Lazy, now fast, schooling problems

[Louby]

My horse just goes through the motions whilst schooling, not putting much effort into it at all. I thought all was well and hadnt really realised this until a friend commented that he looked lazy and made me 'ride' him much more forwards, he felt amazing and really worked well but I cant get this feeling when Im in the school alone. All Im getting now is a rushed pony like trot. Its a shame really as I think my boy thinks 'god I gotta move' and he just rushes in trot, it feels awful like hes dragging himself along at speed, not pushing from behind and I feel like Im all over the place. I get no responce to half halts and he feels tense and if I wanted to stop it feels like I couldnt. On the other hand he would happily slob arround all day, theres no happy medium.
Any tips on how to make him put more effort in without making him rush. Weve lost all our rythmm.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Make lots of direction changes, circles, loops, serpentines. If you think he's worried by the changes your making in your schooling, then remember to praise him, I find the action of leaning forward, giving verbal praise and a good rub on the neck generally makes them stretch down, which is relaxing and therefore helps you in the long run. Is the bit right for him, sounds like he might be running against it? Think back to what your friend had you do which made such a difference.
Good luck, and remember to work him when you're hacking too, little and often is the key!

 

[Louby]

Thanks for replying.
Hes always had a bit issue, well more of a tongue issue and weve probably tried every bit going as he constantly draws his tongue back so hes never really truely on the bit although he is usually round. Hes currently in a NS trans link loose ring snaffle with a slightly curved mouthpiece (cant think of its name) and a drop noseband. Ive just read with interest about the Elevator bridles, Im using there headpiece, surely this cant make a difference for the worse???
My boy takes the micky out of me, he knows Im a walk over, my friend only has to walk into the middle of the school and hes like Oooomph, Im now a dressage horse

. If she lunges him he moves, (no whip carried) if I lunge him he does what he has too.

 

[zelli]

Rather than pushing him forward and faster, try making your rise longer. If you stand up in your stirrups whilst standing, the position you will be placed in is where you want to reach with your rise. This will encourage him to lengthen his stride in order to match you. Trot is the easist pace to manipulate, so start here.

As far as lungeing goes, check out your body language... you could be telling him the opposite to what you want to be telling him. Walk into the arena with a mission, and mean that mission all the way through, dont think you are lungeing a lazy, think you are lungeing a well schooled, forward going horse! (This attitude is also good with the riding, Can't remember who said it but someone once said 'I think, therefore I am' in a completly different context but I always feel is a very good thing to have in mind whilst around horses, we tell them alot we are not aware about...)

 

[Pep12]

I had the same problem and was told by my instructor that the running is just a different evasion. Now he has realised he can't be lazy to get out of using his back end properly, he runs to avoid using it. Again lots of changes of direction and you dictate the trot pace not him (done by rising slower (pause at top of rise makes it easier). You will get there as he builds up the correct muscles

 

[Kat]

In trot try slowing your rise and holding with your body but getting your leg on and if necessary using a flick with the dressage whip.

You don't want to increase the speed, just the energy and expression.

You have probably rushed him out of his natural rythm and unblanaced him through wanting to get him working more energetically. It is difficult to balance increasing the energy and impulsion without increasing the speed.

Focus on the rythm. Make turns and circles to try and slow him down and engage his quarters properly too.

 

[Louby]

Thanks everyone. I will try that. He's a clever horse and can do flying changes, finds lateral work easy and has a fantastic canter, he just needs more impulsion and I feel like weve gone back to the beguinning now as hes rushing and hollowing especially in trot. I will practice the rising slower as at the moment he's riding like a 12.2hh

 

[cellie]

I have had similiar problems (when he has been sound) I think if they are quite clever they get bored easily.They switch off if bored I have to really increase my energy levels to get a good response .It sounds as if you are laid back and possibly your friend is more high energy.Lots of changes and different practices help .Can you vary his work with poles that makes them think more forward and you can make it much more fun for him.Some horse need much more variety if not they go brain dead.