Horse Won’t Go !!

Hi. My problem is, i can get this gelding to move out.. NICELY, in the beginning? He’s 6-10yrs. old. BUT, he ACT’S like he’s a BABY in this WORLD! I can get a good ride from him for about 1hr. then he’s HAD ENOUGH! He WON’T GO ant FURTHER! But, if we are HEADING HOME.. well he’s AWESOME! I have a HACKAMORE I use, verses a BIT? Either way.. the same RESULT’S?? He has SHOE’S, he’s been INJECTED for WORM’S? A FRIEND said his TEETH NEEDED FLOATING, cause he DOES THROUGH his HEAD? I had his EAR’S CLEANED. The SADDLE is light, and I weigh about.. 180lbs. H’s a fairly BIG GELDING. to ME he look’s like he MAY have SOME MUSTANG?? Even when I ride with another person, he FALL’S BEHIND?? Im FEEDING him, ALFALFA in the a.m. and OAT HAY in the EVENING? He WAS on GRAIN, BUT, I DIDN’T feel he NEEDED the X-TRA, cause he’s DOESN’T have that GRAIN NEED?? He has NEVER URINATED during ANY RIDE’S. I’ve had this HORSE at a RANCH, at that TIME.. ONLY MEN could him to REALLY MOVE.. UP & DOWN
hill’s like a HURRICANE! BUT, as soon as ANY FEMALE mounted.. NOTHING!! So, I read a note by Keith Hodsen, about CONSISTENCE, so I brought him home? And began OUR TRUST from EACH OTHER.. and NOW they CAN’T BELIEVE I’VE got him to go as FAR as we have?? Can YOU HELP?? Thank YOU for YOUR TIME. Paula

Hello Paula,

Because you use a lot of question marks, it seems you have a list of questions. Because you use a lot of CAPITAL LETTERS I’m not sure exactly what topic you want me to talk about. 

If you answer these questions, perhaps I can help.

Is this horse your horse?

Do you work with him every day?

Do other people ride the horse on a regular basis?

Do you care for your horse at home?

What is your one question?

If your question is how to make the horse move forward, I’ve answered that question a number of times already in this blog and on my website.

To find the answer on this blog, in the right hand column, there is a blank box with a SEARCH button under it. Type in the word forward and the search will produce those articles asking how to make a horse go forward.

On my website, www.horsekeeping.com there is a large group of articles called the Horse Information Roundup where you can do the same thing with the search button on top of the page.

I recommend you read this book.

http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse-articles.htm

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Horse Mounted Training – Horse Won’t Move Forward

I am just starting my horse under the saddle. I have worked on ground manners and everything. I got on her today and she backs up just fine but she wont move forward. When I get off and lead her she walks fine but as soon as i get on her back she doesn’t like to walk. What can I do? Emily

Hi Emily,

A couple of quick reminders when working with horses, then I’ll refer you to some more in-depth articles as I have answered this question several times before on the Horse Information Roundup on my website horsekeeping.com

1. I never teach a horse to back up until they have learned to move energetically forward from a standstill and from each gait into the next gait. Forward is the key to all else so much come first.

2. Make sure when you ask for forward movement, you don’t have so much contact on the reins that the horse is afraid to move into the pressure of the bit. Invite the horse to move forward by allowing him to move into very light contact.

3. Instead of asking a horse to move straight forward, turn the horse to one side or the other. This untracks the horse and gets him thinking along the lines of movement.

Now for more details, if you read the following articles you will find things that will be appropriate for your horse and your situation. Click on the links below.

Horse Won’t Move Forward

Getting a Horse to Move Forward

Cherry Hill

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