Is it possible for a horse to be too laid back?

[Mups]

Hello

I would really appreciate some advice

My four year old mare (Hanovarian x tb/welsh) is wonderful and we have done a little bit of everything on a small scale this year.

However

She is proving to be so laid back that she is backwards?
Not that I am complaining at all because I am on my own and she is amazing to hack out and super safe. Taking her mini SJ and mini XC she didn't even look at anything but flops over them as no impulsion.

The problem is when trying to school or jump she is not forward going AT ALL. I have tried upwards transitions, carrying a crop and pole work. She is fed oats.

What should I do? Are there any exercises? Does anyone have a similar experience?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chloe_GHE]

My little 4 yr old sounds v similar he found working in the arena quite stuffy so that you had to use lots of leg and then when you asked him to come round he died on you. Cure was to get him cantering out hacking, I canter him nice and fwds on the grass in big open spaces and after a few of these faster hacks he really got the idea now he is nicely in front of the leg and really keen, also I found jumping him got him revved up too

 

[mtj]

I had an Arab mare for many years, who was a quiet and saintly 4 year old. I remember trying the oats trick - didn't work for us either.

She woke up around 6 or 7. Given her breeding, I think she was putting the energy into growth. The mare remained a great hack (100% traffic etc) for anyone who enjoyed a fun ride. Also happily competed at RC.

 

[Hels_Bells]

My WB can be very laid back at times (though luckily he perks up a bit at comps). He had a history of back trouble so I find a visit from our McTimoney Physio does him the world of good. It makes him really perky and he starts walking like a rocket!!

 

[kerilli]

it could be immaturity, sometimes they're very laid back when they're that young but get a lot more forward when they're physically (and mentally) stronger.
tbh i'd much rather have a horse like that, and teach it to go in front of the leg, and feed a bit of rocket fuel if necessary, than have a mega-whizzy one that's difficult to calm down!

 

[henryhorn]

She sounds as if she needs sharpening up a bit from your leg. Find some dressage spurs and use them backed up with a long schooling whip.
Practice whizzing off from a walk into a fast canter and stopping again.
Find a long track and really push her using the schooling whip (don't beat her, just tickle!)
Our stallion started eventing late in life and he really thought the whole thing pretty boring. We taught him to gallop at home and put him on Equijewel which gives oomph but not fizz. Once he got the idea he was fine.
Oh and we also borrowed some sharper spurs from a local event rider who suggested them, they were small but very pointed and worked well, from then on he moved forward with much less riding.
She is very young so I wouldn't be panicking, just make sure when you ask she does go away and that you aren't allowing all her energy to escape out the front door.
As the autumn arrives find a mate to do Pairs classes with, you will find she won't want to be left behind and should buck up her ideas..

 

[Doncella]

Go hunting that's what I plan on doing.

 

[Mups]

Hello!

Maybe slightly boring.. but I am bored at work with 20 minutes to go!!!

Just a quick update on my little laid back mare. I have moved her to a competition yard with lots of other horses and she has found her oomph! Whats more we came second and third in a local unaffiliated competition with lots of nice comments from the judges like "nice active movement"!!!

Thank you to all who commented - it seems she is just a bit more comfortable with other horses around her?

X