Help- Trying to get pickle to move off my leg

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JessPickle

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Pickle is really lethargic when schooling recently, his bloods have been checked as usual as it isn't due to anemia, physical checks have all been done. He just refuses any attempt to get him moving off my leg, he completely ignores a short stick, and has a very small reaction to a schooling stick. When hacking he is capable of being very speedy and can be very strong, also when jumping (in the school) he gets a sudden boost of energy and is the able to keep a nice canter going! I try to keep his schooling as interesting as possible, ensure I do lots of transitions, keep variety but he is becoming knackering to ride and not enjoyable for either of us!

I would appreciate any ideas on how to get him to move off my leg, have put a couple of videos below, one of him jumping (and therefore moving!) and one of him just cantering generally (a while ago and he is even lazier now!)

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/pickle_jess/?action=view&current=Movie2.flv

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/p...sneyland075.flv
 
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have you tried spurs?

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have tried normal spurs, he doesn't even register them. An old owner that I traced said in the past he got very over ridden in spurs/pelham for schooling and became dead to them (also probably the reason he has such an adverse reaction to spurs)

Seahorse when you come and see him you will see what I mean by lazy!
smirk.gif
 
Trying not to nag with your legs, use your schooling whip and if he doesn't listen, ask again for him to go forwards by using it some more, don't let him get away with not listening (This was teh advice I was given when my horse was refusing to go off my leg). Keep your schooling sessions interesting with lots of transistions, changes of direction and some lateral work to help keep his attention.
 
Mine can be like this, but luckily has responded to spurs really well. Before I tried them, I had a lesson and my instructor told me that I had to give one short sharp kick to go from say, walk to trot, and if he didn't respond immediately then I should give him a smack with my long whip. And I don't mean a tickle - I mean a proper smack. Sounds harsh, but its better to give them one big smack than nag constantly with no results. Just be warned - expect him to shoot off and/or buck! But trust me, the next time you even think about using your legs, he'll go willingly!
Maybe get some lessons too, if you can, as an instructor could give you some exercises to try.

x
 
do have lessons allready and instructor is trying there hardest with pickle and me, he got on the other day and was knackered after about 5 mins was amazed that someone my size could even ride him for a ful hour!

Willl try my best and insist with him, try not to be soft but know when I get tired I do have a slight tendency
 
Fair enough. He does sound like hard work! Unfortunately, some horses just hate schooling!
Probably just try to keep sessions short and sweet - decide what you're going to work on before you start. Then work on this for maybe only 20 mins and finish on a good note. If you just wander round with not much purpose he'll just get more bored. And don't always work round the track, do lots of circles in the middle and work on the 3/4 line etc.
 
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