I think I have made my mind up but help!

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Puddle

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Hi all, I'm in a bit of a fix. I purchased my horse in April he is a 6yr old ISH. When I tried him although rather green was reasonably forward and popped a couple of jumps really well. Since having him he has put on muscle and topline so much so that he is on his second saddle since me having him but by no means is he over weight. He passed a 5 stage vetting when i got him and has had tack and teeth checked and my saddler was really impressed with his back muscle development.

Since I have had him he has got more and more laid back, now to the extent that he is a real kick along ride. (Which isn't ideal for me because I have arthritis and although can use my legs just fine kicking for every step isn't much fun!) I have taken advice from feed lines about his diet but the high energy feeds just make him silly and I don't want to let him start to develop bad habits.

I need to decide to

A - stick with him a bit longer
B - Send him off for a couple of weeks to be schooled to see if he can become more off the leg
C - Sell him and find somthing more suitable.

Sorry this is so long but he is a lovely chap and does nothing wrong other than he is so lazy!! I feel guilty moaning about him because he is perfectly behaved.

Any advice appreciated, Thanks
 
Hi Puddle Im sorry to hear about your arthritis He sounds like a lovely horse and if I were you I think, before you part with him, I would get someone who is able to ride him with a stronger leg with a schooling whip to back it up to do lots of transitions to get him more forward. A few sessions of this and Im sure you would find a difference in him. It seems a shame to let him go when he is perfect in every other way:)
 
I cant understand why a healthy young horse in good physical condition cant find the energy to put one foot in front of the other without a lot of urging,does he seem heslthy in every other way, i mean could he have a virus or be anaemic?
 
Sorry to hear about your arthritis Puddle, I have it in my knees and know what you mean about kicking plod along horses! Perhaps have him schooled? Or perhaps he may need stronger aids such as spurs - would be best to consult your instructor first though. My horse is very similar and seems to move better with false aids.
 
yes he seems fine. I see him playing in the field and still comes cantering to the gate when he is called. Its just as if he has thought I like it here and settled a little too much!

I do ride him more than his last owner but he isn't in hard work just 5 days a week of varying work so he doesn't get bored. He is on a balancer because I thought he could be lacking in something but he is still the same. He looks really well and has a fan club at the yard because he is such a nice fella which makes the decision even harder.

I can get him going and he will work in a nice soft outline but I end up sweating 10 times more than he does!
 
Thanks Sanolly, I do carry a schooling whip and have tried this idea, also lots of transitions. It is so frustrating isn't it, love him to bits! Thanks for your reply, I really do appreciate the ideas even if I have already tried them as there might just be one that clicks into place. thanks again
 
my raff is the sort to make you sweat if you want him to work... someone recommended that i carry two schooling whips. and to give him a flick if he ignores the first leg aid.

also, lots of transitions (which you are doing) walk to canter, canter to walk, halt to trot, etc etc. lots of pole work, to get him picking his legs up. um.. i'm out of ideas now... :o
 
sounds like you have a lovely horse and it would be a shame to sell him if you can sort this out....how about not doing any school work and just hacking/taking him to different places like the beach etc. give him lots of fun things to do. maybe cross country schooling if your arthritis will allow... many years ago a friend had a horse that can only be described as stuffy, didnt really want to go. we tried upping the feed,made no difference but then we only literally gave him a handful of chaff and he was much better...might be worth a try with your boy...... good luck:D:D
 
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