how to get a horse to move off your leg

jenbleep

jenbleep

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the horse i ride can be a bit backward thinking, and i need some exercises to get him really moving forward. hes a bit whip shy as well, (or maybe hes just a v naughty hossie) so can someone please give me some exercises to really get him going without nagging him all the time? im going to ride him in an hour xxxxx
 
Lots, and lots, and lots of transitions - up down, up down. And put a little pair of spurs on and give him a dig!
 
I would personally do lots of transitions, changes of reins etc to get youri horse guessing what is coming next really. Can you do some polework? Lengthen down the longsides, flex the neck inside and outside
 
don't ask for outline yet - apparently (so my YO says) it's all about getting them stretching and moving forward first before you confuse them with an outline.

have to say that Ty is much more forward going already so she knows what she's doing!
 
A horse can only work correctly on the bit once it is fully engageing the hind quarters and back, then you can start to ask the horse for flexion etc to help
 
i replied in comp riders but here yoo are again!
transitions transitions transitions.
to get him a bit more attentive to your leg, leg yield and spiralling (making a 20m circle smaller to say 10m spiralling inwards but mantaining impulsion and bend and then making the circle it's original size once again)
xx
 
Transistions as everyone has said but also try counting the rhythm of your paces so you can catch him/feel him the second he starts to slow down and push him straight back on again. Don't worry about outlines etc until you have him going forwards in a consistent rhythm.
 
I used to ride a horse that could be very sluggish, and who wasn't particularly bothered about my whip.

i did try spurs at a show, which worked well, but my instructor told me not to use them for schooling as he would eventually become dead to them - would you guys agree with this???
 
why do i want to reply scream lots of sweary words & kick him with other leg till he gets off
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I ride in spurs for schooling and competitions. The mare can be a real pig off my leg, but listens with the spurs. So far I haven't found that she's 'deadened' to them, although I do take them off from time to time, if she's full of the beans or has lots of energy and adrenaline. Then I find she's super-responsive when they go back on again. I would suggest you play it by ear: if you feel you need the extra back-up, try them. Then take them off after a while and see how that goes. If you need them again, put them on.
 
In order of severity;
1. Use a sharper leg aid and praise if goes forward
2. Carry a whip and tilt it out when naughty so he can see it
3. Tap your whip on your boot (on your leg) with the whip when lazy
4. Touch him (not hit) behind your leg with whip when lazy
5. Smack him with whip when lazy
6. Use the flat spurs to reinforce the leg aid
7. Use increasingly long spurs (spurs will make him deader in the long run though) until you look like a rodeo cowboy
8. Feed him oats
9. Feed him naked oats and maize
10. Use an electric cattle prod
11. Use dynamite
12. Place people in the school corners, and arm them with maracas, whistles, cymbals, drums, fireworks
13. Get off and carry him round (it could be easier)
14. Retire him and buy an ex-racehorse.
Health and safety warning - not all of the above are serious suggestions
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S
 
My pony is highly lazy. Well no to be fair to him he was at a riding school for a bit and he has become dead to your leg. We started to ride with a small pair of spurs which he responded to immediately. We rode him quite a bit at first just doing lots of transistions, and just getting him thinking forwards, not worrying what he looked like (which was lucky as he looked like a donkey!). Then we gave him a break for 2 months, first time we got back on him again, he went really well, really responsive and could really tell he was working from behind and then automatically worked in a vague outline. The break certainly did him the world of good. He is a stubborn character and really needed someone to 'get behind him' if you know what i mean, really encourage him on, make it fun.
 
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