He needs to move it move it!

[mazziek]

So the majority of our comments from last night dressage was needs to be move active to the leg! problem is he is not very forward going! he is a 15h highland x 13 year old weight 480kg, he has lost about 40kilos, he is in a his starvy paddock with not much grass. he gets a feed with stuff for his suspected laminitus and hifi light chaff but what else could i give him for some more oomph? red bull?! any advice? cos my legs are so tired chasing him all the time! felt a little pony clubber last ngiht flapping away! thanks

 

[Kenzo]

I take it he's fit and healthy and getting the required vit/min for his work load?

Bang some diggers on and school in at home for a few weeks to shapen him up to leg, usually does the trick, pony club kicking is the worst thing you can do, as they will just get used to and ingore it, he needs to learn that leg on mean forward, not forward sometimes and or forward when I can be bothered.

So keep your legs off his sides unless your applying an aid, when he ingore your leg, back it up with a long schooling whip in each hand and leg on, if he ignores this (and I mean he needs to be sharp into your hands, not must mumble on forwards a bi more) then once more again with your leg along with a sharp tap behind in the leg area with your schooling whips (be careful not to interfere with your reins though), behind your leg so he jumps forward and thinks

ooow heck I'll best shift myself pronto! and praise him with a gently stroke and voice when he goes forward.

You'll only have to do a few sessions like this and is a good way if you don't wish to use a pair of diggers...sorry spurs.

Then you must make sure you are consistant with your leg and not over use them, you need to keep him sensetive to your leg, not dead to them.