month with a trainer.
She’s green, but she’s quiet
under saddle. She walks, trots,
canters and whoas and is learn-
ing to cross trail obstacles.
Accepting new lesson
Adoption fee: $600
and training clients.
Banks is a 5-year-old, 13.1 hand,
Bo Phillips
Beginner to
grade, pony gelding. His former
Bulverde, TX
advanced
• Training
riders
owner claimed he is an Appaloosa • Showing
/ Welsh cross. He is broke to ride
• Instruction
Limited space
Training from
and has been ridden in an arena
available start to finish
and on trail rides. He has a biting
...call today!
problem and is not suitable for
210-332-2743
children or novices.
Adoption fee: $300
For information on these or other horses available for adoption - contact us!
Newly
renovated indoor
888-542-5163 • www.bluebonnetequine.org
facility
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