Lazy horse hacking

McNally

McNally

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My horse is really lazy out hacking. As he has had ongoing lameness issues i dont like to push him on in case its pain thats holding him back. (although he is only ridden when sound obviously)
So its become worse, we plod around to the point at times if he's having an especially bad day the moment i stop pushing he actually stops and go's back wards!!!
I know its a form of napping- he is a very nappy horse anyway.
I carry a schooling whip and am careful not to be kick, kick, kick however tempting this may be!
I had accepted his lameness/laziness as him and the way things are but actually the vet who treats him said its better for him to be actively walking out and that it will benefit him more having decent exercise when he can manage it.
I know full well he has a HUGE walk and does an amazing extended trot when he feels like it.
I found for a while tickling with my toes helped but now its not so great and i do look the idiot doing it!
I would like just to keep up with my daughter on the roads- nothing flat out but some tips to will him on forwards would be great!
- nb- I cant school him due to his problems, also cant hack very far so am limited in the varied work department!
 
There was a post similar to this the other day. Another member (sorry can't remember your name) had some very good advice, which I will try with my mare in the school.

1st squeeze with your legs and think forwards, If Horse doesnt react, take your leg off and this time a firm kick. If Horse still doesn't move off your leg then use the whip. Horse will soon learn to go off your leg.

It sounds like maybe your Horse is taking the micky, if you keep giving him the benifit of the doubt as your not sure about pain issues causing this, he will learn that he can walk slowley as you won't make him.
 
Hi- Yes i've tried that! It works for a few strides.....
I have no doubt at all he's taking the piss tbh just he's so stubborn everything is met with the same few fast steps during which i praise and back off- then back to plod!
 
Have you tried spurs? I know not everyone likes them but they are useful sometimes.

I once shared a Horse that was really lazy and napped like a good'un! I used spurs with him, I preferd that to keep kicking and using the schooling whip. It did send him forwards and he was much more respectful to my leg. Hardly had to use my leg at all, as he knew they were there.
 
I have a horse that used to be slow out hacking(and still can be sometimes)
He also had physical issues that required exercise to overcome!
He is now delightfully forwards. I think this is down to many factors. Here are my tips.
Long schooling (tickle) stick. I pick mine from the hedge,so they are always different in length and weight, so he never gets 'stick numb.'
Use said tickle stick creatively. A tickle on the poll,like an annoying fly, works wonders for mine.
Snack Hacks. Ride purposefully up to a bush,tree or clump of grass and let him have a nibble, then ride purposefully on in search of the next morsel.(I have even placed feed buckets along the route:o)
Back up your leg aid with sound. I discovered this when my stirrup scraped along a wall and made the horse shoot forwards,so I tried blowing a raspberry to back up my leg aid...........am now thinking of buying 2 squeeky toys and strapping them to my ankles so a) when I give a big leg aid its boosted by sound and b) it will help me keep my legs quiet when he is going forwards!
In other words,be creative!.........This also makes hacking a plod slightly more interesting!:)
 
abitodd- your hacks sound hilarious but i am going to give it a try! Thank you.

Laurenbay- yes i have thought spurs- never used them myself before as never had the need for them but i have bid on some cheapies on ebay to try out! I imagine he's used to spurs he is an ex-dressage horse- will certainly give them ago, I think kinder than big constant pony club kicks!
 
I have the same problem only part of it is down to me. My horse had joint problems, vet and farrier tell me to work him to keep him mobile. And I need to push him on, but I feel guilty then thinking I'm maybe hurting him. Although he will chase a feed bucket at double speed.
 
lol, maybe they discuss tactics!

Its hard when you know they *might* be sore- even when like you say feed buckets make them forget!

I had figured i didnt care, if he wanted to plod that was fine (even though last week he took off with me flat out no problem!!) but if the vet is recommending more to help him.....
 
Is he better on softer going? My old boy's soles started to get really thin towards the end of his life and he wasn't great on hard or stony tracks. But as he'd hunted a lot he was really used to being squeezed onto the narrowest of grass verges or any bits of soft ground and much preferred this. Perhaps try your longer hacks only when we've had some rain and the ground has eased a bit or where you can get on the verge.
He was also best on the days when some horses can be a pain to hack - when it was cold or windy as he was more forward going then!
 
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