New horse won't go forwards under saddle

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Lotty t

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Hi. I recently bought a new horse and moved him to new yard. He's totally green and won't go forward under saddle. He will sometimes follow other horses but still sticks going past horses or at certain parts at the yard. So following horse in front I don't think means anything to him.
I want to know how best to address this matter as kicking makes him back up until he's back in his comfort zone. I've tried turning but I end up getting dizzy and still he will not go forward.

Thanks
 
I'd first try long lining him, get him listening to u. I've had this before, horse went perfectly on the ground and backed up etc when under saddle. After lots of investigation, turned out is was no more than cheek, a good boot later and going forward was no longer an issue :D
 
I used to have the same problem with my mare, the way I got her over it was to make her back up till i was happy and then ask to go forward again. If he still goes back ask again to back up. Dont let him turn or aything just back up or go forward. If he wants to back he will go back intill you say he can stop.

It takes lots of time and get frustrating but it really worked with my mare. You have to bear in mind that it might not work on your boy.

I had a gelding too who was backed atthe age of 7 and was very unsure and nervous and he just needed some more ground work, walking beside, walking on the end of a lead rope. long reining then but firstly with someone walking beside him. So he knows where hes going but is listening to your reins. Do exercises like getting him to stop, then walk on, trot, turn left and right. use your voice and get him used to it. This helps to back up your leg and body.

Some horses dont understand the application of leg and therefore respond better to voice commands. If he knows what Whoa or walk on etc means then he will understand what you want when you apply leg and say walk on.

Hope this helps.
 
Oh lunging as well, to again get him listening to u. If the problem isn't physical, then its either a confidence issue or he's being naughty, lunging would help with both confidence and naughtiness.

This is common in young horses x
 
If he was forward when u tried him, it really sounds like confidence, maybe unsettled in new home, or maybe trying his luck with a new owner.

Are you riding in the same tack that u tried him in? X
 
Missyme10

Different saddle from when i rode him. But he was sold with the one i have now .Maybe see about
getting the one they gave me
fitted.
 
I wondered whether that might be the case. What saddle did you try him in and are you likely to be able to get the same make, model and size to try on him now you've bought him, always accepting that it will probably need to be properly fitted to him.

It appears often to be the case that the "included" tack that you try the animal is not the tack that comes with him when he arrives!
 
How old is the horse?

Was his previous home his only home?

I think the tack might be a problem. Saddles can cause more problems than you think and it might just be restricting his movement enough for him to resist going forwards.

has his feeding changed?

The move might have just been so overwhelming for him It will probably be worth going back to basics - lunging, longreining and getting used to voice commands and building a relationship before you go further.

Get back, teeth and saddle checked just in case.
 
I agree. He may be nervous and stressed and worried give him some settling time. Get tack and back checked. And he will be fine x
 
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