My horse won't budge. Any tips?

Question

I have a 3-4 year old gelding. He is a very well behaved boy for only being three however he is still a bit green. His ground manners are pretty good. Just one problem... Occasionally, some days worse than others, he will get into this zone to where he won't budge. It won't matter what I do, I first click, no budge, lightly swerve his sides, no budge, tap his sides, no budge, eventually I hate to do it but I'll try a hard kick and he still won't budge. He doesn't pin his ears back or anything, it's like I don't exist pretty much haha. I've tried to turn him to get him going but he'll end up just flexing his neck instead and still won't act like he cares no matter how long I'm pulling on his head. The only thing he'll do is back up. No forward movement. I ride western. But not with spurs. Also, he rides in a hackamore. And like I said. Some days he won't do it at all others he'll do it constantly. I just want some advice, should I try spurs? Do I need to use to crop or something even though I ride western? I mean I usually stick to natural aids but if it would be best for us I'm willing to use spurs and whips.. But any advice helps!

Answer 1

If you are really having a difficult time getting him to move, get off and move him move his feet. Then get back on. No need for whips and spurs, because those are designed to be used as an extension of yours legs, which he is not responding to.

On his good days, Apply your leg as usual, and when he responds correctly (And I am talking at ALL. Life a single step, even if it isn't pretty), IMMEDIATELY give a release of your hands and leg. Take all "pressure" off, and praise him to the high heavens until he understands exactly what leg pressure means. :) If you need any more help, I would love to help!

Answer 2

It might help to go back to ground driving with him for a bit and as it may encourage him to be more forward, you can also reinforce cues this way and back them up with your leg when you ride.



It's not unusual for young horses to do this however if he was working well prior and has only recently started to nap, it's worth ruling out any issues with pain as he may be trying to tell you something isn't right.

Young horses quite regularly have tooth issues and even though you're using a hackamore you're still applying pressure to the nose/face/jaw so it's worth having them checked. Also rule out any issues with his back or the saddle.

Answer 3

His motor is in his butt. You need something, whether a crop or bat or the leather popper on the end of reins.



When he gets stuck in neutral, you need to pop him in the bum, and turn his motor on.

Answer 4

you're not a trainer and your horse doesn't understand leg cues.



kicking him isn't training.



find a trainer and take some lessons to understand how to teach your horse leg cues.



horses don't just know that legs mean go.

you have to teach them,



You DRIVE from BEHIND, you don't kick.

kicking is what amateurs do at dude ranches.



Get a trainer.

Get some help on how to train.



DRIVE

DRIVE

DRIVE



What does that mean? If you don't know, you shouldn't be training a horse by yourself.



Simplistic solution? Go to youtube. there's TONS of videos on the subject.



don't kick.



And no, spurs are not for forward.



If you have not trained your horse to a leg cue, how is adding spurs going to help?

Wrong thinking.



DRIVE

Answer 5

Does he do this on the longe line, or when driving (if you have driven him before you first backed him)? Sometimes this is a stubborness issue, more often it is that the horse just doesn't understand what you are asking of him, and in his mind, he is putting up with you doing all that wiggling around and even banging on him, but still being a good boy and standing still.



Longe him some more. Be sure you have installed "walk", or a click or whatever you want for forward movement. Then longe some more with a rider on board using light leg cues as you use your verbal cue. Then longe some more, with you staying silent, and the rider giving all the commands, just backed up by your body and/or whip position.



How broke do you think he is in the first place? Are you the first person to back him, or was he being put under saddle before you ever got him?