3 Easy Steps to Backing a Horse, Part I

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In this video I explain in depth, and demonstrate with my school master Sundance, how to teach a horse to back up well, easily and correctly. This can only be done when 3 things happen physically in your horse: horse breaks at the pole, opens up their topline and uses their hind end.

This approach and technique is great for the following:
- Transitioning your bitted horse to a bitless bridle
- Helps the rider learn better feel and timing
- Helps both horse and rider learn the fundamentals of contact
- Great beginning for new riders
- Great for starting and re-starting horses
- Helps both horse and rider supple laterally and vertically
- Helps develop trust in horses that are afraid of harsh hands and cruel bits
- Develops a responsive and softer horse to light aids
- Develops softer hands in the rider
- Develops a more focused and connected horse
- Develops trust and relaxation

The 3 techniques, exercises, that teach your horse to back well, easily and correctly are, and in this order:
1) First, teach the backup correctly and on the ground and in hand
2) Second, develop lateral flexion, side-to-side
3) Third, develop vertical flexion, (when the horse’s nose is “on the vertical”)

Once all 3 of these areas, techniques, are working well on the ground, in-hand, you will take the same technique to the saddle. Key is paying attention to how I teach you to handle the rein, the level of feel, meaning when to ask gently and when to get stronger if needed and then get light again. Work on your feel and timing, pressure and release, positive reinforcement (lots of praise and love and quiet time).

One of the most important parts to training is taking your time so the horse understands what you are teaching them AND stopping often so they can process and digest. Two key areas to learning easily and becoming a confident learner!

[sarahnystrom]

Oh cool, I’m gonna use this video to help with lateral and vertical flexion!

[laurapeterson]

Thank you for verifying that bits are not necessary. I do not want to use bits for my horses. I’m not riding quite yet, but hope to be riding this spring and. Summer. We are getting ready to start our post winter warm ups. I have a couple of health issues which means, caution is of the utmost importance. I have a Harrington Rod in my back and was confirmed to have MS in 2017. My balance has been pretty screwy since then. Yes, I am often asked, why I still want to ride horses. I’ve loved horses since I was a kid. I’ve had to give up skiing, ice skating, bowling, hiking, and even vacuuming and mopping adversely affect my chronic back pain. My horses are my emotional and mental therapy. I realize I will never be a barrel racer, but my only goal is to be able to take my horses on slow walks around my farm. I respect my horses as much as I love them. My first horse came off a feed lot and. my second was dumped by a so called trainer. My goal is to be able to get on either one and just stroll around the farm. We have four cows which sometimes require catching, so my feed lot gelding will be my cow catching partner. I like how you treat your horses with love and respect. You don’t see the same amount of respect too often where I live. Animals are considered property. I’m going to be working very hard to follow your example and build my relationship with both my boys to the same level. Thank you for validating my belief that horses can be ridden with kindness and gentle treatment.

[kerrioshea]

Thank you. Your blog link is not working.

[carolmasecar]

Insults about other trainers are not appropriate. That only tells me you have to knock others down to make yourself look better.