Going Backwards

[Cool Rider]

I was just wondering how to make a horse walk backwards?

[Katie_85]

Turn round in the saddle and ask for a walk on. :D

[entreat]

Some people say legs + rein (rein to prevent forward movement & leg to say, "move"), but Casper works much better if you use hands alone (and legs to guide the back end)... IMO it's down to what the horse responds to.

Don't leg you hands get too high or rough in the mouth, and don't flail your legs madly if he's not doing it... keep the same pressure on hands & legs (maybe try pumping your legs alittle, but not thumping) & as soon as he takes a step back (or even shifts his weight), release the legs & rein & give him a big pat! You'll be able to work a few steps in no time.

[Cool Rider]

So you squeeze on with the legs put pull back on the reins at the same time yes?

[General]

If you are teaching a horse rein-back for the first time it is sometimes easier to have a person on the ground with you. As you apply the aid for rein-back get them to put a hand in the middle of the horses chest and say 'back' whilst giving a little push. Same as you would if leading in hand and wanted them to step back. Do a couple of times like this. Then get the ground person to just put the hand there and not push etc etc. So in effect you gradually take the ground person away.

Gradually the horse will then cotton on that your aids are asking for the rein-back. And Hey presto!!

Just remember for a horse to walk backwards 'on command' as such means that they are being fully submissive to you and for some this is hard for them to accept or grasp. Also there is alot of 'sitting on the hocks' for them so it is hard work. Basically dont try to rush it too much. :D

[Cool Rider]

Ok thank you im not actually going to try it becuase i won't be able to do it in my lessons but i just wanted to know how to do it.

[entreat]

I apply the reins just before the legs... I guess it works alittle like a half-halt, but stationary - "hey horse, you're about to do something, so listen up."

It's good to learn these things. Ask your instructor... I'm sure they won't mind spending a few minutes on it in class! :)

[baxter]

The classical way to rein back, is you ever so slightly sit a bit more forward so that your seat bones free the back, (i mean a minute amount!) leg's should come evr so slighlty behind the girth and even pressure applied, under no circumstances should you use the reins for reinback, the reins are just blocked, hands still, not moving, so that the horse understands that the rider does not wish for the horse to go forward. That is termed the "correct" way to rein back on a horse, this is often taught from the ground and becomes invaluable to move onto turn on the forehand etc, you wouldn't use your reins to turn them round, its all in your seat and legs.....

[XwonderX]

If you pull back on the reins your horse should stop but, instead of giving with your reins to let them know they've done the right thing keep pulling back. Your horse should start walking backwards. This is for saddlebred horses with saddle seat lessons so it might not work for other things but try it and see.

[entreat]

Casper reins back much straighter & comfortably without legs (they appear to confuse him)... it's not pulling him back in his mouth, it's more like closing you fingers on the rein & back he goes. Neither Casper & I are very 'classic' :p :D :cool:

[Unbridled]

Wow, now I'm kind of confused. :confused: Sugar is a western-trained Appaloosa and I hardly use the reins at all when backing her up. I used to use leg and rein as described above until I began working with my instructor. He taught me (and Sugar for that matter) how to back up almost automatically and almost without any rein at all. I use my hips to push against her hips as a cue to reverse--like if I want her to move her left leg back I push against her left hip with my own, ect. The only time I use the rein is if she ignores the hip cues which is extremely rare. I'd never heard of this method before I began working with this trainer, so I'm not sure where it came from. But it works a dream. :)

[entreat]

WV had her horse doing it on a squeeze of her cheeks!! LOL!

It's all down to how the horse is trained... what he responds to. Casper hasn't had all the seat & leg training that you expect - he's mostly just been a paddock ornament taken out occasionally for a ride to the pub (I assume)... maybe some PC in his early years.

I would recommend workign with an instructor as they can get a good feel from what the horse is responding to.