Answer

By Your Horse

Instructor Alison Ritchie says…

I agree that you shouldn’t hit your young horse as this totally fails to address the cause of the rearing. For example, if it is due to a lack of confidence or pain, then you will soon make the problem much worse by reacting so aggressively.
Rather than kicking your young horse forward, let him stop and then turn him instead. If you persist in trying to move him forward he will simply put the brakes on harder.
Downward transitions finish with a halt, and to confirm a halt we ask young horses to take a step backwards. A step further than that and our horse’s feet come off the floor, and this is what’s happening in your case.
Your training has to be progressive. Forget about leaving the yard for a hack and do some schooling in the arena or around the yard.
In-hand work is a good idea. Teach your horse to move sideways to the right and left, and train him to lead correctly, walking beside you. Lead him around the yard like this, rewarding good behaviour.
When you hack out, ride with a friend on a horse who can hack out quietly and obediently. This will show your horse the way and help build his confidence. Do this until you’re both more relaxed, and make each experience a pleasant one.
Continue to teach your horse the basic commands, practising what you have taught him on the ground while you’re on board – ie going forwards, backwards and sideways.
Your horse is young and his lessons are all new. If he doesn’t obey you at first this is more likely to be because he doesn’t understand, rather than naughtiness.