He needs a lightning bolt up his bum!

I

IcarusGirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 June 2006
Messages
162
Visit site
Any idea what i can do to get Icarus to move! Or show any enthusiasm at all?!

He's just as lazy out hacking as in the school. If i get poles out then he'll perk up for about 5 minutes then get bored again.

I'm wondering whether he's lacking something in his diet. For those that dont know, he's a 7 year old 15.1hh welsh D. For his age and type, a lap of trot in the school should not be hard work, but he makes it so! He's out 24/7 too.

I feed (twice a day):

1 large scoop of Happy Hoof
a handful of pony nuts
a sprinkling of garlic
a slosh of oil (my measuring is great isnt it?!
grin.gif
)

and he gets a special size scoop of Formula4Feet in his evening feed.

Do you think he is getting what he needs? he's quite a chunky chap, so i dont really want to feed anything that might increase any chance of Laminitis.

The other wierd thing is that he is so fidgety when he's tied up i'd have thought he'd be a lively horse, and he was when i first got him. So, is he taking the mickey out of me? Or is he lacking something in his diet which means he has no stamina?

Thanks in advance.
 
Section Ds are very clever neds! Some are sharp and edgy, some are sweet and ploddy but both sorts are INTELLIGENT. They just focus their intelligence in different ways lol! I'd have said take him hunting but he might hate it or stay as sweet and slow as before. Cramming him full of barley and oats probably won't do anything except give him laminitis. What works with my veteran Sections D is engaging his brain! Find out what he really likes and get him working things out himself. Sadly, he may just work out the quickest way to end his lesson lol! Many people would give their eye teeth for a ned like that, but many want a bit more fire under the saddle!
 
Thanks. I'm pretty sure his intelligence is his greatest downfall! He had been hunting as a 3yr old when i got him, and he was pretty keen on his work after that.

Maybe hunting would be the way to go, or team chasing or something. I've never done either but i think he'd love it.

He likes jumping, so i do a bit, but if there's no poles out, he just wont try.
 
I have a similar problem with my cob, and tackled it 2 ways. First I have been giving him propell just to ensure that he is getting all his vits/mins etc (propell is also meant to help with stamina).
Secondly, I have started to hunt him and he absolutely adores it. The same cob that I struggle to canter one lap of the arena is now wanting to flat out gallop at the front of the field! This in turn is increasing his fitness so I am finding it easier to get more out of him in other activities.
Good luck!
 
Take him hunting, that should spark him up a bit. If he is doing plenty of work, give him a scoop of oats in his feed too, and don't forget electrolytes when he has done hard work, or sweated up.
 
Do you get him in to have a rest from eating before riding? A bellyfull of grass can slow them down. I usually give mine 30 mins or more before riding.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you get him in to have a rest from eating before riding? A bellyfull of grass can slow them down. I usually give mine 30 mins or more before riding.

[/ QUOTE ]

I normally have him tied up for about 15mins while i groom/tack up. It could be that except he's just as lazy when he's been in all night off the field.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Take him hunting, that should spark him up a bit. If he is doing plenty of work, give him a scoop of oats in his feed too, and don't forget electrolytes when he has done hard work, or sweated up.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do want to take him hunting, I've never been before though, so i find it a bit scary! If he's fit enough i might take him, the cantering and galloping around will improve his fitness too.

I've just upped his feed so that he's getting a lareg scoop of pony nuts instead of handful. If it seems to make a bit of difference, i might switch to a higher energy feed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top