5YR GELDING THAT SETS SO MUCH HE CAN NOT PUSH OFF

I HAVE A 5YR GELDING THAT SETS SO MUCH HE CAN NOT PUSH OFF HIS REAR PROPERLY. ALSO HE GOES DIRECTLY TO THE BARREL CUTTING OFF ANY POCKET. I THINK WIDE CIRCLES WOULD HELP KEEPING A FORWARD MOTION AND I AM THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING HIM TO THE LEFT. THIS IS A REAL NICE HARD SETTING HORSE-BIT SETTING SO MUCH HE CAN NOT PROPERLY TURN–ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD HELP ALOT. THANKS, RANDA

Yes,
loping the circles and half arounds will help teach this horse to maintain forward motion but more than anything it will teach him to listen to you and let you “call the shots”. If you don’t want him to go directly to the barrel, cutting off any pocket, then ride him accordingly. You are the leader of this team and need to assert your leadership by directing your horse where you want to go. If you leave it up to him to make those decisions then he will begin to anticipate the turn even more because he is unsure of your direction.
Martha Wright