Advice please

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dawnpetenathshir

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My pony has got to be the laziest pony in the world. How can I keep him going in the school please? He's wearing me out!! I know he can do schooling, he is quite capable of dressage it's just motivating him. All advice gratefully received
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Lots and lots of transitions, to wake him up and get him thinking.
Some may disagree, but i always find Max lights up after some canter work.
He too can be lazy, but the more i get him thinking the better he goes.
Mind you the easiest way to get him livened up, is to show him a jump!!
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Not much use for flatwork queries though sorry
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OK so here we come to the next problem, the pony is not too keen on cantering in the school. I'll be honest I've lost nearly half a stone this week trying to get something out of him. Not that I'm complaining about the weight loss
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. I think he had too long off in the winter as he was going really well last summer until he went lame.
 
my mare was much the same before she got fit.

a lady I had a lesson with told me to let her slow down and then kick like a thelwell kid to make her go and then not use any leg at all till she slowed right down again, and then do it again!

She also suggested loads of transitions from walk to trot for literally 3 or 4 strides of trot each time, till the horse wanted to go as it was easier to stay in trot!!

It sounds bizarre, but it did work.....

(then I got her fit, took her hunting and we havent looked back
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!!)
 
Do you start you schooling sessions on a long rein? Try warming up in a forward seat and long rein, walk, trot and canter on each rein and really think about sending him forward - think speed! Really push the canter out on the long sides. Whilst I realise that speed is not what you want to ultimately achieve in a backwards thinking horse it is often the only way to create energy.
 
Ok - just seen you next post so maybe fast canter is not an option! Lots of transitions walk to trot and without beating him up, if he doe snot go straight off your leg be prepared to instantly back it up with a schooling whip behind you leg, not over the bum. Another thought - I have an electric arse and used to "wake up" my friends lazy cob for her, do you have a similar seated person who can maybe sit on him for a few mins at the start, it really helped my friend as after a few times of me riding her she got the message and was easier to ride for my friend.
 
george can be lazy sometimes so i sympathise! Its not nice coming out of a test bright red and dripping with sweat lol! the best tip i can give is use a schooling whip to back up your leg and when hes going forward then leave him alone - even if at first he rushes off dont pull back - you asked for a forward movement and you go it so be content with that. Eventually you should find he'll become more responsive. indirect transitions ie walk to canter can help too
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Try walk to canter, he may find it easier than trot to canter. Also try 20m circle in canter left and as you come over X trot and immediately canter right for 20m circle.

Also, try different uses for the whip. I know it's unconventional but lift it up and twirl it over your head (be prepared to give with your hand and go with him if he takes off!). Or try swinging the whip in a long arc and ocassionally, kind of by accident, catching him with it - I know this sounds odd but it does work.
 
Or you could just send him to me to live coz he looks and sounds just my sort of a ned. I am NOT a brave rider and I no longer bounce well so SLOW is my all-time favourite pace!
 
Yes I think you should come and ride him with your electric seat
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. I use a schooling whip anyway so will keep trying and do all the transition changes. I don't think walk to canter is an option, I have enough trouble with walk to trot
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. I love him to bits, I just wish he was a little more responsive. He is very safe though so I guess you just can't have everything
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. Thanks everyone for all your suggestions will give it all a try.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yes I think you should come and ride him with your electric seat
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. I use a schooling whip anyway so will keep trying and do all the transition changes. I don't think walk to canter is an option, I have enough trouble with walk to trot
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. I love him to bits, I just wish he was a little more responsive. He is very safe though so I guess you just can't have everything
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. Thanks everyone for all your suggestions will give it all a try.

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Why dont you book a lesson with a good instructor...its difficult to comment on riding without seeing what is happening so all the suggestion will be based on peoples own experiences rather than what is actually happening.

It does sound as if your pony is ignoring your aids and 'if' that is the case you need to ask once and if the request is ignored use the whip and hard (sorry but for me its crueler to keep thumping away at their sides...one sharp smack to reinfoce a single request is much better in my book). He needs to be taught to listen to you.
 
My pony used to be the laziest pony ever, but he has changed so much that someone recently described him as "forward going"
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so don't lose heart, it can be done
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As others have said, try doing loads of transitions. I go round the school going between walk, trot and halt (in a random order) at every letter, praising him when he does what I ask. The halt to trot ones really get him moving!

Don't be afraid to give him a reminder with a schooling whip, hopefully he'll learn that if he ignores your legs he gets a tap, but if he does what you ask he gets praise.

Have you tried playing some pony games to show him he can have fun in the school and get him interested...maybe bending in and out of poles in trot, then cantering straight back? I used to just get Murphy to trot up to a barrel, spin round it and canter back as fast as possible
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