Training Tip: Ask Clinton: Getting a Correct Rollback

Q: I am having a hard time getting my horse to turn on his hind end when doing rollbacks. It is like his front end sticks and he turns his hind end out of the turn. How do I fix this? – Cindy R.

A: When I first teach a horse to do rollbacks, I always start the exercise on the fence because it makes it easier for the horse to learn the exercise. Because you’ll use the fence to redirect the horse’s energy through the rollback, you don’t have to worry about forcing him to stop or worry about him running forward out of the turn – the fence does all the work for you. Start off by cantering the horse in a 50-foot circle next to the fence. When you’re ready to ask for a rollback, ride up to the fence at a 45-degree angle to create a pocket for the horse to turn into. As the horse comes up to the fence, sit back in the saddle, say, “Whoa,” and tip his nose slightly toward the fence. At the same time, press with your outside leg up near the girth to ask the horse to turn into the open pocket you’ve just created. For example, if the fence is on your right side, you’ll use the right rein and your left leg to turn the horse. As soon as the horse is turned, hustle him back onto the circle and repeat the exercise.

What’s important is coming up to the fence at a 45-degree angle because it creates a pocket for the horse to turn into, which allows him to rock back on his hindquarters and jump his front end through the turn. If you stop parallel to the fence, the only way he can turn around is to kick his butt out, pivot on his front end and then turn. So, first, make sure you’re coming up to the fence at a 45-degree angle, and if the horse isn’t pivoting on his hind end, use more outside leg to drive his front end through the turn. Kick with your spur, tap with your whip or spank with the end of your reins up near his shoulder if he’s not taking your leg pressure seriously. You can even reach forward and tap the side of his neck with your hand to encourage his front end to move through the turn. Do what you have to do to get the job done. Do it as easy as possible, but as firm as necessary.