He's got no go!

[nedzy]

Hi,

I have a five year old that has no go. I have seen him galloping about in the field, not a lot, but he can move! Problem happens when ridden, hacked (even with other horses), lunging and loose schooling. Takes no notice of my legs or whips! Has had thorough vet exam - no problems - just has no motivation to move!

Any advice?

 

[beaconhorse]

what breed is he? What is his routine and feed?

When you say he has no 'go' please tell me more i.e is he happy to plod around in walk and trot but doesn't want to canter, is he always exactly the same?
As much info as possible please

Am off out now but will check in later

 

[nedzy]

He has not long been backed, and is quite green but can go when I have enough energy, just wants to stop all the time. I know he will be unfit, but its hard to get him fit when he is so unwilling. He will trot, but slowly, and has to be reminded to keep going all the time. Have had 4 strides of canter, then came to a complete halt. Nice transition but I nearly flew off! He is 17h IDx, fed on haylage, high fibre cubes, sugar beet, chaff, conditioning feed. Am not too keen to feed him more energy as he's a good doer weight wise. Loose schooling, all he wants to do is come to me, will quite happily follow me round the school but doesn't want to go round on his own. Unless I'm behind him with a whip all the time he just stops and I find myself getting fitter than him!
I know this sounds silly, but any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Louiseskinner]

Are u giving him any feed?? some times a bit of pro pell plus by the ameria company perks them up. is he anemic??? we had a youngster who was anemic and we gave him some pro pell and it perked him up. or does he need a holiday?? dunno just a suggestion.

 

[beaconhorse]

What is he like with his hind feet being picked up?

Especially as he is ID I just wonder if he is showing signs of EPSM I am not saying he has it AT ALL just something to be aware of.
AS you say he may well just be green and unfit but would have thought he would have happily followed another horse

The thing that struck me most was his sudden halt after a couple of strides of canter. My own horse used to do this, as soon as I took my leg off he would stop dead and stand with his head low as tho he was knackered.
I was constantly having to nag with leg and whip, when normally with a young horse they are more eager to go than stop, especially when in company.

Draft horses are more prone to EPSM than other horses and personally I would always be on the look out for it. It is easily treated by adding oil to the diet. My own horse has 1/2 ltre of veg and corn oil everyday and has not looked back since I started this.

If he is just green I would try getting him excited a little, use your voice to spur him on and try putting some poles in the school to work him around, it just may pep him up. Also try having another horse in the school with him to follow, it may just help especially if he is just nervous. IF he is very nervous hacking even another horse may not be enough to give him confidence, but it may be enough in the school

If you want to try to pep him up with feed Tiger Oats are fabulous, they are NON heating so you will get the 'go' but without the fizz, also they are low in starch so safe feed horses that are prone to EPSM or tying up

If you think it is possible look at www.ruralheritage.com

Also make sure when he does go forward you REALLY praise him even if it is only a few steps

Not sure if any of this is any use but hope it might be

 

[ljubb]

How mature does he look? Often the big horses need more time to finish growing 5 years just aint enough!! If he is having a growing spurt or trying to fill out alot of his energy will be getting put into this therefore little is left to play with.

Maybe giving him a break will give him time to think about his training and finish off physically.

When we were breaking in the big eventers and the pointers if they needed time they got it.

Good luck