wranglert69
One of the first things that I can recommend i to have a vet check looking for spinal problems as well as hip problems. I would also be sure to have his teeth checked. A horse that cannot flex at the neck usually indicates spinal problems. It really sounds like your horse is in pain and the only why that he can express it is to refuse.

Cheers

Hi wranglert69,
My daughter has one of her ponies that is the same way.
He is 7 years old now and the only way he will move is if you lead him and he does not truly lead, by Monty's standards.
While I was there I asked her if I could try something with him, she is reluctant for anyone else to train her horses because she has her own way.
She agreed. I took him by the lead rope and started to walk slowly with him and gradually increased our spead, eventually he was almost running.
We had pilons in there and I had him weaving around them.
Fianally, I stood by his shoulders, and using only my arms as directors, had him moving, quickly. Some horses have to be made to move their feet, quickly, in order for them to learn to move at all and at a steady gait.
She asked, how did you do this? I told her it was my body language.
This pony has always been pushy, with everyone, but now after only one session he is much better.
Backing a horse up that will not move also helps with getting the feet to move. I started slowly and then increased the speed.
He has terrible feet and they are not cleaned properly on a regular basis, when she started to clean them, instead of my granddaughter, he moves better.
Maybe you could get a vet to look at him and see if there might be problems, if the vet gives a clear bill of health perhaps using stronger body language with him will work, as it did with Tama.
As Monty would say go back to the basics, ground work. Get them moving on the ground with clear body language and this will carry through on the saddle.
A question, how long have you had him?
When you say he rears from the giddy-up rope, I wonder if perhaps he has been abused and if so you have a whole different pattern to follow, remedial horse.
I hope this can be of some assistance and start you on your trip!
Ronda

Ronda
Good comments I do worry thought that there may be a physical problem as well. Not being able to flex at the neck would worry me, unless you know the horse when left along has no problem flexing his neck, I would want it checked by a vet or chiropractor

Cheers

Hello all
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Once again, great advice here, but did you use the Pacifyer Mask with the Giddy-Up rope? I am no professional, but I think that they both need to be used together so that the horse makes the right choice by going forward, not up, back or wherever else.
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Also, I totally agree with Dennis that any chance of a physical problem needs to be ruled out.
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Hope it all works out well for you :-) It would be great if you could let us know how you go.
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Kind regards,
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Gen

If there is a Myofascial release horse bodyworker in your area, try to have a session for your horse. It can make a vast difference, especially if there are cranial/sacral issues.

Marg

Good advice all round ,but no one mantions how the gelding moves when he is free in the paddock or field.That would interest me forst before applying anything human on him.

I am with Dennis and Sasafras.
It sounds like a problem with pain and/or stiffness that a vet should look at - and definitely assess how he moves in a field.

Dear wrangler69

Could you precise whether your horse does not move with the rider in the saddle or does not move doing groundwork?