How to get forward impulsion from your horse?

The correct way to ask your horse to go forward is to relax your hands and squeeze gently with both lower legs. The legs should never 'kick' the horse's sides. You can add a little 'cluck' and that verbally reinforces the leg aid. Don't forget to relax your hands. If your hands tighten up they may pull back on the reins a little and the message to your horse will be mixed. The legs said move forward but the hands said whoa. A lot of people when first learning to ride raise their hands and shake the reins. In their inexperience they think shaking the reins means go. As skills improve they learn most riding comes from the legs and seat.