Lazy cob syndrome!

U

usernamepending

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 March 2012
Messages
143
Visit site
Driving me nuts!

My welsh D has always been very off the leg after a few minutes warm up and generally quiet forward going. But after we have moved to the new yard and he's in his element (lovely big fields and lots of friends) he has turned into a slug!

It's Ridiculous! I Struggle to get him into trot and any more than a side of canter is bordering on impossible.

A whip makes no difference at all... Tried everything from hacking new places so he doesn't get bored to loose jumping him!

So any tips to get him moving off the leg and forward?! I hate having to constantly kick him and don't want to make him numb to the sides!

Any help much appreciated! :)
 
Seems rather strange if they were forward going before. Are they overweight ie more to carry teeth etc? But saying that I had one of these too and so did my relative. But I wasnt a speed merchant but it is frustrating sometimes I did want a bit of a canter but it was blooming hard work and his sides were dead to leg whip etc. Othertimes he would suprise me! I even had comments oh he is old isnt he(ur No wasnt then)!Just Lazy. His previous owners had tried different feeds to speed him up.
 
Ok, if his behaviour has changed after moving to a new yard eliminate physical reasons first.
If he is not moving forward off the leg, as he used to, he could have pulled a muscle or been booted playing about in the field. New grazing, could mean a touch of laminitis making him sore, or thrush, or perhaps he has a puncture wound/abcess in his foot, sometimes hard to spot, -that hasn't yet caused lameness but makes him reluctant.
Has his stride changed ? Is it short or is turning on a tight circle make him uncomfortable ?
Has his weight changed and does his saddle no longer fit ?

With any change, tick off all the possible physical causes and then look at the psychological/environmental changes. Usually there is a valid reason but its a bit of a jigsaw puzzle to work out why.
 
As above, physical check over may be wise in the first instance. After any problems in that department have been ruled out, you could try the following:

1. Hundreds (yes, literally) of transitions. Try to get as many as possible round a 20m circle. Do NOT accept anything less than the pace you are asking for. It may take you 20 goes to achieve at first, but it'll be 10 the next time and so on. I use a system of first upping my energy - i.e. lifting rib cage, breathing in, looking ahead. If this doesn't work - and don't make the mistake of believing that a "ploddy" horse can't interpret these signals, mine has proved that he can - it's a gentle squeeze with the inside leg. If that doesn't work, employ spurs/wip-***/other aid (see below). The first few times, stage three may look like all hell breaking loose. I've sat there screaming at the top of my voice waving my arms in the air before now. Whatever happens, the horse MUST go forward. As soon as he does, all pressure is immediately removed and he gets a "good boy" or a pat. Or at least mine would, if he didn't think "good boy" is just another way of saying "whoa" :rolleyes:
2. A wip-*** (piece of rope swung over the withers) rather than a whip. This used to work on my lazy lump, but not any more :rolleyes:
3. Spurs for a few weeks.
4. Some fast hacking for a change of scenery. Would a canter in company perk him up?
5. Look at what you're feeding and see if there's anything that could be added for energy. Alternatively - is he maybe a bit overweight? If so, getting the excess off may help. Having said all that, I've even tried mine on oats, didn't make a blind bit of difference.

I think I need to start my own thread asking or advice, as mine becomes responsive for a while each time I try something new, then it's back to same old, same old. You have my full sympathy: I am usually good with the lazy onesas I am quite determined, but mine takes it to a whole new level.
 
Thanks for all the replies!

Had everything checked so not pain related at all... He's not super fit but not overweight as such and defiantly not at his largest...

Thanks Puddock that's really helpful! I'll up my transitions and try rope idea!

Thank again, all very helpful! Shall be putting it all into practie tomorrow! Determined to get him moving!!
 
Is it just in the school?

DF has been like this for the past 4 weeks :rolleyes: managed to finally crack the answer today :cool:
Worked in open paddock... sulked & trudged.. then popped out the main gate & straight onto common land for swift trot (she's sharp out!). With senses shapened we then trotted back into grass paddock for another 8 mins till she decided she was putting me on ignore again. Repeated the same exercise in going out & again got most lovely paces inc shoulder in. Repeated 4 times over 40 mins & spent the last 5 mins working in the paddock really well & got off with a grin :D

I will add, that spurs, rope over withers, 2 schooling whips, riding her myself and also a very strong top-notch instructor who rode her on Friday all had no lightbulb moments from her whatsoever :rolleyes: baggage!

Summing up, when she's out, she's going very well & just a bit too alert & spooky, I just tried to channel & feed this into her by swapping & changing routine very quickly.
However not ideal for those who dont have the addition of off-road on the doorstep.

Good luck OP, hope you get this cracked, I was going to resport to getting someone to lunge me, as the only thing she really does respect is a lunge whip (never used on her, but in a previous life she must have - as is rather sharp when one is produced!)

DF has not tried this going on strike when out to parties.. yet :o
 
I had problems with Shy not so long ago, and it turned out the gullet in his saddle was too wide, and it was causing the saddle to tip and pinch. He'd only changed shape slightly too. Might be worth a check when you're next in the saddle. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top