5 year old horse doesnt move forward

Question
My 5year old horse does not want to move when I want to
work him in the ring, riding him.The same applies when we
are riding outside. I am not an experienced horse trainer
but I have been riding for many years. I have two other horses which I ride without any problems.The one is a rescued horse and a darling. This youn horse was born on
our farm. He was never ill treated and he roams around freely with his mom and the other horse.
I have never lunged him or did ground work. He is easily
mounted and accepts his bit with out a problem.

In the ring he would move around a couple of times and re-
fuse to move further I tap him with the crop or give him
a ridingschool kicks but in vain.He reacts with a cow kick
and even bucks. He follows "whoa" voice command very well
but moving forward or getting him to trot is very difficult.
I started taking him out of the paddock. He is eagar to go out but even here the "not moving forward problem" occurs.
It could be due to him not being familiar with the new experience. I want to ride him and I want to understand his behaviour. Please help!!!!!!!!!!
I'm 49 years old and I love my horses.

Answer
Hi Marieke!

Sometimes it's not enough to just love your horses, as you say you do.  You must train them correctly and thoroughly.  You said you did not longe him or do any ground training, which would/could/should have included longlining.  These are important steps in his training and now you are seeing what happens when you skip important steps.

He is being kind out of his natural personality and not attempting to hurt you.  This is good.  Keep pushing him though with no real communication and he will eventually get mad.  This is bad.

My suggestion is to stop riding him altogether.  You cannot teach him what he needs to know from the saddle.  If you could, you would have already, right?

He needs to learn the correct movements that connect to the cues you give him.  This needs to be done on the longe, either free in a pen or on the longeline.  You need help.  Speak to your vet, farrier or tack shop and have them recommend a local trainer to come out to your place and evaluate your situation.  Discuss your goals and form a training plan with them.

Picture yourself in a college classroom being kicked by the teacher to give the correct answer to a problem you "should" have learned in grade school....but, no one ever took you to grade school.  Is the kicking helping you get the right answer??  I didn't think so.  Your boy has gaps in his training that must be filled in.  Then you will have a willing and trusting riding partner that you can easily communicate with for the next 20 years!!

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

Solange