Arena, me or something else?

J_sarahd

J_sarahd

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Shadow isn’t the most forward horse in the school and I put it down to his balance/strength. He’s great on hacks and will walk/trot/canter perfectly with others and on our own.

Usually, our first canter transition in the school is tricky but after that, he is perfect and goes as soon as I ask. I usually canter quite soon in our warm up, off his back, as I have found that it makes his trot much better. His go-to is to trot around quite lacklustre but after a canter, it’s much more forward and engaged (nowhere near perfect).

However, today, I did my usual warm up and he just felt so much more lacklustre than usual. I asked for canter and he offered it, but then didn’t follow through with it. Lots and lots of transitions helped but it still felt not our usual. Lots of transitions usually make him quite buzzy but today, he would just completely die if I wasn’t nagging him to go forward.

The sheer amount of rain we’ve had has made our rubber surface deeper so is it likely that he’s just struggling with the deeper surface? Or is it something I’m doing? Or maybe even something else? He’s had his saddle and teeth checked recently and the physio has seen him. He is fairly undermuscled for a 5 year old and hasn’t really done much schooling before coming to me.
 
Do you have a video? I’d be happy to look and give my opinion :)

If it’s just this one day, try to not worry. We all have off days. If he’s lacklustre in general, what’s his diet like?
 
IrishMilo said:
Do you have a video? I’d be happy to look and give my opinion :)

If it’s just this one day, try to not worry. We all have off days. If he’s lacklustre in general, what’s his diet like?
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I don’t but I can get one. Thank you

He’s generally laidback in the school in trot and canter - which I think is down to balance as our school is 20x40 and the surface isn’t the best. Not yet had chance to box up and try him in a bigger arena. Out hacking he isn’t lacklustre at all - the only time I’d say he is is if I’m trotting to catch up, which is usually only a stride or two and I think that’s a bit of him and me. If we do a proper trot, he’s much better.

He is currently fed:
A&P Muscle & focus
Topspec cool balancer (I’m switching from this to the A&P so decreasing how much he has over time til its gone)
Hi-fi molasses free
Linseed

He is also fed half haylage and half hay
 
With one day off I would try not to worry (I mean I'd be awake at 3am not following my own advice but....)

The weather is horrible so it could be he's feeling flat. Finger crossed by the end of the week he's back to normal.
 
How often do you school him? Could he be getting a bit stale? I know you mention hacking but just conscious that the time of year with short days, flooded bridleways and icy roads, the school is often the most regular option to ride. Some horses can get fed up with it if it's too often in their view (one of mine does - still responsive and does what he's asked, but feels like he really can't be bothered with it unless you put a jump up).

ETA this is even with using varied schooling plans, routines, exercises etc to try and keep it fresh.
 
SEL said:
With one day off I would try not to worry (I mean I'd be awake at 3am not following my own advice but....)

The weather is horrible so it could be he's feeling flat. Finger crossed by the end of the week he's back to normal.
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This, a lot of horses dont cope well with the werid weather changes.

Also he could need some vit E and salt added in, just to help his muscles as being a youngster with growing muscles
 
HJJ said:
How often do you school him? Could he be getting a bit stale? I know you mention hacking but just conscious that the time of year with short days, flooded bridleways and icy roads, the school is often the most regular option to ride. Some horses can get fed up with it if it's too often in their view (one of mine does - still responsive and does what he's asked, but feels like he really can't be bothered with it unless you put a jump up).

ETA this is even with using varied schooling plans, routines, exercises etc to try and keep it fresh.
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Once or twice a week usually. We’re quite lucky where we are with our hacking
 
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It could just be a one off, my Connie could be backwards in the school. He was much better when fit and muscled. Like you say he could just be finding it hard work. I also find in winter they can have days when they are buzzy. and days when they are flat. I often wonder if it is weather dependent, cold muscles, using energy to keep warm etc, I wouldn't panic yet
 
Thanks everyone, I was panicking a lot yesterday but you’ve helped calm my brain! Like I said, my brain just always immediately goes to pain even when there are usually other explanations!
 
Is it on one particular rein that he is struggling to get canter or both? Often difficulty with the right rein can be a warning sign however, I had a horse that was like this in deep arenas and had no pain issues. A bit like yours he was a bit undermuscled at the time, I would sometimes switch to schooling on grass (obviously when the weather allows) and he was like a different horse!

I would say just something to keep an eye on and maybe once it dries out see what he's like if you school him out hacking.
 
Barklands said:
Is it on one particular rein that he is struggling to get canter or both? Often difficulty with the right rein can be a warning sign however, I had a horse that was like this in deep arenas and had no pain issues. A bit like yours he was a bit undermuscled at the time, I would sometimes switch to schooling on grass (obviously when the weather allows) and he was like a different horse!

I would say just something to keep an eye on and maybe once it dries out see what he's like if you school him out hacking.
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He is marginally worse on the right rein, but every single horse I’ve owned or had the ride of has been worse on the right rein so I think a lot of that is me. Yeah, gonna try schooling him out hacking and see what he’s like
 
Is he stabled or field kept? A mostly stabled horse should have energy to spare when exercised at this time of year. My field-kept ponies are tired just through coping with the weather, and when they are brought in would rather snooze than be exercised :rolleyes:
 
Tarragon said:
Is he stabled or field kept? A mostly stabled horse should have energy to spare when exercised at this time of year. My field-kept ponies are tired just through coping with the weather, and when they are brought in would rather snooze than be exercised :rolleyes:
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He’s out from around 8.30-4ish
 
Thought I’d give an update on this, for myself, anyone interested and potential future readers with the same problem.

I hadn’t schooled since this day, mostly weather but also focusing on hacking and groundwork, and had a lesson last night and he was amazing. So much more forward and happy to work - he gets tired quite easily and drops off but that’s down to his fitness I’m assuming. Whilst still going round camel-like 90% of the time, the trot we got was so much better and our canter transitions were spot on nearly every time.

I’ve started adding salt as recommended so whether its that or the change in weather or just different day, different mood! I can relax now that I know I’ve not got another broken pony!
 
J_sarahd said:
Thought I’d give an update on this, for myself, anyone interested and potential future readers with the same problem.

I hadn’t schooled since this day, mostly weather but also focusing on hacking and groundwork, and had a lesson last night and he was amazing. So much more forward and happy to work - he gets tired quite easily and drops off but that’s down to his fitness I’m assuming. Whilst still going round camel-like 90% of the time, the trot we got was so much better and our canter transitions were spot on nearly every time.

I’ve started adding salt as recommended so whether its that or the change in weather or just different day, different mood! I can relax now that I know I’ve not got another broken pony!
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So pleased for you :)

Actually you reminded me that my Connie would be stuffy if he felt he did too much in the school. I probably schooled 2 x per week when possible and this was when he was mature and muscled. I did actively school on hacks too, but generally they are intelligent and pick things up quickly. I just needed to be mindful to keep him supple so would leg yield, shoulder in, counter bend whilst hacking, also changes of pace with in the gait.
 
J_sarahd said:
Thought I’d give an update on this, for myself, anyone interested and potential future readers with the same problem.

I hadn’t schooled since this day, mostly weather but also focusing on hacking and groundwork, and had a lesson last night and he was amazing. So much more forward and happy to work - he gets tired quite easily and drops off but that’s down to his fitness I’m assuming. Whilst still going round camel-like 90% of the time, the trot we got was so much better and our canter transitions were spot on nearly every time.

I’ve started adding salt as recommended so whether its that or the change in weather or just different day, different mood! I can relax now that I know I’ve not got another broken pony!
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When they are young and green they can get mentally and/or physically tired so quickly, especially if having a growth spurt. A short break normally helps and is always the first thing to try! Glad he has his mojo back.
 
mini-eventer said:
So pleased for you :)

Actually you reminded me that my Connie would be stuffy if he felt he did too much in the school. I probably schooled 2 x per week when possible and this was when he was mature and muscled. I did actively school on hacks too, but generally they are intelligent and pick things up quickly. I just needed to be mindful to keep him supple so would leg yield, shoulder in, counter bend whilst hacking, also changes of pace with in the gait.
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Thank you

Yeah my plan is 1 groundwork/long-lining session, 1 schooling session and 2 hacks a week, with a focus on me being disciplined (with him and myself) even on our hacks and not letting him just mooch only at a snail’s pace. He’s got such a good brain though and learns so quickly - proper gelding brain!
 
As @ihatework said, I think they get tired mentally as well as physically when they’re young. It must be quite overwhelming for them learning so many new things at once. Someone once told me little and often with babies & to keep sessions fairly short eg 20 mins. I’m sure there are plenty of experienced people on here who can advise further. Good luck with your pony.
 
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