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When it comes to horse training, few lessons are more important than learning how to disengage the hindquarters. In this clinic session, Michael Gascon—better known as The Horse Guru—breaks down the do’s and don’ts of handling horses that buck, rear, or bolt, using a spirited horse named Waffle as the example.
Mastering this skill isn’t just about control—it’s about safety, communication, and building respect. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from Michael’s training session.
Why Disengaging the Hindquarters Matters
Every horse has a “motor,” and that motor lives in the hindquarters. Whether your horse bucks, runs off, or rears, the solution comes down to one question:
👉 Can you control their head and disengage their hindquarters?
By pulling the horse’s head around and asking the hind end to step over, you take away the power behind bucking, bolting, or rearing. As Michael puts it:
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You’ve never seen a bucking bronc with its back legs crossed.
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You’ve never seen a Kentucky Derby winner with crossed hind legs.
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You’ve never seen a horse rear while its back end is disengaged.
The lesson is clear: disengaging the hindquarters shuts down dangerous behavior before it escalates.
Do’s of Disengaging the Hindquarters
✅ Do Start with Groundwork
Michael begins every training session by sending the horse in a circle and immediately reinforcing the concept of giving the face and moving the hindquarters. If the horse bolts or spooks, the rope goes toward the hip, bringing the hind end across.
This establishes control from the ground before ever stepping into the saddle.
✅ Do Practice Under Stress
It’s not enough for a horse to disengage in a calm environment. Michael emphasizes practicing when the horse is scared or moving fast. That’s when training is tested, and when it matters most.
Simple tasks—like disengaging the hindquarters—must be reliable in stressful situations.
✅ Do Focus on Respect
Disengaging isn’t about muscling through. It’s about building respect for the lead rope and rider’s cues. A horse that respects the rope will choose compliance over the urge to buck or run.
Don’ts of Disengaging the Hindquarters
❌ Don’t Ride Without Control
“If I can’t put my body weight on his face and move his butt, I have no business riding this horse.” Michael reminds us that safety comes first. No amount of “macho points” makes up for the risk of riding without control.
❌ Don’t Skip Steps
Colt starting isn’t about speed—it’s about foundation. Michael explains that riding in under 30 minutes isn’t magic. It’s possible only because the horse already agreed to two things:
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Give the head.
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Give the hindquarters.
Without those, nothing else matters.
❌ Don’t Rely on Exhaustion
Some trainers try to “wear a horse out.” Michael makes it clear: fatigue isn’t the answer. Respect and proper communication through disengagement are what stop bucking and create a safe riding horse.
From Groundwork to the Saddle
The groundwork lesson transitions directly to riding. Whether Michael is:
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Spooking Waffle with noise,
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Applying pressure with the back cinch,
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Or moving over obstacles,
…the response is always the same: disengage the hindquarters. This consistency teaches the horse that no matter the situation—fear, speed, or pressure—the correct answer is to yield the hind end and stay connected to the rider.
The Bottom Line
Control the head. Control the hindquarters. Control the horse.
Disengaging the hindquarters is the foundation of creating a safe, respectful, and rideable horse. From stopping bucks to navigating obstacles, this technique is the difference between being a passenger and being a leader.
Michael Gascon sums it up perfectly:
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The head gives you steering.
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The hindquarters give you control of the motor.
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Together, they make a safe, trainable partner.
Final Thoughts
Waffle’s transformation in just a month of training shows the power of this method. With consistency, respect, and proper application, any horse—even one that bucks or bolts—can learn to respond calmly and safely.
