youngster refusing to go forward

hellywelly1

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hi all
teddy is now doing brilliant since his liver trouble however we are having a small problem! once your on he rufuses to move forward off your leg. he will amble in walk if you use your seat only but as soon as you put leg on he plants his feet or full speed backwards.
Is this just a baby game? he is only four bless him and i know he was backed before we got his but i doubt he has been school. he had his saddle checked last night has he has changed shape since recovering from liver trouble.

was going to suggest to the riding instructor i am going to use to trying him on lunge with a ridder on board as he doesnt react well to either a schooling whipor crop.

Has any one else experienced this with their youngsters??:confused
 
Ruling out physical problems this is definitely something you need to get on top of before it becomes a bad habit.

Does he understand voice aids? If he does, try using your voice at the same time as you apply your leg aid. If he still does not go forward, repeat but with a stronger leg backed up with a flick from your stick. Did you see him ridden before you bought him as it does sound as though he wasn't backed too well.

I would recommend getting the help of a good trainer if you are unable to get him going forward on your own.

I don't know your situation but it may be worth getting someone to reback him for you who knows what they are doing.

When we back our youngsters the most important thing for us is to get them to go forward.
 
yes i saw him riden and he would go forward after a nap or two! but he's had 12weeks off due to his liver. part of me just thinks he's taking the pee as if you get him straight in to trot he doesnt bother however we are only meant to be doing walk at the mo
 
If he is only in walk work at the moment would it be worth doing this in-hand and waiting to tackle his napping until he it fitter?
 
he is only allowed to walk under saddle and does walk and trot on lunge so im unsure if he is just taking pee as believe it or not he is quite fit considering. he doesnt nap in hand or when to ride and put your leg on
 
It does sound as though he is taking the proverbial.

We had a youngster who tried putting the handbrake on whenever she felt like it and was really quite unconcerned about the stick. We have a sand and rubber school and found that having someone on the ground who could toss a handful of rubber at her bum whenever she tried to stop worked for her.
 
Had the same problem with my youngster, he would also buck if i smacked him and I would back off, got a event rider out to ride him..... he went like stink, she took no prisoners, used a schooling whip in both hands quess what.... he didnt even try to buck, and she didnt need to smack him...well not much! Went beautifully, he was taking the pee out of me! I then grew some and had the same success. Probably you feel worried to push him too much as he has been poorly which is understandable.
 
Try hacking out with company. If you can't hack out perhaps have another horse in the school with you as a kind of lead. My mare wasn't as bad as yours but wasn't very forward in the school. She hacked out 4 or 5 times, went back in the school and it was like I was on a different horse. She just floated off my leg!!
 
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