Lazy horse

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Maisie56

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Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice

I have a 7 year old who with his previous owners did everything from XC, showjumping, trek, dressage at a young age (4/5) - my instructor mentioned that he's just done too much too quick and his brain is a bit frazzled now.

He comes across lethargic and unmotivated in the school (we do lots of transitions/vary it every time) even on hacks he is slow but you can get more of a forward going trot.

Once you get him going he is great but you have to really battle to get there.

Has anyone tried a supplement or anything that's really helped?

He's living out, getting hay when brought inside, on dengi and fast fibre so he shouldn't technically need extra energy but open to any suggestions! :)
 
I tend to agree with what your instructor says in that he sounds like his a bit sour, I would lay off the schooling and jumping for a bit and see if he gets some interest back, I would also make sure his saddle fits as a lack of being forward is often a sign there is a problem and you may have done the teeth physio checks already what with him being a new horse, but if not I would get all those done just to rule them out.
 
If you've ruled out the usual health issues, back, saddle fit etc, your horse sounds very much like my boy, who can move beautifully and is very athletic but most of the time he just likes to plod! I won't lie it can be very frustrating at times and he can be very hard work to get him into a more forward frame of mind. On the plus side he is completely un-spooky and fab to hack because he's not often bothered by stuff. I have never tried feeding him up so can't advise on that score, I would try and find something that he does enjoy; with mine in the school he likes halt to canter on a longish rein (cowboy style!) and if there's a little jump or two up in the arena we include that! Also a good canter in the woods. Could you go for a blast on the gallops or on the beach to really open him up and to do something a bit different?
 
I would have a full lameness workup. Have had similar experience myself, a three year old that was very lazy straight away. He turned out to be lame all round with a systemic problem causing arthritis in all his joints. Similarly know of a horse with bone spavins that was the same, yes you could get him fit and oat him up for improved performance, but the real problem was his legs. He is a hack now , level , but would not pass a vetting, but happy and well cared for. A cursory check from the vet found neither, the former needed x rays as he even passed flexions the bone spavin one failed flexions.
 
I'm a bit late for replying but I have known of someone to give their pony (a Shetland) a big handful of oats on nights before eg. A show it would be full of beans the next day. this was a few years ago so I could be wrong but I'm positive it was that haha. But you have to be careful with the amount given because of serious problems like colic. Possibly worth a try if it is mixed well with the horses usual feed?
 
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Maybe leave him out of work for a while and just pamper him a bit instead..tend to agree with instructor, it can blow some horses minds doing too much too soon for too long at a young age..walk in hand, groom, bath and put a yoga ball in field with him and play...
 
I had a school sour horse. I did some clicker training with her and use it in the school, making a 'game' with treats out of everything I want to teach her. It really does change their attitude.

And you can use clicker effectively to teach some of the higher schooling movements both in hand and ridden (travers, half pass, pirouettes, etc) as well as for just making the lower levels fun. You can also teach impulsion as a fun thing using clicker, in fact, whatever you want to teach you can use it once you get the hang of it and decide how you want to incorporate it. My influences were Hannah Dawson, Becky Chapman, thought I know there are several others out there who have good systems.
 
I would be tempted to get him checked out by a vet with full bloods and including teeth so as to ensure there is no underlying issues.
Get saddle checked by a good saddler.
If all is well then give him a nice rest from schooling for 12 months - just take him for some nice different and interesting hacks and pleasure rides.
 
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