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The team Agni and Shaym are gentle, obedient, and good workers.
They are the team of choice fro training new teamsters since they
are also small in stature and therefore easier to handle. Here
Balabhadra is demonstrating one way to give the command "Back".

There are several ways you can encourage them to back up. One is by putting one of your hands on each of their heads gently pushing on their heads and giving the command "Back." Never forget to use their names first before the command so they know you are talking to them.

If this doesn't work easily for you, kneel in front of them, and put a hand on their chest (brisket) and massage their chest simultaneously pushing back. Once again, call their name and use the command "Back."

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The second way to give the command "Back" is by tapping their knees.

The third method that we use is by repeatedly TAPPING them on the knees with the lash. Notice the emphasis on tapping. Do not use the lash in a way that will hurt them. Just tap them on the knee. Once again, call their name first and then say "Back."

If you have time to practice before trying this in a working situation, that is best. We always train them to back up after they have understood the four initial commands of "Get Up," "Whoa," "Gee," and "Haw."

If you have an alley way that they can fit into but can't turn around in, you can practice in the alley way. The reason is because a lot of times when backing up, their back ends will have the tendency to move away from each other. So their heads will stay close together and their back ends will be spreading apart. If you see this happening, stop, and go to their rear ends and push on their rear end one at a time in the direction you want them to close up which is towards each other. Then call the ox by name whose rear end you are pushing and give the command "Over."

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The third way to give the command "Back" is to massage and
push on their chests simultaneously.

He will move his back feet in such a way that he is stepping towards his partner and closing the gap. Then go to his partner and do the same thing. They should back up straight while not spreading apart.

So if you are practicing in an alley, this will force them to back straight and they will get use to backing up straight because of the narrow confines of the alley.