Horse balking and backing up

Question
Hello, I have a 5yr Quarter/Paint mare.  She is a wonderful horse except she will just stop,and start backing up. Circling her is the ONLY way to stop her from backing.  The lady I purchased her from let her get away with it.  Would dismount and lead her, or back her thru the problem area, or just turn around and let her go back home.  She has backed me in to a fence and a deep ditch.  I don't know if she gets sensory overload, or if she just avoiding.  She doesn't "feel" afraid, a little apprehensive, but not spooked. I have never had a horse that does this, how do I keep her moving forward?  I am just trying her out before I buy her and I really like everything else about her, and I refuse to let her go backwards on a trail, she could really hurt herself.  Can I solve this problem?

Answer
Going forward from the rider's leg develops into a type of "reflex' for the horse. it becomes almost a simultaneous reaction. This comes over time with correct training.

This is background. Your horse reacting as she is now, is probably a learned , (abeit) undesired behavior. it may have sdtarted when she was hesitant about going forward toward something and yes, if the rider allows this to happen, then it just gradually becomes the problem you now have.A horse going forward from your leg pressure is actually one of the MOST important things it must do for you to consider buying it.

This can be a problem what causes you not to buy her, but I will tell you what has worked for me.This horse (a client's) was so bad that she almost backed me up into a large swimming pool!

I lunged her, making sure she understood about going forward from my voice and motions of whip. On my web site I have an article about lungeing correctly. wwww.MitziSummers.com. It does not involve hitting the horse with a whip or yelling or snapping the whip.

If the horse lunges correctly I then put the rider on. (Just like how I start a young horse). When she uses her leg, I also encourage the horse to go forward. This again makes it a reflex. Then you can carry this into your basic training.Be aware, however, that not going forward from your leg can also cause your horse to start rearing (very dangerous).

I have also gotten on a very sour horse and had a big battle with the horse, using spurs, (which I intensely dislike) OR a bat (whip) and then as soon as the horse went forward praising the horse. This also worked very well and took just two sessions. But you have to be a very balanced and secure rider to do this. (I was younger then also).We almost ended up on top ofa tractor.

As much as you like her, you do not want to get hurt. This is a serious problem. PLease let me know how you are doing.

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