Dennis Reis/Parelli/ Backing up on Lead Line?

Question

I'm doing the Dennis Reis program. I originally started with Parelli, but I changed my mind. They are both similar programs in some parts. I am just started and working on teaching my horse to back away form me on a lead line. He is doing great and gets that he has to back, but he always trys to turn to the sides. How can I change this?? I will check back too so please ask questions.

**Do not try and tell me to seek professional help. That is my decision, so please just give me solutions to the problem I am asking. Thanks!!**

Answer 1

The first question I have is if you have also done the give to pressure or drive from all around your horse?  If so you will be able to control his hind quarters from in front and be able to look at his hind end to move it over.  You can use the carrot stick/lunge whip as an extention to ask him to move his rump back straight.  The first thing to practice is the turn and face exercise.  When he has this down pat he will understand that you want him to keep 2 eyes on you to focus, and his back up will become straight.  Some times horses will turn to the side like that when you are asking to quickly it is important to start slow which I am sure you are aware but try asking lighter first and not rushing the number of steps but the quality.  As soon as he starts to drift left or right correct him by driving the rump back and allow him to stand and ask once more for another step.  Also if it is still difficult I would also reenforce by using the fence as a guide so you only have to worry about one side at a time after practicing both sides come away from the fence and try again.  Just remember to correct immediately and reward when it is done correctly with lots of praise.  This will cause him to try harder and help him understand what you are asking for.  

Good Luck

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Answer 2

So I am not into the whole natural horsemanship program thing but I do alot of showmanship and this invovles backing and from your description I'm guessing you are standing jsut teaching your horse to back and your holding on to a lead rope. Your horse, from what it sounds like, doesn't have any major problems. Alot of horses I do showmanship with have this problem. See, backing up isn't really natural for a horse. I mean you don't see them in their pasture backing up to get to places, they go forwards. There is an easy way to fix this problem. When you are backing up your horse and let's say he is swinging towards the right. Tilt your horses head to the right and keep asking him to back up, this will cause his spine to straighten and he should back up in a straight line. Same with the horse going to the left. Your horse may also be trying to avoid the pressure of you pulling back on the lead rope so he backs. So when you pull back on the lead to get him to back immediately let up the pressure when his leg comes off the ground to go back, so it's like half-halts on the ground almost. This gives your horse a reward for stepping back and it's just not steady pressure on the nose. I really hope this helps and that it didn't confuse you even more. It's so hard to explain horse training tips through text and not just pictures. Good luck and best of wishes!