The reinback is a movement in which a horse steps backward in a straight line, moving its legs in diagonal pairs — near fore and off hind together, then off fore and near hind together. It is a fundamental exercise in horsemanship and an assessed movement in dressage tests from Preliminary level upwards. When ridden well, the reinback demonstrates suppleness through the back, obedience, and the horse’s willingness to work in both directions of travel.
The Mechanics of a Correct Reinback
A correct reinback involves the horse stepping backward cleanly in two-beat diagonal rhythm. The steps should be deliberate and even, with the horse maintaining a straight line of travel and keeping a soft, consistent contact. The head and neck should remain relaxed, the back supple, and the hindquarters engaged — not trailing passively behind the movement.
Common faults include the horse dragging its feet rather than lifting them, swinging its quarters to one side, resisting and planting its feet, or rushing backward in an uncontrolled scramble. Each of these indicates a different training or suppleness issue that needs addressing progressively.
How to Ask for a Reinback
The reinback aid sequence begins with the horse halted and balanced. The rider closes both legs slightly behind the girth and applies a gentle, non-allowing rein contact — not a pull backward, but a barrier that redirects the forward impulse created by the leg into backward movement. As the horse takes its first step back, the leg aid softens momentarily to reward the response, then reapplies to ask for subsequent steps.
The number of steps required varies by test level — Preliminary tests may ask for two or three steps; more advanced tests may require five or six. Counting steps is important in competition: too few or too many steps loses marks. After completing the reinback, the rider asks for forward movement to re-establish impulsion and confirm the horse’s willingness to move off the aids.
In training, transitions from the reinback into simple changes or forward to trot can be particularly effective for developing engagement and throughness.
Training the Reinback from the Ground
Before asking for the reinback under saddle, it is often useful to teach it from the ground. Stand facing the horse, holding the reins close to the bit, and apply gentle backward pressure while using a schooling whip or your hand to tap the horse’s chest. Most horses quickly understand the concept when taught this way. Ground training also allows you to assess the straightness of the movement without the interference of a rider’s weight.
Why the Reinback Matters
Beyond its competition value, the reinback is a genuine test of training quality. A horse that reinbacks willingly and correctly is demonstrating that it accepts the aids, responds to light hand and leg contact, and has sufficient body control to move backward with balance and rhythm. It is also practically useful — backing a horse out of a stable, away from a gate, or repositioning it in tight spaces all call on the same mechanics.
The FEI includes the reinback in dressage tests at all major levels, and the movement is assessed for correctness of rhythm, straightness, and the quality of the subsequent forward transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
My horse refuses to reinback. What should I do?
Resistance in the reinback usually points to stiffness in the back, pain, lack of suppleness, or insufficient understanding of the aid. Start on the ground, teaching the movement in-hand without the complication of a rider’s weight. Check that the horse is not experiencing back pain or hock issues — a vet check is worthwhile if resistance is persistent. Building suppleness through regular lateral work and transitions will help in the long term.
How many steps should a reinback have in training?
In early training, two to three clean steps are sufficient. Asking for too many steps before the horse is balanced and confirmed in the movement causes scrambling and loss of rhythm. Progress gradually as the horse becomes more confident and coordinated.
Is the reinback used in any other disciplines?
Yes. Western riding uses a version of the reinback as the “back” in reining and trail classes. Natural horsemanship practitioners use it extensively as a respect and yielding exercise. It is also assessed in some showing classes where manners and obedience under saddle are judged.