Energy!!

[abbir1]

Hi Can anyone help me? I have a 17.2 8yr old hunter as soon as the weather gets hot and the grass starts coming he turns lazy!! He lives on fresh air so i keep him restricted. He is only fed a handfull of basic mix twice a day when he comes in. I need a feed which will not put the weight on but will give him life. I ride him 4 times a week for about an hour I do a bit of everything on him, I ride him in spurs and carry a whip, every other stride i need to use my leg or whip to keep him moving on. His back and saddle have been checked. can anyone help. Thanks

 

[tallyho!]

IS he fat? Fat horses are well lazy. I know, I have one.

Are you lazy too? 4 times a week for an hour??? C'mon girl!!!! Get yours and his arse into gear!!! It's summer!

 

[bathmat]

No such thing as a food to give energy but not fat as any calories not used for exercise/living, etc will turn to fat.

If you are using your leg/whip that much then he also will get fed up. Would you listen to someone telling you to do something every 2 seconds for an hour? You would soon switch off. You will need to re-school both of you to go off the leg more and you must stop nagging.

 

[LynH]

I found NAF EnerG really helpful with my horse who was incredibly lazy in the summer compared to the winter. I also used a low cal supplement to make up for smaller feeds. Losing weight also helped her and she definitely responded to the 'less is more' method with leg/spurs/stick.

 

[welshcobmad]

I'm having this exact problem, he seems bored/lazy/unenthusiastic unless jumps are out despite varying what we do everyday. He needs to lose a little weight & get fitter but its such hard work with him! I try my best not to nag, if he doesn't respond to kick he gets a smack, speeds up a few strides then slobs again, even worse hacking out in company - better on his own. Even if trotting, stop pushing him on he stops dead! I feel your frustration!