long yearling wont stop backing up/rearing

Question
My one and a half year old yearling has recently started to back up while on the lead when she does not want to do something- normally I continue to back her up, not stopping until i decide to. Now she has started rearing up when pushed back. We tried a butt rope to help encourage her forward, which she promptly kicked out at, bucking and squealing. What can I do to correct the issue before she becomes more dangerous? She is an Arabian cross, and definitely has a head strong personality.

Answer
Do not back her up when she does not go forward. This is an erroneous solution to some problems that has been advocated by some training "systems". You must limit any backing in her training for a long time.

Unfortunately, you made the situation worse by backing her when she did not want to go forward.
You need to teach her the first two leading positions advocated by Linda Tellington Jones in her training methods.

Pick your battles. Now you need to go back to basics and forget what she used to do. Treat her like a baby again.

You have to have calm and positive energy when you work with her. She is very upset by all of this.....even if she first caused it horses do not connect her reaction tot the butt rope as her "fault".

You will take a dressage whip or T.E.A.M. "wand" and stroke her all over with it. Think kindly of her.You are her leader and trainer. After she accepts the whip as a harmless object, you can teach her to go forward by the following method:

Stand on the left side of her near her shoulder facing her haunches. You will stroke her on her back two times and then give her a "tap-tap" with the whip as you pull on the lead rope wo have her go forward. WAIT...give her time to get the wheels turning in her head to figure it out. She may be a bit afraid of you (sorry) and not want to go into your space.

It is not the worst idea to give her a treat if she acts nervous. Horses are not able to associate a complex response as a reward for bad behavior in this instance. Keep up the "formula". Tap tap, and ask for one step forward and then reward generously.

Discover the source of the first bad behavior. Were you trying to lead her somewhere where she did not want to go? Some training methods are combative....the horse has to do everything you want or it is a direct disobedience. Horses are usually quite willing to do what is asked if they understand and are not nervous or afraid.

Let me know of your progress.

Summersdressage@aol.com