braking in my new forest

Question
hi, i have a 4 year ols new forest mare,, i broke her last sumer. then turned her away for a while, now i have a problem because she will not go forward one bit. iv squeezed kiked pushed and also talked to her. iv keeped calm and even tried to follow another horse. if she is been lunged or lead. she is fine. its just when your on her back. bt iv cheked her back and nothing is bothering her! could you help????

Answer
Hi Jenny!

It is a very common issue for a just broke horse to refuse to move.  Actually, this is not a bad thing.  The horse is telling you she is not fully prepared to ride as a broke horse and she is telling you in a very non-dangerous way.  No bucking, no rearing, no taking off...just passive resistance.  Not good but, not bad.

What to do?

Forget getting on her back right now and return to the basics.  Lots of longeing and cementing your communication with her so that she fully and completely understands what a cluck and a kick will mean when you get on her back again.  She may need a little extra time to catch on to what you want her to do.  You did not say what your breaking/training program was but, I would guess it just wasn't enough for her.  Every horse is different and we must accept and work with that.

So, return to her ground training until you really feel she is understanding what you are asking her to do.  Be patient, be consistent and be firm.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange