Lazy horse - tips/ advice?

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sloulou

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My 6 yr old has just really started to feel much more balanced and less wiggly over the last couple of months, but with this warmer weather he has really turned in to a lazy thing in the school.

He walks out nicely on hacks and is positively spritely
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but he is clearly switching off in the school.

Anyone got any tips for anything that has worked for them?

I know that his tack fits, so that isn't the problem. I tried lots of upward transitions (halt to trot, walk to canter) and I also tried making him go as fast as I could in an attempt to inspire him - but he wasn't really having any of that. I've been using a schooling whip to flick him if he doesn't respond to a leg aid, which does work but there is no energy there
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He is an Irish cob x TB.
 
Light leg aid and 2 schooling whips.
If he ignores a light leg, sharp crack from both schooling whips (obviously one on each side). Allow forwards with hands. Keep doing in short sharp transitions.
Works on most things!
 
Make the school time interesting, put out trotting poles, small jumps...cones are a real winner with me. Also don't school for longer than 15-20 minutes at a a time but when you do work hard, alternate days when you're in the school...erm, that should do
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[ QUOTE ]
Make the school time interesting, put out trotting poles, small jumps...cones are a real winner with me. Also don't school for longer than 15-20 minutes at a a time but when you do work hard, alternate days when you're in the school...erm, that should do
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Hello - new name?!
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I did jump yesterday - but he is as lazy with jumps as without
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I try to only school for about 20 mins max (tbh is the most I can manage
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) I usually hack first - then go in the school after...

Will try the cone suggestion
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Exho what the others have said, I have to be so strict with my lazy toad of a horse, and really race him around just to keep him awake. As you said it's coincided with the warmer weather, do you put electrolytes in the feed?
 
how hairy is he? ours really struggle towards the end of summer and are pretty lethargic. Their coats start coming back (conn x tb and an andy x tb) and they sweat more, even standing in the field if its warm (not that thats been a prob recently!!!) The sweating leads to loss of salts which you can replace, but they really don't like being too warm.

We clipped them out yesterday and we have done the last few years. It seems to make them much more lively and gives them their spring back in their step. So maybe try that?
 
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