[palmateert]

So here's the deal. My 2yr old quarter horse mare is great on the ground. I can ground drive, lounge , showmanship you name it she can do it. I normally send them to my trainer to be broke out but he thinks its time I break one out on my own. I am determined! She has excepted me as a rider no buck kick bit rear nothing she will walk around I can put as much leg pressure as possible BUT when I click for forward motion(and she knows what that means) she starts backing up at incredible speeds! Yes I have tried taking her in circles as soon as I ask for her to move forward but she will back the whole arena till SHE feels like stopping. So if you could help me out with any suggestions that would be great.

[tlwidener]

Got a friend with an older broke horse to lead you? Sometimes that helps and builds confidence.

[Rhythmic Hooves]

Actually I would guess this is not that uncommon because i know my horses do it when they decide it's time to quit. I am not a trainer but my suggestion is to beat her to the punch. Get on and ask her to back her butt up. Make her work (going backwards is not the easiest thing for them) and when she gets ready to stop as for a couple more steps.

I won't swear that will work but when mine find the reverse and refuse to move forward I say "Fine. You think that's fun... how do you enjoy backing up some more?" My opinion (not ever having seen your horses) is that she probably is being hardheaded rather than confused.

[palmateert]

Yes I had my dad jump on my other horse and it works great. But she already knows that if another horse is there she has to go forward. Its when we are on the other side of the arena(which is very small) alone that she does this

[palmateert]

Originally Posted by Rhythmic Hooves

Actually I would guess this is not that uncommon because i know my horses do it when they decide it's time to quit. I am not a trainer but my suggestion is to beat her to the punch. Get on and ask her to back her butt up. Make her work (going backwards is not the easiest thing for them) and when she gets ready to stop as for a couple more steps.

I won't swear that will work but when mine find the reverse and refuse to move forward I say "Fine. You think that's fun... how do you enjoy backing up some more?" My opinion (not ever having seen your horses) is that she probably is being hardheaded rather than confused.

Ok, good thought. Oh she is definetly being hard headed, the confused was ruled out after the third lightning reverse. But I am trying to not make this into a habit I wanna nip it in the but asap.

[angie j]

One of my mares did the same thing for awhile. I got to the point where I knew 'when' she was going to refuse and start backing; My rule was "if" she is going to refuse 'don't' ask. I'd wait until she moved forward (in any direction) on her own before I started riding again. If she just 'stood' there I'd practice 'giving' to the bit/flexing until she was bored and 'wanted' to move. LIke you, I didn't want it to become a habit so I avoided the fight. Eventually, when her 'listening' skills improved she would seek a release when I asked her to go R or L (circle). Remember, horses are condition responce animals, you need to 'condition' her to listen, the idea that they do it becasue they 'know' what you want is nieve She probably 'does' know what you want, now you have to teach her to 'want to' listen.

[PinkHorse]

It's not uncommon for them to be confused about the "forward" thing when you get on their backs regardless of the amount of groundwork. Have somebody put you on a longe line but treat it as a lead at first. When you use your voice, seat & leg to ask the horse to move forward, your helper should lead the horse forward. Give heaps of praise, walk a few more steps, stop and repeat. Gradually have your helper move into the middle of the longe circle then remove the longe line. It will probably take more than 1 session before it all sinks in.

I definitely would not reinforce the evasive behaviour by asking the horse to back up.

[TrickPony]

Originally Posted by Rhythmic Hooves

Actually I would guess this is not that uncommon because i know my horses do it when they decide it's time to quit. I am not a trainer but my suggestion is to beat her to the punch. Get on and ask her to back her butt up. Make her work (going backwards is not the easiest thing for them) and when she gets ready to stop as for a couple more steps.

Don't do this on a colt... you will be fighting the back up as an evasion for the rest of their life (or a while at least).

If she's a good lunger get somebody on the ground to help you. When you cluck/bump her sides have the person stand behind her and move her forward with a cue that she's solid and comfortable with. If you asked her to move out in the roundpen and she backed up you wouldn't tolerate it - so don't here either.

Buttt... that having been said she might scoot forward, and you have to let her. Don't get scared and grab her face - she will have no idea what she was supposed to learn. I would ride her with a halter so you're not tempted.

[ColorMyWorld]

My filly did that as well.

I just had someone lead us around for a few rides while I gave voice and leg commands, then lunged a ride or two. It worked great.

[SaddleUp158]

I agree with not backing a just broke horse to that degree. I think in the long run it will cause you problems. If everything has been tried, then maybe think about it, but the lunging idea sounds like a good plan.