Q. My 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding is great on the trail, but I'm having a problem with the backup. When I apply leg and rein pressure, he pins his ears and tosses his head. When he does back up, he moves diagonally, rather than straight back. What can I do to make him understand what I'm looking for?
Shawn Milland
Fresno, California
A. Backing up is an important maneuver on the trail. You might need it to get out of a sticky situation, open a gate, or to hit reverse on a narrow trail where there's no room to turn around.
First, have your veterinarian or certified equine dentist check your gelding for any mouth or teeth problems that might be causing him pain or be interfering with the bit, which could cause head-tossing. Also, have your vet check your gelding's back, hocks, and legs for any physical problems. If your gelding is physically okay, you can start teaching him the backup.
It sounds like your gelding has a good mind; he just doesn't understand what you want from him. Your leg pressure tells him to go forward, but your rein pressure tells him to stop. He's likely pinning his ears out of frustration and tossing his head for relief from bit pressure so he can obey your leg cue. When he does back up, it's only because he has no other movement options, not because he understands your cues.
To teach your gelding the back-up cue, you'll start with ground work, then progress to under-saddle work. I've broken down this process into easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Get ready. Outfit your gelding in a halter and lead rope. Lead him to an enclosed, level work area with good footing, such as an arena or round pen. Stand on his left side with your shoulder even with his throatlatch, and face his hind end. Hold the lead rope snug under his chin with your left hand; hold the coiled remainder of the lead rope in your right hand.
Step 2: Apply lead-rope pressure. From the halt, apply light, backward pressure on the lead rope with your left hand. At the same time, give your gelding a verbal cue, such as a cluck or the word "back." (Be consistent with your verbal cue.) Your verbal cue will reinforce your lead-rope cue.
Note: If your gelding doesn't back up at first, don't get frustrated. Simply continue to apply light pressure until he takes a backward step.
Step 3: Reward. As soon as your gelding gives to the lead-rope pressure by taking a backward step, release the pressure, and give him a pat. Release of pressure is his reward for doing what you're asking of him.
Step 4: Teach the "whoa." Using backward lead-rope pressure and your verbal cue, ask your gelding to back about three or four steps. Then give him the stop cue: Say "whoa," and release the lead-rope pressure. Don't allow him to stop on his own; keep applying pressure until you give the stop cue. He'll then learn to stop on cue, rather than stopping whenever he wants to.
Step 5: Switch sides. Once your gelding backs up on cue from his left side, switch to his right side, and repeat Steps 2 through 4. Your gelding will then back for you from the ground no matter which side you happen to be on.
Step 6: Saddle up. Once your gelding backs up well on the ground, work on the maneuver under saddle.
Outfit him in a smooth snaffle bit without shanks, for gentle communication. (A broken bit with shanks isn't a true snaffle.) Attach a one-piece rein or split reins. Mount up, ride forward a few steps, then ask him to stop and stand still for a few seconds. Then ask for the backup by applying even rein pressure with both reins and giving your verbal cue. At the same time, bring your calves forward a little bit and sit deep in the saddle. As soon as he takes a backward step, release your rein pressure, and give him a pat as a reward.
Repeat this lesson a few more times, then quit on a positive note, and start again the next day.
Troubleshooting tip: If your gelding backs diagonally, let's say to the left, tip his nose inward to the left with light, even, left-rein pressure. (Don't jerk the rein, which would only confuse him.) At the same time, bring your left leg back toward his hindquarters about four to six inches, and apply leg pressure against his rib cage.
This will help your gelding's hindquarters work independently from his forequarters (or disengage), which will help him straighten. If he doesn't respond to light rein and leg pressure, gradually increase the pressure as needed. (Reverse these instructions for a diagonal movement to the right.)
Note: To do this well, you have to have feel. That is, you have to feel how well your gelding is responding to pressure. It might take several sessions to get him to back straight. Don't give up. Be patient and consistent. Each time your gelding responds correctly, be sure to release all pressure as a reward, and give him a pat. TTR
Trainer/clinician J.F. Sheppard, 55, specializes in responsible training for trail horses, and safe horsemanship for trail riders. He's certified under top Paint Horse trainer William T. Lawrence. Afflicted with osteoarthritis, he continues to actively ride and train. The southern Oregon resident can be reached at flyingeagle@ccountry.com. For clinic information, visit www.onceuponahorse.tv.
