throwing head side to side under saddle

I bought a mare about a year ago. I have taken her on a few rides alone and sometimes she stops and I go to encourage her by kicking she will start throwing her neck from side to side so hard she almost fell down. Is she just trying to have her way? I longed her afterwards and that didnt help. I don't know what to do with her. I am going to change saddles today and see if that helps. Any suggestions??

By kicking do you mean actually kicking or pressing with your legs until she steps forward?

Sounds like she's just throwing a fit because she wants to go back home. Only thing I could tell you at this point is keep her mind on a job. Do circles and act like you are working.

Have you tried tapping her butt with a crop? Don't actually whack her but just encourage her with some taps.

Another question... do you ride english or western? I don't know how you ride but sometimes I see this just being an issue of mixed signals of the rider.

I ride her in western. She also has a very sensitive mouth so I only use lead ropes on a halter. I was riding her and we approached some dogs that were tyed up and they started barking instead of spooking or bolting the mare just strarted throwing her head around. The other day I let a frined ride her and she wouldnt do anything. I rode her in circles everytime she feels pressure from the reins doing a turn she starts throwing her head around. I have smacked her for it and she started throwing around even more.

Yeah it sounds like she's green and not ready under saddle. I would do more ground work with her (not so much lunging but bends on the ground and asking her to move out and turning her until she falls into rythem with you) until she fully understands what you are asking her to do. I also wouldn't ride in a halter, I would get her used to a snaffle until she is light and supple and knows what you are asking her to do. Every horse has a sensative mouth, you just need to work her her until she hardly needs any pressure for her to do what you are asking .

Is she sore??? Alot of horses will head toss like that because they're sore through the back or shoulders. I'd get that checked out before you start laying into her for being 'naughty'

How would you work a horse on the ground to get them used to the snaffle bit? The last time I used the snaffle she rared up and fell on a gate. This happened as I was turning her with a small amount of pressure. I thought that maybe I should get a rubber bit for her. What are some exercises I can do on the ground with her???

Do you know how to long rein or even just lunge?? Put her in a snaffle and lunge her with the lunge rein threaded through the bit and onto the roller so she doesn't have a direct pressure on the bit to start with. If she goes to rear or pull away you can then safely pull her head around to get her out of it. Long reining is better though for mouthing, if you knwo hwo to do it or are able to get someone experienced to do it a few times for you, it just lets her feel the bit moving aound in her mouth and she'll start to work out that it's not a problem. With you on her back if she panics I bet you lose your balance which in turns will worry her even more. Thus long reining is probably your best option ;)