I need some go in my lazy cob!

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RBAD94xx

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice!

I'm a new horse owner and have just started novice showing. I have a 14.3 Gypsy Cob.
I have broken him in myself but he is very lazy. I am constantly on at him with every stride when schooling him at home and when i get him to a show he is even worse and i struggle to even get him into a trot!

I feel like it is trial and error at the moment with him and I am trying to find out what makes him tick!!
The lady i brought him off just fed him Happy Hoof so thats what i have kept him on however I am considering either changing this or adding something to it to see if this helps. I'm currently adding about half a scoop of mix to his happy hoof but so far it doesnt seem to have made much of a difference!

Any help would be really appreciated :D !!!
 
It doesn't sound like this is a feed issue tbh. I feed my cob oats but only when he is fit and in 1-3 hours work per day or hunting. It doesn't sound like yours is that busy and that food at this stage will likely just add weight.
do you have lessons with him? constantly being on at him every stride when schooling is not going to help. He either doesn't understand what you mean or cannot yet physically manage it - you don't say how old.
Does he lunge?
Is he uncomfortable somewhere.

Essentially lots of things I would look at doing before feed.
 
I am unsure what it is. He is the first horse i've had an i'm the first to admit i have alot to learn!
I have lessons with him. They were once a week but now they're once a fortnight but i do school and hack him inbetween and he shows twice sometimes three times a month.
He lunges yes and he is 7 years old!
 
I agree with the above - i don't think this is feed related - i think you need to find his go button!

More lessons - trip to the gallops with another horse he can follow... there plenty you can do :)
If he lunges fine but lacks go when you are on board - then maybe have a look at your tack....
 
What is his condition score? My current horse was a slug, now after a full blown attack of laminitis he is fine, offering to up the pace without being asked. Turns out his feet were never comfortable, lots and lots of summers spent with subclinical laminitis ("just a bit footy now and again"). Lost the weight, got a diagnosis of Cushings in the last year but basically he was carrying too much weight.
Investigate, research, look at how well (or badly) he understands what you are asking of him - do you for instance without realising it apply more tension to the reins whenever you apply your leg? What is he like on the lunge? Out hacking? On different surfaces?
 
So is he better in your lessons?
Is he better if anyone else rides him?
does he go off your voice lungeing? and if so will he do the same ridden?
 
I had exactly the same problem with my ID x TB who was a real plodder at times. I tried giving him oats, riding in spurs, using a longer schooling whip, had lessons, got his saddle/back/teeth checked and nothing made any difference - in the end I think it was just his personality. He couldn't be bothered with schooling, going round in endless circles wasn't interesting to him, and he'd often throw in a buck or try to nap. He'd show jump around a course, but never with much enthusiasm. One day I took him to a fun ride and he was like a different horse, it was the nicest ride on a horse I can honestly say I have ever had in my life, having owned six horses I think that says a lot! He loved the XC fences, he jumped them all from a nice forward going canter, and then straight back into his stride like he'd been doing it years. His Dad was a three times champion racer and his Mum a hunter and I think it was in his genes.

I think you need to find what he likes to do and see if it makes any difference to his oomph!
 
I agree with Applecart, try and just have fun with him, I'd stop the lunging and the schooling and just hack, take him to new places, let him go if he wants, maybe try a beach somewhere if possible and let him enjoy life.
 
Fitness fitness fitness. Get the fat off him and get him fit. Lots of hacking and make him work don't let him slop along. Take the spurs off. Ride with two long whips if necessary. Make all your sessions short and sharp and up it as he gets fit. Personally I wouldn't gallop him you could do some harm to an unfit horse. But certainly take him to do some fun things. Don't be tempted to pour feed into him. Make sure he has a good balanced diet low sugar and starch.
 
Agree with the comment above! I had this issue with my horse and found that fitness was the issue. Once he gets fitter he really will be a different horse.
 
Stop kicking every stride as he will quickly learn to ignore you - think nudge-kick-flick - nudge him, if he doesn't respond then 'boot' him, if he still doesn't answer then a smart flick of the whip - he will soon learn to go off the nudge. Was he a riding school pony before you bought him?
 
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