Backing
 

When I back my horse under saddle he opens and closes his mouth and is kinda 'sticky'; I never get a smooth back. Is it something I'm doing wrong? I ask with my legs and my reins. Any ideas??

Bumping
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Hum, maybe uncomfortable doing it??? As your horse does it more, the movement will become more fluid?? That's my guess.

Well, he's been doing it forever. He's 8.
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Just something that I found works with my horse when he wants to be a butt about backing-- when I am leading him (try this with a halter first, hold the lead close to the halter), I will frequently make an abrupt stop and say "ho" to let him know he is to stop with me. Then I will ask him to "back" while pulling the lead towards the center of his chest, asking him to tuck his nose and, if necessary, leaning my arm/shoulder on his chest to give him the idea that I want him to move away from my weight and back with me. You can use your weight to keep him backing.

You can do this any time you are leading him around, just "ho, back" and get him used to responding to your verbal cue. Then, when you're on his back and you ask for the "ho, back," simultaneously asking him to flex at the poll in the same way he would on the ground, he might get the idea a little better. :)

This is just something I have done-- not sure if other people would corroborate it!

Ooooooooooooo, I guess I meant maybe you do not do it that often and thus the resistance.

[QUOTE=existentialpony;1801375]Just something that I found works with my horse when he wants to be a butt about backing-- when I am leading him (try this with a halter first, hold the lead close to the halter), I will frequently make an abrupt stop and say "ho" to let him know he is to stop with me. Then I will ask him to "back" while pulling the lead towards the center of his chest, asking him to tuck his nose and, if necessary, leaning my arm/shoulder on his chest to give him the idea that I want him to move away from my weight and back with me. You can use your weight to keep him backing.
I do the same exact thing!
You can do this any time you are leading him around, just "ho, back" and get him used to responding to your verbal cue. Then, when you're on his back and you ask for the "ho, back," simultaneously asking him to flex at the poll in the same way he would on the ground, he might get the idea a little better. :)
s is just something I have done-- not sure if other people would corroborate it that's what we do too

I can see how this works. My guy needs to back up for me to open his stall gate and get him out. He is actually getting very good when I just say back, he backs without touching him. He knows he is not getting out if he doesn't, lol.

Just another idea... have you ever done standing exercises where you ask for your horse to give/set his head? If not, throw on a snaffle and give it a shot! If he learns to flex at the poll and give/set his head, you need not pull on his mouth to keep his head there when you are backing... using lighter contact might encourage him to stop smacking his lips. I know a trainer who literally trains her horses to be put into reverse, ie. once she's asked for the back cue, any leg means back more.