Rein back...or not

[neasham]

Ok so our first show is looming (4th august) and me and neil who is going to be my groom (he's more experience than me and in the event of anything going wrong is going to have the reins chucked at him! :D) have decided that there are 3 things that could let us down. 1) Quarry will get worked up with all the strange things at the show and not listen 2)our rein back or lack of and 3)the judges will go nice horse shame about the 2 plonkers driving!

Just wondering has anyone got any tips for rein back? Quoz has always been stuborn with it and when he does step back he tends to wiggle rather than going straight so not really ideal!

Cheers!

[Alfies-slave]

I take it you know how to rein back when riding, and that the horse can back up on command in hand...

Practice in hand with the horse backing up when you say "back"

Anyway, as far as training a driven horse to rein back...

Start on the long lines, with blinkers!

Get a nice square halt, relax the reins... then feel the reins so the horse knows something is going to happen Say "back" to start with, you can drop the verbal command when the horse has got the hang of it. When the horse takes a step backwards release the pressure and say 'good boy".

Practice, but don't ask for reinback every time you stop or you will train the horse in to reinback every time it stops.

Once you have got going on the long reins, have a go with the cart on. Pick a spot so that the horse is pointing very slightly up hill. This is also a good thing to do in the show ring. If the ground slopes slightly up in any direction reinback there and it will be easier on the horse.

If you can't get your horse to do it without serious fuss, you have 2 choices when it comes to the show. 1, have a bash at it and SMILE if it all goes wrong... or 2, miss it out of your individual show and hope the judge won't notice. Some judges are more botherd about you saluting them! They have been known to have not noticed the lack of reinback!

Above all have fun. You don't need posh kit, just make sure everything FITS and is clean and workmanlike. you will need smart country clothes, a whip, gloves and apron. Carry the whip!

[Wally]

If the reinback is going to look dreadful don't do one, you are better off doing a solod quare halt than spoiling it with a messy reinback.

Echo Alife's Slaves advice on training for it, a carrot helps too as they step back!

Are you sure it's the horse that will get upset and excited at the new experience.....or will it be you? ;) ;) :D :D

[neasham]

lol probably both :D! Thanks for the advice guys.