The correct footfall pattern in a quality backup is diagonal — right front and left hind step back together as a pair, then left front and right hind step back together as a pair — which mirrors the footfall pattern of the trot in reverse. This diagonal pattern indicates that the horse is using its body correctly, engaging its hindquarters and swinging through its back, rather than shuffling or stepping one foot at a time in a disorganized lateral pattern.
A horse backing in diagonal pairs maintains straightness more easily than one backing laterally, because the diagonal pairing requires equal engagement of both hind legs rather than allowing one hind leg to drag while the other does the work. It also indicates that the horse's back is swinging rather than bracing — a braced, stiff back tends to produce a lateral or shuffling backup pattern, while a relaxed, engaged back naturally produces the diagonal.
Evaluating footfall pattern requires either watching the horse back from the side — where the diagonal pairings are clearly visible — or feeling the footfall through the lead rope, which experienced handlers can learn to read as a rhythmic two-beat feel rather than a shuffling one-beat drag. Watching slow-motion video of the backup is an effective training tool for developing this awareness.
A horse that consistently backs in a lateral pattern — moving both legs on one side together rather than diagonal pairs — is showing either physical stiffness that prevents diagonal engagement or a lack of energetic impulsion in the backup. Increasing the energy of the cue and the energy of the backup steps typically shifts the footfall toward diagonal, because diagonal backup requires more energy and engagement than lateral shuffling.
