Getting a relaxed horse in front of the leg?

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Hippolyte

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Hey all,

My horse (15.2hh 11yo Connemara gelding) is the loveliest horse you can imagine. He's kind and polite on the ground and sensible to ride. When I got him about a year ago, that was exactly what I needed; a confidence boost.

However, now I want to get back into competing again (and actually start placing), I'm finding him just a little bit too relaxed and laid back when we're schooling. I'd really love to move up the levels in both SJ and Dressage (currently Prelim and 80/90) but I'm finding it really hard to do so given I have to work hard just to get him in front of my leg.

Does anyone have any advice on how to really sharpen him up and get him off my leg? I really love him a lot as a horse but am finding it frustrating that every time I get on him, I end up getting off having worked harder than he has!

Thank you so much for any advice you have!!!
 
Transitions, and a stick to reinforce an instant response to your leg and seat aids. I LOVE lazy horses, but seem to have very responsive ones....
 
Hehe, going through this with one of mine right now :rolleyes3:

The other has come out the other side nicely sharpened up so I know there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Part of the fix has to be for you to change your mindset and habits. It's really easy to get into the habit of kicking a lazy or laid back horse along, and you have to notice when you are doing it and stop yourself :) only give a leg aid when you *want* to, and make sure you get a response every time.

So, with the horse... this is what I'm doing... transitions and lots of them, this gives him the maximum opportunities to learn how to go for himself. Start out in halt, ask him to walk on. If he doesn't go swiftly from your leg aid, then you need to tap him with the stick quickly - you almost need to startle him if he's daydreaming a bit. Don't be cross with him, it's just an immediate "wake up" request, and then sit quiet and let him walk a short distance and then repeat, and repeat and repeat until he goes immediately and willingly from your leg. He might anticipate the leg a little, that's not a problem.

Then do the same with walk/trot, and later trot/canter. Each time being really critical about whether he honestly went from your single leg aid.

When you spend more time in each pace, make sure you aren't pushing him along. sit quietly and if he slows down, then give a light leg aid backed up by the whip if necessary. Don't try to protect him from making the mistake of slowing down by using more leg if he's lazy, he will let you carry him if you do, but if you correct his mistake instead then he will learn to go for himself.

You have to be ultra, ultra consistent. But it's surprising how quickly they can learn to be quick off your leg if you make sure you never let a lazy response slide :)
 
Try lots of transitions in quick succession. For example, 5 strides of trot then walk 5 strides then another upward transition. For some reason whenever I sit on a horse they immediately relax. That's useful with the hyper types but with the lazy ones it's hard work.

I tend to carry a stick but the quick transitions are very good. Also do things that surprise him, when they don't know what to expect they keep alert. Make sure you're not using your legs without realising it.
 
I feel your pain, and echo what everyone else has said. Transitions and being quick to back up your leg aid when he doesn't respond and then pressure off.

I nag. It's a really bad habit I got into when I first got my boy as if I took my leg off he'd stop. I have been really trying hard not to do it over the past few months and it has helped lots and he is tons more responsive than he was, but he's still not in front of the leg. I really have to concentrate on not nagging though, especially in trot. He has a very bouncy trot (big WB) and it just seems to go into a rhythm of kick kick and I have to tell myself NO. I know that I can not do it, as when I ride another horse I'm fine with my legs, it's just him!
I'm getting better, and so is he :)
 
Similar issues here! Agree with above posters. Especially about being very clear when you're asking and that you want a quicker reaction. I need to relax my leg, to the point of taking them away from his sides, to make sure I'm not tense, pushing or nagging. Quick aid, repeat more firmly if no answer (and release), tap if he doesn't respond properly. Got to be very disciplined and aware of what you and he are doing. If mine is really being lazy, he does get a bigger wake up tap to the point of getting a proper reaction, and that tends to be all he needs. Hardly ever do it now as he's much much better these days.

This plus transitions, change of bend and pace, keep him moving and thinking, pole work.

Also I put mine on oats to help give him a bit more stamina. Didn't make him buzzy, just able to sustain the work a bit longer with more energy.
 
Alongside this work think about your horse's fitness. I've found a naturally lazy horse is best kept as fit as possible to help him be more forward.
 
milliepops said:
Hehe, going through this with one of mine right now :rolleyes3:

The other has come out the other side nicely sharpened up so I know there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Part of the fix has to be for you to change your mindset and habits. It's really easy to get into the habit of kicking a lazy or laid back horse along, and you have to notice when you are doing it and stop yourself :) only give a leg aid when you *want* to, and make sure you get a response every time.

So, with the horse... this is what I'm doing... transitions and lots of them, this gives him the maximum opportunities to learn how to go for himself. Start out in halt, ask him to walk on. If he doesn't go swiftly from your leg aid, then you need to tap him with the stick quickly - you almost need to startle him if he's daydreaming a bit. Don't be cross with him, it's just an immediate "wake up" request, and then sit quiet and let him walk a short distance and then repeat, and repeat and repeat until he goes immediately and willingly from your leg. He might anticipate the leg a little, that's not a problem.

Then do the same with walk/trot, and later trot/canter. Each time being really critical about whether he honestly went from your single leg aid.

When you spend more time in each pace, make sure you aren't pushing him along. sit quietly and if he slows down, then give a light leg aid backed up by the whip if necessary. Don't try to protect him from making the mistake of slowing down by using more leg if he's lazy, he will let you carry him if you do, but if you correct his mistake instead then he will learn to go for himself.

You have to be ultra, ultra consistent. But it's surprising how quickly they can learn to be quick off your leg if you make sure you never let a lazy response slide :)
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Excellent advice!
 
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