Horse not moving forward

Question
Hi, I have a 3 1/2 yr old crossbred gelding that I have just started under saddle.  He had not been gelded or ever handled before I got him 1 yr ago.  His has good ground manners but lately he will not lunge anymore (he will NOT move forward no matter what and turns in and has lunged at me a few times.  He also has started doing this under saddle and will not budge forward with a voice, squeeze, kick, crop or spur command.  If he does move it is only for a few steps and then he plants his feet again.  He was doing fine for a while at w/t under saddle and on the lunge.  I haven't changed anything I've been doing. He is being ridden in a full cheek copper mouth snaffle.  I'm stuck.  Please help.  Thanks!


Answer
Hi R.!

My advice would be to stop riding him completely until you fix this on the longe line.

He is very young and is not being so much willful but, I believe he has gaps in his training and is genuinely confused about what to do.  So, he just does nothing.
This is common and I see it allot.

Keep him on the longe line or in the roundpen until he is doing all the gaits on voice command.  Do not worry that you have lost ground or need to "catch-up"!  He is only 3!!  If you take the time to explain this to him now, you will fend off many, many problems in the future.

How to get him to go on the longe when he refuses?  You know your horse after a year and you know how far you can push him.  You will have to be physical and get him moving forward no matter what.

If you are not comfortable doing this, hire a professional experienced in babies to get you over this hump and teach you how to do it.

Keep his hooves moving forward and always be thinking ahead of his hooves!

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

Solange