advice pls... need to get my girl moving!!

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showaddy1

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Hi all, bought my dream girl, 16'2" Irish Draft x... wanted something calmer in my old age. She is rising 4 and broken., 99% bombproof, an angel with my children and adored by all.
Anyway, my problem being I cant get her to move forward without an enormous amount of effort by myself, I've tried everything I can think of and quite honestly by the time i get off her I'm knackered!!
She's back on her d&h pasture mix after having a reaction to the competition mix (too much protein??), she doesn't respond to a crop ( I could flap it around all day and she wouldn't bat an eyelid!!) and doesn't change speed whether ridden first or last.
I'm aware she is only young and may change as she matures, neither am I unrealistic enough to think she has a chance at the grand national!!
If anyone has any ideas they could share I would be grateful...
 
You could try the soft rope method flicked over her withers from side to side. Other than that, check she is not in pain. My unusually 'lazy' TB was that way because he had kissing spine. Not saying your mare has that of course but sometimes reluctance to work can be due to pain from an ill fitting saddle, sore feet, tooth problems, you name it. Apart froom that, maybe she has become dead to your leg and needs taking back in her schooling to teach her the aids. Lots of transitions, never nag with the legs, just a soft squeeze and if she doesn't respond back it up with the schooling whip or a hard kick but then immediate still leg when she responds.
 
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I shall try this tactic tomorrow!!

I try not to kick at all, she doesn't respond to it.... I have to 'squeeze' her forward, on the plus side my btm and abs are the best they have ever been!!!

I am riding her in a thorowgood t4 cob saddle, her teeth have only recently been done and she is shod every 6 weeks, neither is she any different when ridden bareback in a headcollar!!

I think I just need to slow my pace and appreciate her for the big boned, slow paced beauty that she is....
 
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