Horse dislikes work :(

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bhpride

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I had tia's back and saddle checked last night, everything was fine - saddle fits etc. Whenever I walk in with her tack she'll turn to the back of her stable with her bum in my face and will stay there presumely sulking until she's tacked up whether I'm in the stable or not..then she'll try and gob as much hay as she can before the dreaded exercise.

When I bought her she was an obese lady of leisure and had been this way for a few years, hacked in the summer now and then until I came along
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and worked her regularly in all weathers and quite hard work as will once she was fit enough, am feeling guilty now. AND she's on a diet at the moment as she'll otherwise get far to fat although not in much work right now. If her saddle didn't fit at least I'd know there's a more solvable reason so to speak.

What can you do with a horse that dosn't enjoy doing any work? It's like trying to persuade Pavarotti(r.i.p) to go down the gym and leave the food alone.

She DOES however love jumping though so think I'll book a couple of lessons for that
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dosn't like lunging, tries to turn in when she starts feeling tired lol What would you do?
 
Does she not like going for hacks? Mine gets really bored going on the same old hacks so I occasionally take him out in the trailer to different places and he really perks up. You could school her and incorporate a few jumps which might keep her happy. You are also probably expecting her to be grumpy and bored so this will reflect on her. Try and be more upbeat, tell yourself your'e going to have a fab time with her, sing songs to her and try and get her excited. I know that last one sounds a bit mad but all of these have worked for me. I have an oldster who I keep on riding to keep him ticking over but sometimes he gets bored doing the same old things and this makes me feel the same.
Try and do as many different things as possible and hopefully you'll get her out of her rut.
Good luck, hope things work out.
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Good point, I think thats the main problem. I vary the hacks well in terms of routes etc but there's no manege and only a small very uneven field with jumps so not the best set up - not suitable for schooling but I could certainly give that a go and do a bit of jumping. Also I don't have a box and she dosn't load well at all. I do sing along as we ride (haven't been caught yet but waiting for that day) and praise her an awful lot/am positive etc as she is a good girl and incorporate schooling as I hack. Also make sure she has a good blast..but besides hacking there isn't enough variation thinking about it now.

You mention you get bored doing the same thing, I do as will I must admit. I love schooling/flatwork but can't with no manege and I DO get bored of only hacking out so I suppose she def picks up on this. I can't have flatwork lessons with a freelance instructor for example. I really should move yards, bit daunting to do that though but I'm not a happy hacker.

God reading this back, the problems obvious isn't it.
 
Well I seem to be in a very similar situation as you. I only have a field with a few jumps and it's difficult to school in because it's either too muddy or too hard. I try and school while out on hacks as well. Luckily we are having an arena put in at the moment so I can't wait for that to be completed - probably ages as local farmers are putting it in!
If you aren't happy with your facilities it may be time to look out for a new yard, it could be just what you need to give you and your horse a new lease of life.
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I don't like going to work either lol.

Mine was pulling faces when she saw me coming with the tack so i now give her a mint once we've finished tacking up so she looks forward to it. Also if she turns round to pull evil faces at me when im putting on the saddle then i give her a friendly rub on the nose, which she doesn't like, so she doesn't bother giving me the evil eye now.

I agree that you should try to keep things varied but i suppose riding is work to a horse the same as we have to go out to work and can't be bothered, i console myself with the thought that they cost us a fortune and therefore the least they can do is give us a ride ha ha. My mare does like hacking especially in new places as she loves to have a good nosy.
 
thank you
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I work 9 different shifts so miss out on the hacks with company, great point though but will def organise that, ive got 5 days off this week to move house (will get that done quickly) so perfect really.
 
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