Lesson 18 – The 9 Step Back Up
Training your hands to close slowly… and open quickly, teaching the horse to back up confidently.
In teaching a horse to back up, there are two things to consider:
- this is not something horses do all the time. Forward is the most used direction of the horse.
- to ask the horse to go backwards, you have to “ride” backwards!
First of all, it’s important that we call the a “back up” rather than a rein back. The object is not to pull the reins so its best to get rid of terminology that will subconsciously cause you to pull.
Equipment: Natural Hackamore or Halter and 12′ Line tied to form reins (correct length to solar plexus).
The 9 steps:
Focus on a point a long way in front of you and slightly higher than eye level.
- From a standstill (zero), sit up tall, pick up your reins in the centre with one hand and lift them up hight in front of you, slowly, until you can feel them make contact with the horse.
- Bring your other hand onto the reins, clasping the two of them in a circle made by your thumb and index finger. Slide it down until your hand rests on the horse’s crest (mid-way) and the reins are short.
- Separate the reins into two hands, holding them just with your thumbs, your fingers pointing straight forward. (Don’t change the length of the reins when you do this)
- Now close your index fingers down.
- Now the middle finger
- Now the ring finger
- Finally the little finger and squeeze your hand like an upright fist.
- Bend your elbows and bring them slowly to your hips.
- Collapse at the belly button so your back rounds and your pelvis tilts.
The moment your horse shifts his weight or tries to take a step backwards, drop the reins completely as if they are hot! Then Start again from step 1.
What should your legs do?
Nothing. Just let them hang there. At this stage if you squeeze with your legs you will give your horse conflicting aids. Relax your legs, round your back softly, and you’ll open the door for him to go.
Success Tips
- Take a long focus.
- Always start with Step 1.
- Isolate each step so it is clear to your horse.
- It’s at step 4 that the horse should start backing up, but don’t criticise him if he does it earlier than this at this stage. You can change this much later.
- Reward the slightest try for the first few times, then start rewarding each step, then two steps, then four steps, until you’ve built enough confidence in your horse to back all the way across an arena.
Pitfalls
- looking at your horse
- squeezing with your legs
- pulling on the reins: there is a big difference between pull and hold. In this technique we ask you to bring your elbows to your hips, but don’t take them any further. Just hold them there
- applying the steps to quickly. The slower the better
- not releasing quickly enough: the best hands are those that close slowly but surely and open quickly. This is how you develop a light and responsive horse
Troubleshooting
Horse jerks reins from you as you are applying the steps
This is not unusual. Many horses have learned that people’s hands are elastic and weak. You need to have hand that are as reliable as fence posts. When you close each finger down, make sure its strongly closed and lock your arms at the elbow so they can’t be jerked forward.
Horse tosses head
Wait until he stops before applying the next step. If he starts again, just wait again. By doing this he’ll learn that it doesn’t achieve anything. The worst thing you could do is relate the reins or punish the horse, just wait it out.
Horse won’t back up
He locks his hind legs and cannot back up, this is because he is “engaged” in the hind legs for going forward. Horses will do this if they are confused, scared or worried about what you are asking. The flight response is triggered and therefore he cannot go backwards. If the hindquarter is engaged, then you need to dis-engage it… using the indirect rein. What ever you do, don’t pull harder! Keep your hands in the same position and slowly bring one rein back towards your belly button. As soon as you feel a weight change or his hindquarter part to give, “punch” your hand back into position level with the other hand. If he gets stuck again, do the same with the other hand. As soon as he takes a step, release, allow him to lick his lips and then start all over again at step 1.
The more you start over, the sucker your horse will learn.
The back up is crooked
Don’t worry at first! Just be happy that you are going backwards. Once you can go backwards quite easily then you can get more particular about straightness. The easiest way to go straight is to use a strong (and far away) focus. You’ll quickly feel when the horse is going off course and you can correct it with an indirect rein. If the horse is going crooked to the right, use a right indirect rein and leg pressure to put it back and vice versa for the left.
You just cannot get the horse to go backwards!
Go back to the ground! How is your Yo Yo? How is your porcupine Game in zone 1? After you’ve checked these out, another solution could be to ride him into a V shape made by poles that are at least chest height for the horse. Then ask him to back out a little at a time, rewarding every try.
Summary
Isolating each finger teaches your hands to close slowly. You also have to open them quickly!
Backing up will is very important.
This is not a “runback” The object is not to pull the reins.
Use a Natural Hackamore, it’s designed to ride with. (We stay out of the horse’s mouth until there is not opposition reflex).
Learn the 9 steps and use them religiously.
- lift the rein
- bring 2 reins together, slide down to crest
- separate to 2 hands
- close your index finger
- the middle finger
- now right finger
- then little finger
- bend elbow and bring to your hips
- collapse at the belly button
The moment your horse responds, drop the reins completely. Ultimate positive reinforcement is critical for teaching.
Let your legs hang inactively. Don’t give conflicting aids.
Take a long focus, don’t look at your horse.
If your horse starts backing up before you get to step 9. don’t worry.
Don’t pull the reins, hold them. Allow your body shifts to influence the reins.
Apply each step slowly but surely.
Quick release is key.
If the horse jerks the reins from you this tells you the your hands are too flimsy. Close each finger and keep it closed!
If the horse tosses his head as you begin, just wait at the step before moving on.
If a horse cont back up because he is locked, Thi is because he is engaged. You need to disengage the hindquarters with one rein.
Gradually work on straightness. Don’t be too critical.
Focus is important. it will give you the feel and timing needed to make the appropriate correction with an indirect rein.
How good is your Porcupine Game in zone 1?
