Joey is becoming extremely lazy! Any ideas?

CharlotteBeth

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I've had my new horse for nearly 3 months, and he is so lazy at the moment.
He does need clipping which could help in the short term but its so annoying!
i have to kick, kick, kick and kick!
and when were jumping takes me about 5 hours to get him going, and when he refuses the jump i topple off cos I'v been concentrating so much on kicking and keeping him going!
He is also awful at bending, he's really not what I thought he was, and im dissapointed tbh
frown.gif

He was supposed to be a fab jumping pony which he is, when he jumps, but he refuses if I dont KICK KICK KICKKKKK!!
any ideas?
x
 
Have you had the vet to give him a once over if you think he has changed, if he used to be more forward going he could be in pain- maybe very slightly bilaterally lame that you might not be expected to notice or perhaps he has a virus. How old is he? Saddle check also might be in order as he could have changed shape going into winter. Is he fit enough for the work he is doing?
If he gets a clean bill of health then maybe it would be worth speaking to a feed advice line of one of the manufacturors to give him a bit more oomph?
 
is he fit enough?
def clip him
also do you ride him with a stick? spurs - dont mean spur him but touch him with with leg if no reaction then touch with whip still not forward then touch with spurs - that should get him forward - if you feel you cant keep lower leg still dont use spurs - you dont want to accidently use them. If he gallops off when you use leg praise him and gradually bring him back to the gait you were in. Then he should get a bit more in front of your leg.
if not is he bored? - mine has to do alot of work in school as has navicular now so cant hack much and dont go on unlevel ground. she does get bored in school sometimes -- take him for a blast somewhere?
 
I've just re read what I put and I sound stupid! I've just been so frustrated with him this past couple of weeks, cos I'm trying so hard & it doesnt feel like he's trying
smile.gif

thanks for the advice guys
smile.gif
will clip him, see if it makes a difference, just got a new saddle today so I'm going to try him in that, & then I'll get the vet if it continues.
thankyou
x
 
If you really want him to be more forward thinking - take him hunting or on a faster ride with a friend round a Xcountry course - or anywhere you can go for a good gallop!

It sounds stupid, but sometimes they just need permission to be able to go forward!
 
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