training to drive

Question
Dear Melissa: I recently purchased an 11 year old mini. "corky" has strictly been a pet/pony rides mini for the last 11 years. I would like to train him to eventually pull a cart for me, but he does not move forward willingly. He will lead, but when put in a round pen and asked to move forward he just looks at me after going around once. He does not respond to a lunge whip, or even to one with a plastic bag tied to it. he is not intimidated by anything and I am unsure how to get him moving willingly. if I stand behind him, he will not move either. any suggestions? I have worked with several horses in these areas before, but never minis, and definately not with a little guy who respects nothing asking him to move forward. thanks for your time, Meg

Answer
Well I haven't had but one horse who refused to go forward. That horse is now with a trainer! Is your mini clipped or have some extra padding on his hind end? If he is hairy at all I might be tempted to try clipping his hind end and trying that with a whip applied to his hinny when he stops.It is unfortunate for these little guys to end up being used by kids in pony rides and partys as it usually ends up with them having harder mouths and unresponsive to whips. There is a not so nice way to get them moving which is why my kid is with the trainer and not me you can use what is called a hot shot and basically gives them a short jolt like they do with cattle but usually you use it once and they are more then willing to go forward after that. I am can't do that to my horses but this guy needed more then I could do to get him going so he learned a lesson after being given three opportunities to move forward and co-operate. You could try using some of the john lyons training on this guy and I believe he even has a website you can ask questions. This is one of those questions I wish I had another answer for but a horse that has had the kind of beginning yours has had becomes oblivious to the regular training techniques. I will do some inquiry to a couple of my mini trainer friends and see if any of them have furthur advice.My kid went to a big horse trainer to get through his problem. Will get back to you if I get anything better for you. Melissa