How to get a lazy young cob 'off' the leg...

[joanne1920]

as the title explains really.. he is 4 this summer, but he sits on my legs and almost needs constant nagging, which i know isnt good, he goes 2 speeds, walk and slow trot, lunges perfectly to voice command in walk, trot and canter. he is liable to roll in sand school which has knocked my confidence, trying to build that up too, so have been riding in an grass field, popped a few little jumps which got him excited and we had a canter! now back to being lazy cob, voice and whip dont seem to work all the time, and feel mean keep nagging and smacking when he doesnt go forward.... any ideas???? and im not jabbing him in the mouth i have a very light contact unless he's trying to buck!

 

[arwenplusone]

Lots and lots and lots of transitions.

And maybe spurs?

 

[joanne1920]

can i use spurs on a young cob? will that make him dead to leg when he's older? x we have been working on transitions, have just started halt - trot , trot-halt , he did really well 1 stride of walk, so basically just keep doing them...

 

[Nosey]

Try not to do too much in the school - at that age there is not a huge amt of variety you can do in your school work and they switch off fairly quickly. Maybe do 10 mins before or after a hack. Hacking helps gets them going forward too - think of just getting a nice marchy walk going.
In the school when they are not too responsive off the leg I tend to halt them and ask them to go forward to walk from a nice gentle nudge. If they ignore you (which they prob will do 1st or 2nd time) give them a really big kick ie legs off their sides and pony club kick - which should make them surge forward. Don't pull back when they do this as they are going forward like you asked so accept whatever speed they surge forward at for a bit. Gradually decrease the pace and ask for halt again then the nice nudge of the leg forward and repeat above if they don't respond. I find this only takes one or two repitions for the penny to drop. You are training them to respond to the correct light leg signal..and even if you do have to apply the boot firmly a couple of times they quickly get the message and its better to do that than constantly nag them. remember not to interfere with the mouth at any stage whilst doing the above as you don't want to discourage any forwardness.

 

[checkmate1]

Hiya, my WbxTB has just turned 4 (been backed about 6 weeks now) and is quite lazy, my instructor has recommended loads of transitions, one squeeze to ask for trot (back up with schooling whip immediatly if ignored) and when trot established (4-5 strides in) then another squeeze, or tap tap tap untill she is listening and going forward, keep asking untill going forward (and going forward properly, ie not slowley), and when youve got what you wanted stop sqeeze and verbal 'good girl/boy etc', dont nag with leg, back up straight away with stick if being ignored. I've been taking my girl out cantering and galloping on lovley long hacks with company and I schooled her yesterday-all I can say it what a difference getting out and having some fun has made to her schooling! good luck

 

[joanne1920]

i know i should do alot more hacking, i just hate hacking! it petrifies me! i will endevour to be brave this week and go out on him without someone holding him or walking beside him... i know sounds like im a child but im actually 27 just short on confidence, very short!

 

[virtual]

You definately need to get hacking. I've got a lazy young cob (rising 5) and he was exhausting to ride for about 6 months, really no fun at all. A combination of lots of transitions, weight loss and energy food, plus lots of hacking, cross country and hunting have helped him no end. We're still working on not having to have a reminder every 5 strides or so, but I'm sure we'll both get there in the end!