How to get a 4 year old more forward

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babeandbessy

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My new forest x 4 year old is the laziest horse I've ever had, all the rest of mine are very forward going and sensitive so bit stuck what to do! Sometimes he can be going lovely then just stops dead and refuses to move.. Help!?! :confused:
 
get him out hacking with others, going forwards having fun, fast fun hacks so he gets to enjoy the feeling of moving forward, i dont mean crazy galloping about all the time time but no contact no restrictions, go have fun
 
Honey08 said:
Could he just be finding schooling boring/hard? I tend to do most of my work with youngsters on hacks and a little in the school..
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go for a short hack to warm up so you can school in an arena for 5-10 mins in faster paces, make the school more exciting as he becomes more forward introduce more mind stretching work a little at a time-start basic jumping and use them when he goes 'flat' switches off
 
These natives are canny devils, slip most of your schooling in while out hacking, shoulder in down the road, leg yields from one side to the other with some straight walking in between, travare etc. Cross the road junctions straight and do turns on the forehand to change direction, You'll be surprised how much you can do without him realising!
 
Ive just been through this... hopefully coming out the other end now.

The key is not to nag with your legs. Ask him once, and DO NOT use your legs again until they slow down, re-ask and if you get no alter in speed variance, back up with your schooling whip, gradually getting firmer (obviously not braying them!) until you get a change in speed.

Mine now responds to my leg and maintains speed untill told otherwise. He got lazy to my leg.... not lazy in himself, that was my fault over using it!
 
FayeFriesian said:
Ive just been through this... hopefully coming out the other end now.

The key is not to nag with your legs. Ask him once, and DO NOT use your legs again until they slow down, re-ask and if you get no alter in speed variance, back up with your schooling whip, gradually getting firmer (obviously not braying them!) until you get a change in speed.

Mine now responds to my leg and maintains speed untill told otherwise. He got lazy to my leg.... not lazy in himself, that was my fault over using it!
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This^^^Use your whip to back up your leg (a sharp tap; NOT a whack). It's nothing to do with "fun", it's about the horse being obedient to and understanding your aids.
 
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