Lazy Horse. Help please

[Amanda&Dee]

Hello everyone

This is my 1st post so i'm hoping there's someone who can help me. Any feedback, constructive criticism is very much appreciated.

I have had my 16.3h Thoroughbred X Hanoverian mare since last July so we are very much still getting to know each other. She has a nice temperament however in her stable she can get quite wound up if she's left in herself and does tend to box walk quite a bit. She has lots of energy in the field and while being led etc but when I go to school her in our arena she is really quite lazy. I do use spurs on her but I feel that for a horse her breed and size she should have a bit more oomft. She's 16 and on Dodson & Horrell 16+ along with Alpha Alpha and Beetpulp. I have thought about giving her something a bit more energetic feed wise but i'm a bit nervous as to how she will react in the stable etc. When i'm out riding and jumping etc she is a joy and I don't have the same problem...I think she just finds schooling generally quite boring. Can anyone advise on any ideas on how to have her a bit more lively while schooling/normal day work?

Thank you,

Amanda

 

[nianya]

Sounds like she just finds flatwork dull. Can't say I blame her I would not go to feed to make her more spunky, since she's clearly got energy everywhere else. That is just work you're going to have to do. If you think she's bored, then find ways to get her mind engaged. I always do lots of poles, figure 8's, circles, transitions, etc because my horses and I all find arena work dull. Mix things up basically.

 

[YorksG]

If it is only in the school that this happens, then I suspect that she either finds it boring, or that she finds the surface difficult. Try and plan your session in advance, with an aim in mind,ensure lots of changes of direction, lots of changes of tempo, within the pace, lots of changes of pace. One excellent exercise to get a horse engaged and listening is five walk strides, five trot strides, repeated five or ten times. Try working on some lateral moves as well and maybe get an instructor in. Are you sure that your lower leg is stable enough to use the spurs?

 

[Shay]

Ditto the others really. A lot of horses find schoolwork dull. We scatter loose poles about and work around them so the horses always have to be aware of where their feet are. Gives them something to think about. Lots of changes of direction, changes of pace. Getting out and about a lot can help too - ours are always more up for it after competition or hunting. Might you be able to hack more and school on hacks now the evenings are getting lighter? Changing her feeds or using spurs will not have an impact on her if she is a but school sour.

 

[Amanda&Dee]

Hi guys
Thank you for y

 

[EllaRidesHorses]

My mate suffers with schooling boredom too! I usually incorporate lots of turns, circles, serpentined changes of rein etc to keep her brain entertained. She loves pole work, and is very forward! Sometimes I put poles in a + shape, with more of a gap so if you aim for the centre of the poles you would be on a 20m circle. This helps her stay entertained and on a nice circle!