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How do you keep a horse from backing2007-11-24 21:15:58

I have a 5 year old TN Walker who uses backing as an evasive measure to keep from doing something she doesn't want (at least it appears that way to me). What is the best way to teach her NOT to do this?

Answers:

Don't pull back on the reins while doing this, she is defying you and could possibly start to rear. Be firm and drive her forward, if needed get yourself a crop and use it on her rump, using your legs as well. Use a loud, firm voice and say "NO" when she starts to back. I like to take their nose to one side, using 1 rein to pull the head around before you start to drive her forward. IF you don't ask for the nose she could bolt forward on you, keeping a forward moving circle each time she refuses is a safe way to get beyond this.

There are several reasons as to what is causing this behavior, you may want to see if she's sore, if her tack is fitting properly, etc.

I want to add, I have a read some good things here and I'm sure they do work but I want to think of the rider for a moment. Depending on a riders ability, leaning back and driving downward on the horses spine may be a good way to stop the behavior but, if the rider is not too experienced or balanced to begin with this could make the situation worse. If that horse were to "blow" while a rider is out of position, well that could cause the horse to go over backward or, in a buck, throw the rider further out of "center" and probably to the ground without a chance of staying aboard.

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When ever you tell her to do something, and she starts backing, you can either A) take all the pressure off of her completely and let her back