How do you make your horse more forward going?

[debsey1]

Iv'e been told when I ride in the school that my cob is not forward going enough, basically, I'm in front of the horse and his power is not coming from behind. How can I rectify this? He can be lazy and it takes at least 10 minutes in the school to get him to listen to me before he starts to act on the commands I give him.

I am a novice rider although we have done little jumps and we have hunted which he enjoys immensely but in the school he is sluggish.

Thanks for any answers given.

 

[Herpesas]

The best bit of advice I was given was don't expect a quick response from a lazy request! I was taught to make sure you are asking in a short aid rather than nagging or flapping and if he doesn't listen, a light tap with a schooling whip. On a lazy horse keep your leg off their sides unless you are giving an aid.

LOTS of transitions will help, not just upwards and downwards but within the pace (called on and back) where you ask for shortening and lengthening. Don't do the same things in the same place so that he doesn't know when an aid is coming.

Try and find out why he is less motivated in the school - is he finding it difficult or does he just get bored of doing the same thing? Is he unbalanced or confused? Try schooling in the field (if you can) and out hacking or take him for a little walk out before and after you take him in the school so that it's more interesting.

 

[McNally]

I used lots of transitions. Constant walk-trot- walk out hacking til the horse was anticipating trot and was just more active all the time. Walk to canter is good in the school but stick with walk trot first. It will get him listening and waiting for a cue.
Try really hard, and it is hard not to nag with your legs as this just makes them worse- carry a schooling whip and back up your leg instantly if needed. Its repitition i found but it definitly helped.

 

[Wagtail]

Although some horses are naturally forward going, most horses will fall behind the leg if they are allowed to. In almost all cases, it is due to the rider constantly nagging with the legs (often they are not even aware they are doing it). What I find works in every case, so long as it is practiced consistently is the following:

Ask you horse to move forward with a gentle squeeze. If they do not shoot forward immediately then either use a sharp kick, or a tickle with the whip. I prefer the former as I find it works better. Usually you will only need to do this twice! They soon realise that they must respond to a gentle squeeze immediately. Then, once they are nice and forward, resist the urge to nag, nag, nag with the leg or you will have to start all over again. If you are consistent with this, your horse will become nice and forward.

 

[wellsat]

Please don't be offended but what's your horses weight like? I've found some can be a bit lazy if they are carrying a little extra.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

You may think that I jest... but... get someone to weld up their tractor right outside your stable while you tack up... my mare who normally likes to pootle about was transformed into a full of beans, forward thinking, walking on hot coals type.

Yes, it really happened and they very kindly paused their welding while I mounted.