Backing
A synopsis of our first few experiences of being on board
First backing (above) and Ride 3 below, first steps with single rein
Ride 7 below, walking forwards and gentle direction on two reins
Ride 14 I took out on a quiet lane to support more forwards and straightness
Sky had started ticking all the boxes of the things I felt she needed to have calmly learned, and I began to wonder if it was time to get on board. She would pick me up from the mounting block and stand calmly, I could hop up and down on the mounting block, in a stirrup, and put weight over her saddle with her staying relaxed. So, on my next session with my mentor/trainer, Joe, I asked him if he agreed that she was ready. We ran through some preparatory groundwork exercises (lateral and vertical flexions, taking the hinds and the fronts on a circle, and asking for energy up and down in walk/trot on a circle) and she nailed them all in a very calm emotional state, so he was reassured and gave the thumbs up.
We went through a series of progressive movements to prepare, including the following:
Leaning over the saddle and rubbing where my leg would go, getting used to her seeing my body in her right eye. Having my weight fully in the stirrup.
Leaning over the saddle and rubbing where my nearside leg might go to make sure that didn't mean move off if I touched her gently there while mounting.
Putting my leg over her hind end to get her used to that being touched in case I caught her there with my leg as it swung over
Then, a little trickier still, was leaning over (while keeping my body quite tall and balanced) and asking her to move her hind leg across (we moved the mounting block of course). Joe felt it was better to have her know what to do if she moved, as, in this position, if she panicked, it was easier to me to get off smoothly. She was a little unsure at first, but after that she understood and was more relaxed when I asked for lateral flexion in her neck and cued with my leg for her hind leg to move across and under (a one rein stop)
Then, it was a case of swinging up into the saddle, sitting quietly and rubbing on her with big, rhythmic movements to keep her settled and relaxed.
I then asked for a lateral flexion of her neck (she's been soft and light in this for months) and a single step with her hind. I repeated that on both sides. The first one was a little rushed, but after that she was calm and understood what I was asking.
The reward was me getting off, taking her saddle off, giving her lots of praise and to take her out to be with her friends. We had done it! I was thrilled to bits and the 6 months of groundwork translated well and clearly had paid off.
Since this first ride, I've been on a few more times, not sitting on her back for more than about 5-10 minutes. I graduated to a two rein system. We've done a few steps moving forwards, as I don't want to keep her thinking 'stand' or 'flex' forever. So weve done a gentle, albeit a little hesitant amble around the arena (knowing that we have tools at my disposal to manage any 'moments' is reassuring), keeping everything low key. I don't think she needs much time with me on her back yet. We're still building up her mileage in hand (see 100 mile walk) and our connection (via liberty connection work). We'll take it all slowly, gently, and progressively as we have nothing but time.
After about 14 very short 10-15 minute sessions of ridden work in the arena (which we would do after 10 minutes of groundwork), Sky was feeling calm and steady, but lacked a little forward and straight energy, so I decided to capitalise on the in-hand work we'd done on our walks out and about. I'd been preparing by teaching her to pick me up from a wall, bench etc, and she was aware of the lanes and tracks around the farm. So I walked her in-hand down to a quiet lane, she picked me up from the wall and stood quietly as I mounted and we rode about 50 metres up the lane in a straight line. She was fabulous, and with me both mentally and physcially. And she was motivated as she was walking in the direction of home. My friend was on the ground, walking behind us so Sky took confidence from me on board rather than someone leading her. The next day in the arena there was a difference and we had many more forward steps and a sense of relaxation doing these.
This phase of backing from first sit on to now has been over 2 months. I've varied this work with more in hand exploring, and we've had several weeks off with winter breaks and snow. And when she's not working, she's out relaxing with her herd. It's been baby steps in short, sweet sessions. The next phases of her education are under Foundational Ridden Work.