Feeds to help a horse focus?

[WackyWelsh]

Another post, and a bit of a weird one, sorry!
I don’t need a calmer but more of something that helps a horse focus if that makes sense. He’s okay to lead and groom and ride but his mind always seems to be somewhere else..it’s not just a riding thing! His mind is usually on food..lol..but it just seems to be difficult to get him to focus on you, he’ll either be up looking at something in the distance and won’t listen to a simple ‘back up’, or very forward and focused on something else he can see or very lazy, almost looking back at his field!

 

[Leo Walker]

There isnt a feed in the world that will do this! I think in your shoes it would be vet time as even if it just puts your mind at rest it would be worth it.

 

[Theocat]

Do you keep him busy? Do you give instructions with intent, and require them to be followed?

When you ask him to back, do you get his attention first and give a clear signal? What do you do when he doesn't respond?

Lots of horses can be like this, and often they've just never been properly taught to pay attention and follow reasonable instructions.

 

[Shay]

That sounds like an evasion. Looking "though" you is the ground handling equivalent of napping. He is not paying attention because he doesn't want to, or doesn't want to do what you want him to. Feed will not help with that.

I am absolutely not suggesting you try to dominate him on the ground - you probably won't be able to anyway. But you do need to get some help to read his signals and re-direct his attention in a suitable way. A good groundwork instructor to work with both of you would be best.