Lazy horse!!

M

maxnwalt

New User
Joined
3 August 2008
Messages
3
Location
Clitheroe, Lancashire
Visit site
Has anyone got any ideas on how to get my horse off my leg?? Ive tried the usual, schooling whip, spurs etc. Had the tack checked and fits perfectly, shes also fed on a adequate diet for a good-doer. She is a highland of which some are known to be 'laid back'. The change in paces is no problem its keeping her going, i constantly have to keep my leg on or she loses the momentum, which gets tiring!! Any suggestions will be taken on board (literally!!)
 
Is she lazy because she hasn't been taught to go off the leg .... or because she is clever enough not to bother doing something she doesn't enjoy.

My girl hates dressage with a vengence and no threats or consistent schooling are enough to persuade her its worth the effort.

Put her in front of a jump and she is a different horse.

Take her hunting and she makes all the thoroughbreds look lazy!!

So maybe find something she enjoys and maybe that will inspire her???
 
Your problem isn't responsiveness if moving up gaits isn't a problem, so it's not really about spurs etc to sharpen an aid - it's about schooling so your pony learns that "legs on means go forwards and keep going". It all depends on how you're riding, which is hard to judge on here - constantly nagging will switch her off, but it's a skill to re-enforce the leg aid at the right moment, just as she starts to slip down a gear - an instructor could help you with that.

Personally I would ride her forwards with a schooling whip to back up my leg, any infringement of the "legs on = forward" rule would be greeted with a touch with the schooling whip, to ensure a well maintained gait, not holding her back, and doing short bursts so that neither of you get tired and she gets a reward for moving forwards consistently.
 
She is what i call a quiet genius so it is probably the latter! Shes been out of work for 8 years as a broodmare so lack of schooling looks to being a factor too, ive tried getting her excited by putting jumps up but she refuses those, i have taken her a few times to a local farm ride and attempted the small cross country jumps but she stops and takes four steps over it! the ironic thing is i do endurance pleasure rides with her and shes not as lazy doing those or just general hacking, i dont seem to need to work as hard. I feel really bad because i dont seem to have found anything that she really likes doing, i want her to enjoy being ridden!
 
I do tend to constantly nag her which i know in the back of mind is probably not doing either of us any favours, ive had a few lessons and the instructor didnt really give me any advice on how to keep her going just to get her going, although i do think a few more would benefit.

Thankyou for all your comments!
 
Find a good instructor, who will check that you are riding form your seat and not restricting forwards movement in any way with your hands.
Instead of nagging with your legs, try 'walking' with your seat-bones to encourage the horse forwards in time with her movement.
It does sound though as if she enjoys hacking and endurance, so perhaps you should try to do your schooling away from home.
 
maxnwalt said:
She is what i call a quiet genius so it is probably the latter! Shes been out of work for 8 years as a broodmare so lack of schooling looks to being a factor too, ive tried getting her excited by putting jumps up but she refuses those, i have taken her a few times to a local farm ride and attempted the small cross country jumps but she stops and takes four steps over it! the ironic thing is i do endurance pleasure rides with her and shes not as lazy doing those or just general hacking, i dont seem to need to work as hard. I feel really bad because i dont seem to have found anything that she really likes doing, i want her to enjoy being ridden!
Click to expand...

Can she actually jump? I know all horses "can" but some don't quite seem to believe it at first ;) Have you tried free jumping her to see how confident she is? I like playing mounted games with mine too, it always gives them a boost ;) Maybe look for a different instructor, and specifically ask them for help with the forwardness issue? Depending on where you are, there is a highland judge called Erik something who a friend of mine has lessons with her lad who is similarly inclined towards laziness.


eta - friend's pony is inclined towards laziness, NOT erik the instructor LOL

BTW pics would be nice :) I have two highlands myself, love them to bits!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top