In a method and apparatus for withdrawing a strand in a horizontal continuous casting installation, the strand is withdrawn from a mold by a predetermined stroke and then retracted by a smaller stroke corresponding to shrinkage of the strand. This cycle of withdrawal and retraction is repeated intermittently. A strand withdrawing and retracting characteristic of a cycle is set in a control unit, and pinch rolls for withdrawing and retracting the strand are controlled based on the set characteristic. Actual withdrawing and retracting strokes of the strand are detected by a detecting device and the detected signal is compared with the set characteristic to produce an instruction signal which is fed back to the pinch rolls, so that the positional accuracy of the strand and the quality of the strand are improved.