Feeding regime for laid back horse

[Niv2]

I am looking at a horse to buy who has nice moves but is very laid back to the point of being half asleep....takes a lot of leg to get him moving...once he is going, he feels good to ride. His canter is just lovely...really collected.
At the moment, he is being fed just grass (turned out 24 hours) and no hard feed. He appears fit and well and passed a 5 stage vetting in May 2009.
I enjoyed riding him but will get very fed up with having to keep urging/kicking him forward the whole time....even his walk lacked energy....
Before I discard him out of hand, would a change in his feeding regime give him a bit more "oomph" or is he a lost cause?

 

[Maisy]

I feed my lazy mare endurance mix to get the energy to get her moving, but tbh, you will probably find that once the horse is fit he will go much easier! My mare is a real donkey in the summer, but come the winter, when she is fit, and clipped out, and the wind gets up her a bit, she is much more fun, but I never have to worry that she will be really out of hand!

 

[Kallibear]

Generally you find that if they've got the laid back, lazy temperament feeding them more just makes them fat and more lazy. I know plenty of horses whom you could stuff full of oats and they're still slow and lazy.

Agreed that getting them fit makes the biggest difference. Not only do they have more stamia and energy, but it changes the way they metabolise energy. They you can start feeding more.

 

[Niv2]

I dont want to buy the horse on the chance that he might be ok on hard feed....should I get the current owner to feed him correctly and then see what he is like?

 

[Kathryn_Scout]

If it's a lazy or laid back horse then you can't change that and no amount of feeding will make a difference! Though they can change when fitter etc... My horse is a donkey if out 24/7 - not only that but he hates it! Maybe stabled at night and a good fitness regime would be the answer. Make sure he's on a balanced diet with everything he needs and see how you get on?

Although, tbh... If you're not convinced now, then you never will be I'm afraid to say - And there are plenty more horses out there!

 

[Witchy]

Would they allow you to do a 4-week trial. Tell them your thoughts and what you would like to try with his diet to see if it changes him etc?

Worth a try?

My horse is a lazy arse but that's just how I want him as he's my first horse

 

[Niv2]

Thanks for replies....have now seen another horse....I really like him and he seems to move and ride well. He is not "fizzy" and seems to have a nice charecter.

This horse is on competition mix...he is in light-medium work and appears to be reasonably fit. The current owner says that she has tried, over the years, different combinations of feed and competition mix seems to provide the right amount of energy for him to make him enjoyable to ride.

Should I be concerend that she feels he has to be on competition mix for "normal" duties?