Horse not moving forward

Question
Hi Dorothy,
Lets see if i can explain the right, i have a 3.5 yo gelding, whom i have been training for a while now with no real problems until yesterday, he has come to resist moving forward, and even starts to back up when i ask him to trot.  I have a feeling that this is just gonna get worse and he will start rearing.  Also, when he does trot, he starts to put his head down, and im pretty sure its so he can try to buck.  Im tempted to not get on him and start driving him, but im just not sure where this is coming from, im sure it is an issue that has been there but is just getting worse in the last few days.  Any halp or suggestions would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Gratia

Answer
Hello Gratia,

Horses put their heads down because they need to stretch their cramped backs.  Let him put it all the way till his nose is on the ground if that is what he wants.  For at least 2 minutes out of each 10 minutes of work.  

But first, let me explain that a 3.5 year old should not be doing real "work".  He should still be out on the trail following happily after older horses for at least an hour a day, maybe more.  Not until 4 should he be put into real work.  Have you been working him on a circle for very long?  At what age did he begin work?  At any case, he is much too young to "drive".  He needs a year from about 4-5 for just moving forward at his own natural trot before he does a working trot.

Just don't push him too much, let him follow other horses or go out on the trail alone if he is calm, let him have fun moving forward and let him put his head down, down, down.

Happy riding,
Dorothy