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Young, green or just plain insecure horses tailgate because they want to stay as 
close to their "herd" as possible.  That tail in front is a security blanket and 
letting it get even a horse length or two away raises their anxiety level.  Looked at 
this way, you can see why turning around to head back up the trail would be 
counter-productive.  You are doing exactly what the horse was afraid would happen... 
his "herd" has been removed from under his nose and now he's on his own.  When you 
turn back and catch up to the other horse, your horse will now redouble his efforts 
to stay close, KNOWING that if he isn't careful, he'll be left all alone.

The solution is to teach them that if they drop back a length or two, their "herd" 
won't disappear.  This process will take time.  The less self-confidence the horse 
has (or the dumber it is), the longer it will take.  Start by checking the horse back 
from the one in front by just one horse length.  Use the reins alternately, not just 
pulling straight back on both at the same time.  Be consistent by insisting that the 
one horse length be maintained at all times.  Don't lose your temper - remember your 
horse's crowding is anxiety-induced and your objective as 1) the smart one and 2) the 
alpha is to teach him that one horse length is not a threat to his safety.  If your 
horse is bold and/or smart, he'll figure out pretty quickly that his well-being is 
not endangered by being just one length back.  On the other hand, it may take MONTHS 
of trail rides for him to "get it".  Be patient but don't take "no" for an answer.

Stopping the tailgating is just the first step.  Just like we are supposed to raise 
our children to be thinking, independent adults, not well-behaved children, so your 
objective with your horse is to make him as secure and self-confident as his nature 
will allow.  Once your horse has no problem with staying a length back, start asking 
him to slow his pace so the distance lengthens to two lengths and then asking him to 
increase his pace to close the space to one length again.  Practiced over and over, 
he will come to realize that HE is in control of what is a safe distance back, NOT 
THE OTHER HORSE.  "I can drop back.  I can catch up."  For your horse, this 
realization is a tremendous confidence booster and you are on your way to his
learning that when a horse in front takes off, it is the OTHER horse that is leaving 
the "herd", not him :)

Good luck and have fun watching your horse's sense of self grow.



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