Horse Refusing To Move Forward

Rein Hold for a Balking Horse
A balking horse is one that refuses to move forward in response to normal cues, usually because you are asking him to go somewhere he doesn’t want to go. Baring legitimate reasons for the horse not to go forward, like asking him to step over a rattlesnake, the horse has become willfully disobedient and you must correct him immediately. Cue him to move forward by first reaching your hands up towards his ears, letting your weight to come forward and your legs to stretch back and close in his sides. Be sure to exaggerate reaching forward so your horse is very clear of your intentions; often I see people pulling back on the reins when trying to cue the horse forward. When he is looking for an excuse not to go forward, even the slightest contact on the reins will give him to excuse he is looking for and reaching forward and shifting your weight forward will also discourage him from rearing, which is a more extreme refusal to move forward.