Can someone explain what a "rollback" is?

Question

People keep saying to do plenty of rollbacks when training a horse to engage the hind end, but I have only a small idea of what this is? Can someone explain what it is and how to execute it because I have a horse who really needs to start using her hind end more.

Answer 1

Others have explained what a rollback is.  I disagree that you should do plenty of rollbacks to train engagement.  they are hard on the horse's hocks and should be performed sparingly in training.  Also, you can easily sour the horse to them if you use them to train engagement.

Proper training of engagement comes from teaching forward impulsion on a straight path.  When the hindquarter engages, it drops as the hind legs reach farther forward.  The horse's back elevates and the forehand lifts, while the neck rounds and the head falls into position.  Then the horse may be collected...true collection....not the false version attempted by forcing rollbacks onto an improperly started horse.

After the horse has been trained to collect, and is working on the bit, not above or behind it, more advanced work like rollbacks can be correctly trained.  Rollbacks are not beginner training exercises.

Add...when you move the hindquarter laterally, it is called disengagement of the hip...not engagement.

Answer 2

Teach your horse to plant his inside pivot foot and bring his front end around. I teach my Reining Quarter Horses to do this, in the round pen, first they need to do a sliding stop. Than with the roll back used for Cattle Work. Is a complete pivot using the hind legs, with the front moving. A round pen is excellent for training this.

With Cattle it comes like a game to your horse!

On the other hand, roll backs can be dangerous, I knew someone, whom used a very hard bit, than when he went to do a roll back, his Horse reared than fell on him!

I use a very light snaffle, and try more with light hands, with the horse following my hands than the reins.

I would start slow when I do this. Also small hills are great for muscling up the hind legs.

Answer 3

a rollback aka. turnback is where you have a fence and after you jump it you make a turn back to another fence...ill attach a pic of what one looks like but a rollback will not get a horse to engage their hind end it REQUIRES a horse to shift their weight back to their hind quarters if it is to be done proplery but that doesnt mean a horse has to...ive seen many horses to roll backs with no hind end activity what so ever...and it looked awful haha getting ur horse in a frame and keeping him balanced on your outside rein will get his hind end engaged and thus allowing u to do a half halt which will shift his weight back to do a turn back(rollback) you jump one fence and simply turn to the other fence using your inside leg and outside rein to keep a proper bend andyour seat and eyes tell your horse when and where to turn

from fence 4b -5 is a rollback...

link:http://www.jumpdesign.net/_upload/crtanj...

Answer 4

I think you have all the descriptions of the rollback you need.  I would just add this.  Anytime, you work horse much and consistently on sliding stops or roll backs etc, you probably should have skid boots as if you floor burn or skid burn the backs of their ankles they will get sour very quickly.

Also this is a somewhat advanced maneuver and could be risky to both you and the horse.  

If I wanted to engage his rear qtrs more, I would do some backing and side passing.  Also when you trot he needs to have a good cadenced, rhythm to it, nice and steady.  If you are riding English you can help balance him with your hands and weight distribution at both the trot and canter.  If Western and you are talking about a stock horse roll back, which is pretty fast and furious I would get some direction from a local person that has that area of expertise.

Good luck!

Answer 5

The other posters are indubitably correct, but in the show jumping world a rollback is to take two jumps angled away from each other at a 90 degree or greater angle. In other words, to land turning off the first jump and then approach the second one on that bent line. Best of luck!

Answer 6

A rollback is a movement typically found in reining, but is often used in dressage and while training horses. You are right, it is good for a horse who needs to engage his hind end.

In reining, a properly executed rollback has 2 movements: a balanced stop and a 180 turn on the haunches.

Start by riding your horse down the fence line and ask for the stop. If the stop is not balanced, I like to make the horse back, then go off again to try another stop. When the balanced stop is complete turn your horse into the fence and move the shoulders around with your outside leg (the leg on the outside of the turn). The leg should be at the cinch or slightly in front, not behind. As soon as your horse is committed to the turn release the cues and if he has enough impulsion he should follow through on the turn.  

Answer 7

What rollback essentially is is a 180 degree pivot on the hind end at a faster gait, They're often used in reining.

If you look up any reining pattern on youtube, you'll see what they look like.