Lazy pony

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Aniseed

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Last summer I had issues with my horse as once she was turned out 24/7 her energy levels completely dropped. I hardly did anything but hack all summer because she was no fun to ride. I had her bloods checked, full MOT by vet, teeth, saddle checked etc. Spoke to various feed companies and tried her on competition mix, top spec balancer, red cell and propell plus (not all at the same time) and nothing made any difference. She was on restricted grazing as she is a welsh cob so I have to go careful whith her weight. One of the feed companies said it sounds like she just chills out in the summer and there is nothing I can do about it.

Anyway... I think I am going to have exactly the same problems this summer and I really don't want to go through it again. She is fairly fit but has no enthusiasm for anything, even when I take her around the gallops.

I don't want to end up spending loads of money on supplements again as nothing last year made any difference. She is now being fed equilibrium balancer and a handfull of chaff twice a day which she did well on all winter (in larger quantities + sugar beet). I could stable her during the day as a last resort but I am reluctant to do this as she is so happy out all the time and I can't face a summer mucking out!

There must be a solution, I miss my excitable little cob!
 
How long do you bring her off the grass before riding her?

If she carrys even a little bit more weight then this will effect her energy massively. Any feed that will potentially give her energy will potentially put on weight which will add to the problem.
 
I know it's such a balancing act. Last year I struggled to keep weight on her because there was next to no grass. This year she is in a field with quite a bit of grass but it doesn't seem to be making a difference.

She only comes in about half an hour before i ride. I did try keeping her in overnight before competitions/lessons but she was still the same.
 
My previous loan mare sounded the same. Through the winter she was a buzzing, crazy arab who would spook at everything and so excited to canter out on hacks etc. But as soon as she is turned out 24/7 in the summer she became a dope on a rope. I could ride around on a loose rein and she would not spook at anything, but trying to get her to canter and keep cantering was hard work, when normally I am holding her back! We tried feed that would make her fizzy, she was on nice grass as she had no problems with her weight, and came to the conclusion that it was just the way she is.

What kind of work do you do with her. As obviously in the summer I hack out but go out for longer and with more fast work than I would have done in the winter so this could contribute towards it.
 
Yep your loan horse sounds exactly the same. She gets ridden 5-6 days a week, at least once around the gallops, a decent length hack at the weekend and a mix of hacking and schoolilng during the week. I would say her workload is much the same as it was over the winter.

I really want to get out and do some small dressage and SJ competitions but she just feels so flat.
 
my cob is the same, he seems to have a summer switch that turns him into a lazy arse :) Nothing I can do about it but as a nervous nelly I'm happy with this... for now.

Have you tried riding less and then when you ride your cob might be a bit more up for a play?
 
I don't really want to ride less because then I think she would just get fat and unfit. She wasn't ridden for 4 days last week because I was away but she was still completely chilled out when I next rode. I don't think riding less would work.
 
Could it just be how she is? Previous 'excitability' could have been down to a problem that is now resolved?
 
I agree with teddyt. My pony just doesn't cope well on 24/7 turn out. She just goes all sleepy and has no energy. My mare is worked 5-6 days a week and when she is stabled at night she never lacks energy but with 24/7 turnout all she wants to do is sleep! But what I did find that worked well with her was to bring her in once a week. This seemed to boost her energy levels. I guess its because she got a good sleep in her stable for that one night?? But I have chosen to keep her in this summer as I just don't think she enjoys living out. 24/7 turnout just doesn't suit all ponies.
 
Being out 24/7 can be hard work >;0) Well my youngster thinks so.

Lots of good advice, try keeping in for at least a couple of hours before riding, my youngster has to have at least 1/2 day in and spends it flat out asleep!! I think it is the grass belly in his case

The more you ride and the more fast work you can get in, the better chance of her being more forward. Just make sure that you are being really consistent when riding and not letting her ignore your aids or not work properly, even hacking.

Also as she is cobby does she has a thick coat? I used to compete my sisters cob and she needed to be fully clipped out in the summer (only a blanket in winter!!) so she could cope with the heat and it definatley made her a bit more spritely.

Hope you find something that works for you
 
Thank you for all the advice. I guess I could try bringing her in do you think it would be better during the day or over night? She has got her summer coat but I do find she sweats up quite a lot when I work her so it is probably quite thick. Never really considered clipping in the summer.
 
QR

My cob was similar to this a few weeks aog, despite being fine all winter, so our RI told use to squeeze with my leg, if the horse staying in walk, I had to completely take my leg off and hold them to the side for about 1 second then do one meaningful kick. He got abit of a shock but after about 15 mins of this (with transactions) he soon picked it up. He's now great to ride and if he's feeling a tad lazy, I just take my legs completely off him and he gets going again, without the need for a kick.

I haven't really explained that very well, sorry :)

We also use lots of variety whilst in the arena to keep him concerntrating and alert which seems to help.

Also, mine is stabled at night which is better for him (well, me riding him :) ).

Good Luck
 
Another thought- could her previous excitability actually have been because of her being shut in- which she disliked so got more wound up when allowed out and ridden. She may not be lacking in energy now, just more mentally settled now she is allowed freedom and is away from the frustration of being confined. It may show more in the summer because it is warmer and usually less windy than in the winter and there is more food about/energy requirements are lower due to temperature.
 
Ron is like this in the summer (until he sees a jump) and I recommend these two things...
1) keep her in during the day (especially hot days) and ride in the evening or early morning
2) if possible try taking a neck and belly clip (or even more) off to help her feel cool and comfortable.

I clipped Ron out fully 2 years ago as it was hot and he was working hard, and apart from the odd night I didn't put a rug on him at all.
 
I don't think she is unhappy in her stable. I have had her for eight years and last summer was the first time I had a problem with her being lazy. She may just be mellowing out with age as she is 12 now.

What do you think of her weight/condition. I took this photo on my mobile this morning so it isn't very good. She is naturally built a bit like a greyhound with a long back but do you think she looks about the right weight for this time of year?
Aniseed.jpg
 
I know it isn't very good. I will try and get a proper one at the weekend. I fin it so difficult to judge her weight as I think she is looking a little on the porky side at the mo but I think she actually looks quite trim in the photo.
 
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