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 The
rein-back is a dressage term to indicate the two-beat movement in
which a horse is asked to back up. The horse picks up and sets down
its feet almost in diagonal pairs, and moves straight backwards
with the line of his forelegs following those of his hind. The horse
should remain on the aids during the rein-back.
The rein-back should be practiced sparingly, as
it can easily over-stress the horse's back and joints. This is especially
true if the rider tries to force the horse into the movement.
Asking for the Rein-Back
The reinback
clearly helps to engage the horse's hind end. To perform the rein-back,
the rider applies both leg aids and a resisting hand. The leg asks
the horse to move, but the hand prevents the horse from going forward,
so it instead releases that energy in a step back. As soon as the
horse begins to step back, the aids are lightened. The rein-back
should be performed in a straight line, with the rider's legs used
softly behind the girth to keep the hindquarters straight. The upper
body of the rider stays upright, leaning neither forward nor back.
Leaning back is especially bad, as it drives the seat bones of the
rider into the horse, causing the animal to hollow its back.
It is sometimes useful to transfer the weight of
the seat onto the thighs when asking for the rein back, so that
the horse may easily round up through its back and engage its hind
end. When the rider wishes the horse to stop moving back, the rider
sits deeper into his seat, adds more leg, and lightens his contact
with the horse's mouth.
Common Faults
One of the most common
faults in the rein-back is resistance by the horse. Instead of remaining
on the aids, the animal tenses up and throws his head up or does
not soften to the bit. This is usually the case if the rider tries
to pull the horse backwards rather than asking with the legs aids
or if the rider sits too heavily on his mount's back. Other faults
may include crookedness, laziness (horse is inactive and drags his
feet), or rushing.
Uses of the Rein-Back
 The
rein-back is occasionally asked for in equitation classes, in dressage
tests (Grand Prix, eventing, and combined driving), reining competition,
and is also invaluable on the trail, as it can be used to maneuver
out of a tight situation. The rein-back is also an excellent training
tool. The movement requires the horse to engage and move his weight
to his hindquarters.
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