[Lopin' Leopard]

I have a 5 yr old paint gelding who has been under saddle for a little over a year. I got him to use for gymkanas, with possiblity of using him for reining. He's prefers the performance stuff better then the speed events, so I've continued his training in that area instead of comtetively competing in something he doens't enjoy. We have a slight problem though.....he dones't like to back on the ground or under saddle. I've tried everything. He'll flex (give to the it or halter) and back but he backs so stinkin slow! We've placed well in showmanship classes, blues everytime, but if I want to continue his reining training he's going to have to learn to back a little faster. Any of you have any suggestions??? Thanks in advance!

~R. Franz

[QHGirl]

Honestly just time and practice. It wasn't until my mare was more confident with backing that she started to do this with speed. Sometimes they are unsure about backing and where to place their feet, it just takes time and practice. On and off their back. It was pretty funny the moment she realized, it was like a light clicked and she was like, OH this is how you are supposed to back... duh!!! Sorry to not be of that much help but keep working on it!

[Blistering Winds]

To get mine to back faster, I say...BACK..(click to him)...back...(click to him)... as well as sit back hard and nudge him with both my feet.

Good Luck

[playgirls-marie]

i learned this from a reghinng trainer take your feet put them buy his shoulder and kisk him inthe shoulder and pull back and try a martingale there a great tool!

[Paintlover]

I think a lot of it has to do with experience. Mine used to back really slow but with practice and pushing her (in the halter) faster each time she got faster (not like the ones you see on tv though!). Now that she has had a few months' break she has slowed down (almost like she does't know what the cue is) but I'm just gonna keep working with it and see how it turns out!
M.

[Blistering Winds]

He really needs to be able to back on the ground before you attempt in the saddle. Your weight will make it even harder and more complicated. You should be able to back by voice alone.

Work on the ground for a while. Then attempt in the saddle.

[Dawn]

I agree with practice. However unless a horse is trained to back from kicking his shoulder which is very impractical, he's going to look at you like you're stupid. And I really don't see how a martingale of any type would play into backing.

[Blistering Winds]

a martingale would help if you had a head tosser when you applied the bit...but even then, he still isn't knowing what you are asking.

Ground work. If you want to teach him the kick at the shoulder, which I don't suggest doing because in competition, you are not allowed to touch the horse in front of the girth...even in Reining and cutting.....on the ground you tap him on his shoulder and tell him back, and move him back. Then when you are in the saddle, you tap his shoulder with your foot and tell him back. But he has to know how to back on the ground before you can expect him to back in saddle. Mine, while he's running around like a chicken with his head chopped off...when he finally stops, I can tell him back and he'll back without any lead line, whips, etc. I just step and tell him back, and he backs.

To really get him to back good....you pull back on the halter on the ground and say back. If he doesn't back, then you push his chest once and tell him back. If he won't budge, nudge his feet...most will move their feet if you nudge them with your foot. Or you can open palm slap in-between his legs at the chest after you say back. Sometimes on my stubborn ones, I need a little more "UMPH" and they move. Usually once is enough for them to at least move...then praise them. When he will back, even slowely 2 steps...you are done for the day. Repeat daily till he'll back when you engage his nose.

THEN you can attempt in the saddle backing.