Learning how to train a horse to backup can be really quite easy if you have the right equipment, some patience and some leadership. I see so many people just push on the lead rope to put pressure on the nose and that’s no way to “ask” for a backup, that’s a make. First off when you’re learning how to train a horse to backup you want to use a rope halter and a lead rope that’s properly weighted. This way your ask can be much more subtle and you can communicate on a partnership level using the rope as an extension of your arm. Being a strong leader with body language that says “I know how to train a horse to backup…now back up!” is so important just like a dominant horse moving the less dominant horse, BUT patience is key. You don’t want to get angry or frustrated with your horse.

So here we go with how to train a horse to backup. Stand in front of your horse with a leadership stance, hold the end of the lead rope and slowly start to wiggle the rope so your communication gets to the halter. It’s important when you are working with how to train a horse to do anything that you use stages to up your “ask”. Give your horse the chance to respond and use about four stages asking with more wiggle in the rope each time and quickly stop at your horses slightest try then ask again. Some horses may be quite stubborn as first but once they feel your end stage they will learn soon enough that you mean business and you know how to train a horse to backup. Then you will find that your horse doesn’t want you to go there again and will start responding to the first time you ask.

Remember your patience and your leadership/partnership when “asking” your horse to backup. You can also work with this same technique of stages on how to train a horse to backup using your fingertips in the chest area or on the nose. Horses that are more thinkers have a harder time being backed up especially by the nose so just take note of that. Before you know it you will know how to train a horse to backup so well that your horse will see that stance in you of “back up” and all you need to do is wiggle your finger and he will backup.