Why Horses Balk and What to Do About It

Some horses will respond to a tap on the haunches with a crop or whip, but you need to time your aid well and be consistent. This can be difficult for a beginner who may not know when to apply both natural and artificial aids at the same time.

Ground Work

One exercise that is useful for dealing with a balking horse is the team method that includes the “Dingo” cue. By teaching the horse to respond to the touch of a wand (whip) on its haunches when in hand, the cue can then be used in the saddle. It's more fun to be in the saddle, but working on problems on the ground can often be the shorter road.

Riding Through Balkiness

Another way to work through a balk is to busy the horse's mind with something else. If your horse doesn't go forward, you can turn it in a small circle, asking it to obey with your rein, seat and leg aids. The idea is not to spin the horse so it becomes disoriented, but to take its mind off of balking.

Alternatively, if your horse and you understand how to do a leg yield, a half or full pass, you may 'practice' these for a few moments to distract the horse. During these exercises, you need to stay relaxed and confident, remembering to breathe and look where you want to go, not at the horse. If a horse is balking because it is ring sour, that is, it is bored with being ridden around a ring, doing something else like trail riding or driving may give it a new attitude towards its work.

When Balking Can Become Dangerous

Breaking the habit of balking can take time. Just like the process of de-spooking your horse, you may need the help of a coach or instructor who will help you learn the appropriate aids and timing. If your horse seems inclined to balk and rear, it's time to get professional help. Rearing is a dangerous habit, that can cause injury to both horse and rider.