should your horse know how to back-up?

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wattsy

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I cannot imagine owning a horse and not teaching him to back up, both ridden and in hand, but have heard many people, including BHS instructors, say that it is not a good idea as it can lead to rearing and napping...what do you all think?
 
B*llocks. How are you supposed to open gates etc. if your horse won't back???

Some people are daft.....................
 
next to leading your horse in hand it's one of the most important things your horse should do!

Ty had 'back up' issues in the stable but we've got over them now - he doesn't get his dinner unless he backs up with me just asking him verbally.

surely it's just manners?
 
Yep, ridden, driven or on the ground they should back up when asked. It's basic manners and can get you out of a tight spot, especially when being driven. I've often seen showjumpers come into the ring, canter around, halt, back the horse up then go straight in to canter. I always thought they did this to get their hocks underneath them. Am I correct?
 
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I've often seen showjumpers come into the ring, canter around, halt, back the horse up then go straight in to canter. I always thought they did this to get their hocks underneath them. Am I correct?

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Yep, and to make sure the horse is listening to them also
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Lol, not heard that one before! Backing up is essential IMO, I'm forever getting Chex to back up so I can get the gate on rides, get into the stable, etc. Chex has never reared in his life! He did used to nap though, I'm 100% sure it had nothing to do with being taught to back up.
 
I can't imagine anyone who doesn't teach it.
I've just been thinking how many times I use it.
When I enter a stable they back up rom the door, same when opening a gate & the youngsters are taught it when they get in your face in the field.
 
I teach it to mine, not for any reason other than its pratical. I dont think its absolutely necessary but it is useful, think its a load of rubbish saying it could lead to napping / rearing!!
 
I think that is rubbish. My horse is taught to move backwards, sideways and forwards on both the ground and whilst ridden. A horse that moves over and back on command is so much easier to do - changing rugs for example. I would never be able to hack on my own and negotiate gates if my horse didn't rein back or move sideways. I also find rein back a useful exercise for getting a horse off the forehand.
Seems that some people will find any old reason for bad behaviour rather than what is causing it.... bad riding
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Mine back up on a word or a finger on the chest - they also move over on command or a finger.

I also back up Chancer with body language as part of his respect for me when he is pushing the limits.

Never reared etc as a result.

Not having a horse that backs up, or moves on command is awkward at the least and dangerous at the worst.
 
A horse should of course be able to back up in hand and when ridden.
I think the confusion here lies in that if a horse is resisting/napping it might try to go backwards. In which case it has to be pushed forwards to get beyond this resistance.
Also if a rider is asking a horse to rein back but uses too much hand this could cause the horse to panic and rear. I always make sure that I ride my horse forwards after a rein back to make sure he finishes on a 'forward' note.
 
Oh that is utter tosh, LOL!! I don't know any trainer who does not teach backing up....it's a rudimentary and necessary part of training.

You must hang around with a load of dopes
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It's down to how a horse is taught, there is no good reason in my mind for a horse not being taught to go backwards in hand, or ridden. On the ground never seen any problems, ridden I have - people teaching the horse incorrectly / bad riding, I have seen horses go up. However, to take this as a reason to not correctly train the horse to do it is tosh!
 
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