In reining, RIDE TV coach Ryan Rushing knows that crisp corners and correct rollbacks can make the difference between a smooth, balanced pattern and one that leaks points in the transitions.

For Rushing, those maneuvers start with body control—making sure the horse stays square, responsive, and prepared for the next move.

Here are three tips Rushing uses in his own program to help horses stay organized through the corner and finish a rollback correctly.

You can watch Ryan Rushings’ NEW series on Ride TV here.

Ryan Rushing’s Tips for Reining Rollbacks, Rundowns

3. Straight Rundowns Start in the Corner

For Rushing, a straight rundown begins before the horse ever hits the line. As he comes through the corner, he tips the horse’s face slightly to the outside while reinforcing with his outside leg to keep the ribcage from drifting outward.

“As I steer around that corner, I apply my outside leg. I almost want them to invert a little bit around that corner and clear their shoulder and ribcage out of the way,” Rushing said.

If the horse bends to the inside through the corner, the shoulder and ribcage drift outward. When the rider accelerates, the horse will naturally follow that lean instead of traveling straight down the rundown.

By tipping the horse slightly to the outside and reinforcing the ribcage with the outside leg, everything is able to come into alignment as Rushing comes around the corner and puts his hand down.

“When they clear that rib to the inside off your outside leg and you release, they’re straight and you’re going to have a better rundown and a better stop,” Rushing says.

2. Back Straight, Roll Back Balanced

Before asking for the rollback, Rushing backs the horse a couple of straight steps to make sure the body is lined up and attentive. Then he looks in the direction of the turn, brings his inside leg back, and asks the horse to finish the full 180-degree motion.

“I’m going to make sure I ask her to come all the way through, 180 degrees for that rollback,” he says.

Some horses will try to escape the maneuver early by stepping out before completing the 180º. When that happens, Rushing keeps the horse moving until the rollback is finished correctly. Read more on that correction below. ⬇️

1. Use a Small Circle to Reinforce the 180º

If a horse tries to escape the rollback early, Rushing keeps the feet moving until the horse finishes the full 180-degree turn. Once the horse lopes off, he often steers into a small circle to reinforce the maneuver and help the horse reorganize its feet underneath its body.

The small circle acts as reminder—keeping a horse thinking about keeping their feet under them and fully committing to the turn.

It’s a simple troubleshooting tool that helps make sure the horse stays square, organized, and prepared for whatever maneuver comes next.

Remember, you can enjoy Rushings; new series on Ride TV here.