Train a Horse to back up an Load

Question
I'm 46 an have to two horses which are 2yrs 8 months had one sorrel broke which I'm jus getting him started on backing up, but I would like the to know the best method of training one to back up. An I'm breaking the other horse myself, both are really gentle now, first time to break a horse, been with him in a round pen but been ridin him this past week, it's goin pretty good jus goin slow with him, but would appreciate any good info on how to train him to back up and load if you don't mind, Thanks for oyur time  Leo

Answer
To load I think you are talking about trailer loading, I discuss this on my trailer loading page of my web site.  Slow and easy and small steps.

As for backing up, horses don't back up the wild too much, they just turn and run, so it is not a natural thing for horses to do, they can get good at it, but it takes lots of doing it.  First make sure they know how to give to pressure and move away from pressure.  Once they know this well, then you can get them to move back one step and release pressure, then two steps and release.  Once they learn to move back when you ask on the ground, make sure you say "Back each time you back them so they know the word, then try and give the same cue from the saddle as you do on the ground.  Slow is fast with horses, so don't rush it or get in a hurry, small steps will teach best.  

Most all horse training is about pressure and release (advance and retreat) I put a lot of info about this on my site, so read at least the first 4 or 5 pages and it has a lot of info and will help you see horses differently.

hope this helps,

Rick