When training a spirited horse you will sometimes run across one who pulls out all the stops to show you that you simply aren't the alpha horse in his eyes. Horses may bite, stomp, kick and the ultimate act of defiance, laying down when you want him to walk or stand to be saddled.

If this is new behavior in an otherwise well behaved horse, the first thing you should do is rule out anything physical. Anything causing your horse great discomfort or pain can cause him to act out. In this case it isn't defiance but a cry for help. If a new saddle or bit is causing him pain for example, he might lay down to actively avoid having to deal with either.

If you simply have a spirited horse trying to one-up you and be in charge, you simply have to gently reassert yourself as top horse when he does this. When your horse lays down, he is actually fearful of you, stroke his head and tell him he is in no danger from you and make him feel comfortable. Soon he will raise his head and neck and then get up. When your horse is up on all fours, continue the gentle stroking and tell him he's a good boy (or girl), and don't attempt to saddle your horse right away. Start off by leading your horse in a small confined area.

If you have determined neither the saddle nor the bit is causing pain, go ahead and saddle your horse, pay attention to how tightly you strap the girth. Tell your horse to remain standing and if he begins to go down, start stroking and reassuring him and in most cases this will begin to assert you as top horse and develop the pecking order in your horse's mind that he needs in order to respect you and listen to you.

Work with your horse every day on this until he fully trusts you and the laying down problem should be a thing of the past.