Kimberly Harrison the secret is to not use your legs to ask him to go.  The more you kick the slower he'll get.  I spank them with a quirt or rein  and if they slow down, I spank again.  Spurs will just make them dull as well.  Hope this helps!

Kimberly Harrison 👍 it's all about the reps.🙂

Craig Ironside Congratulations on your progress!  I wish I could help on the draft thing, but I've only ever ridden a couple drafts in my career.  I don't think muscle development is the problem, though.  I would still recommend working on that speed control.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but get her to pick up the pace on your cue so that you can control her if she decides to pick up the pace without you.  Make sense?

Stesha Reukauf absolutely.  That's where your problem is most likely.

Michelle Houle try asking less and releasing more.  Build on the smallest movement over the course of a week.  Ask and watch to see the life come up in her, then release.  next, see if you can get her to look away, then release.  Then one step, etc.  See if you can slowly put the life back in her feet.  Don't be afraid to get aggressive if need be, but release just as quickly when she responds.  This is a big job, but not impossible.  Good luck!!

Michelle Houle What you are experiencing with your mare is a very common issue.  I'll do my best to help you fix it.  More than likely she has lost all her life because (just making an assumption based on others I've seen) you have asked her to move too much.  Not that she has moved too much, but that she has been asked too much.  When we ask a horse to move out and they begin to, but we don't stop asking, the horse figurse that she has made the wrong decision by moving and eventually stops moving all together.  Sort of like if I asked you to walk beside me and you say "sure" and start walking.  Then I ask you again.  You will say, "but I'm already walking!" and then I ignore you and continue asking over and over again.  You will eventually give up and go home.  

If you cluck to your horse and she starts moving, but you continue to cluck and wave the flag, she figures you must want her to do something else, but since she can't figure it out she just quits.  Make sense?

Craig Ironside How's it going with your mare?

Kimberly Harrison I just start with one that I think the horse will get along with and then I let them where it several times.  If they don't accept it (they almost always do) then I try something else.   No real science, just trial and error.  Good luck!🙂

Stesha Reukauf I hate to hear about the bucking!  I hope you're ok.  It's hard to say exactly what the problem is, but I would say the cause is what you suspect.  He needs to fully understand and be confident moving forward off the cluck and smooch before you get back on.  Try working on moving him without a flag.  Get him up to a lope and back down to a walk just off your posture/verbals.  Cluck to go faster, low and slow talking (or a hum) to bring him down.

Then, step up in the saddle, then step back down and move his feet several times.  He should put the two together and move on out quietly for you.  Also, make sure he's plenty winded before you try another ride.😂. Good luck and keep me posted.🙂

Stesha Reukauf i hate to hear you came off, I hope you're not hurt!  I would guess, without witnessing the event, is that your horse wasn't confident moving his feet with you sitting up there.  I'd slow down and make sure he 100% understands to move off a verbal cue (cluck/smooch), step up in the saddle, get off, move his feet, repeat.  Make sure he's not fresh and that he understand the snaffle bit and that you can stop and turn him (ground driving).  I've never had it fail me if I make sure I do my homework🙂.  As far as personal confidence, I'd just keep going and try not to let the past events bother you.  I know that's easier said than done, but it's the only way I'm aware of.  Keep us posted. 🙂