Instructions
Ask the horse for a square halt by holding its front end steady with the reins and pushing it into the halt with your legs. The front legs should be lined up beside each other. If the horse stops and is not square in front, ask for small, single steps until its front legs are even. Reward the horse with a pat on the neck for the correct halt.
Take a gentle feel of the horse's mouth with the reins to discourage it from moving forward. Ensure that the reins are even so that the horse remains square from the nose through to the shoulders. It's important to always ask the horse to move its hindquarters without any bend through the body when it's first being taught the movement. To do so, the rider must remain square in the saddle, with equal pressure on both seat bones and in both reins to prevent the horse's shoulder from falling to the side.
Squeeze the horse's side, just behind the girth, with your left calf while maintaining enough pressure on the reins to prevent the horse from moving forward. The horse should want to move away from your leg pressure, but without the freedom to move forward or to move its shoulder, it should swing its hindquarters to the right, or away from the leg. As soon as the horse moves its hindquarters, release the leg pressure and praise the horse for trying.
Let the horse walk forward on a loose rein for a few moments as a reward before repeating the process. Work on the left side until the horse has demonstrated that it understands what's being asked of it, even though the movement may not be perfect. Repeat the process using the right leg to ask the horse to move its hindquarters to the left.
When the horse understands moving the hindquarters away from the leg in each direction, gradually increase the number of steps the horse must take laterally with its hind end before allowing it to walk forward again. Eventually the horse should move in a half circle, pivoting on its front legs while crossing over its hind legs.
How to Teach a Horse to Move Its Hindquarters
Teaching a horse to move its hindquarters laterally while under saddle can be a challenge. In order to be taught to move its hindquarters, a horse needs to have solid basic training, be balanced at all gaits and have a good understanding of and obedience to leg, seat and hand aids. The rider should also have a balanced seat and understand how to move the horse laterally off the leg. Start introducing a horse to moving its hindquarters with a simple turn on the forehand.