I went to try young (3yo) horse and loved him but he was lazy - advice?

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lauraheads

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I went to see a horse cleveland bay X ISH

Just turning 3 and has been lightly backed.

I fell in love with him, he is a lovely person and fab colour.

I rode him on a hack and was unflappable.

But in the school he was so lazy (pony club kicking lazy), the lady said that she had to have her novice cousin ride him. She also had in in draw reins :S

Know I know young horses can not go off your leg, I backed my last horse and went through this stage. I am planning to turn him out for a few more months then re-start him.

But is a lazy horse always lazy or could it just be a lack of correct schooling?
 
Draw reins on a 3yo that isn't off the leg. Genius :rolleyes:

I'm sure that with a break and a proper re-introduction to what legs actually mean he will get there. He is young and weak and school work will be incredibly difficult for him as I imagine he's quite a large chap.
 
In fairness I assume the horse is actually in it's four year old year? So not surprising it's in work (assuming that is the case) but still a big no to the draw reins!
 
Yes I was hoping to turn in him out for a few months and then start light hacking.

Do we think that with time to mature, re-starting he will be more forward?

I would not have personally backed a horse at that age, but the lady said she started groundwork and he was so good she just got on.

I questionned why she had draw reins on and she said to "get his head down" I nearly said he needs to go forward before getting his head down!

I did not ride him with them on!
 
So he's only two and is in the school with draw reins on!? What a shame! My boy wasn't even sat on until he was 5. Poor horse.
 
lauraheads said:
Yep horse is turning 3 next month!
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:eek:

Buy him and turn him away for a couple of years to grow up mentally/finish growing physically.

Bless him. He's not lazy . . . he's an immature baby who shouldn't be backed yet, never mind ridden (in draw reins!).

P

P.S. Oh, and if he's a CB x ISH he'll likely be a big lad . . . the big 'uns don't stop growing fully until they're 6 or 7 . . . if you buy him, please don't rush him.
 
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Bless him, so young and they're doing all that with him. He def needs a break, some time to mature especially given his breeding.

For the record, we got my sister's horse when he was 4 and he was so laid back he was horizontal. He'd only ever hacked out behind another horse so had only seen a horse's backside and not the 'world' in front! However, I would much prefer a laid back/slightly lazy youngster than a wired one. I think it's much easier to get a horse to be forward going than the other way round. My sister's horse certainly isn't unresponsive or lazy now. He's still pretty laid back but he's evented and showjumps and basically jumps whatever's in front of him. I would go for the 'lazy' youngster everytime personally!
 
Buy him to rescue him! Poor bloody baby horse:(

If he's cleveland X ISH then he certainly won't be ready to do anything with this year (actually, no horse would be at that age, other than just being sat on briefly).
 
Buy him, turn him away for ATLEAST a year, get him back in and bring him back into mainly hacking while he builds his strength. Then when hes stronger you can work on the schooling and I bet he will be more forward :)
 
It is just schooling, they just need to understand go & whoa. Even a lazy horse can be quite sensitive, and can learn go. My ISH can feel very lazy esp. when not in regular work. The fitter he gets, the more work you do the lighter and more responsive he is. But hates arenas and schoolwork, likes big open spaces to get the forward esp. initially.
 
Personally I think you should ask your instructor to come and see him, my instructor is a BHSII and has twenty years of competing and selling youngsters, she would be able to identify potential, and see difficulties in the horse.
My own feeling is that a horse of this breeding will not be physically mature before it is seven or eight, so you have a long program ahead, points to look for at the moment are related to future potential.
If you want a sharp horse ready to compete in six months, look elsewhere.
Conformation..... no weakness allowed.
Nature .... should be happy and relaxed.
Action,:
A good free walk is a good start, if short and choppy, look elsewhere.
I ask for horse to be walked away and toward me several times, and then walked past me, twice, the horse should track straight, and stride out naturally.
Even a big slow horse should show nice springy leg action at the trot, you can improve this, but at his age, you are looking for his in-built ability.
He will change shape over the years, but currently needs to have natural balance when loose schooled.
When he is turned out we want to see him trot away nicely, or canter and so on.
He will not be perfect, but reject speedy cutting, over-reaching, weakness behind or strange shape [withers, ribs or anywhere].
A good horse has a nice head and a kind eye, bold but not manic!
After another trial ride, if instructor and you both like him [we know you are already desperate to get him home], make sure he is ready for the vet [shoes Ok?] discuss price, make it clear there will be a five stage vetting, this can save you money if there has been a previous failure. Once they have agreed to keep horse for you, you can get it vetted.
If it is a professional yard, then be prepared to pay for livery/transportation at cost.
 
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amymay said:
The horse is rising 3 - so won't be competing for another year or so....




No horse is perfect.
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You are correct, but if it is an obvious defect, it will not get better, if you can't find a weakness immediately then you are halfway to finding a good horse.
I did say it would not be perfect, but there are some weaknesses which will prevent it developing in to a good eventer type, and some which may lead to unsoundness.
 
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