Lazy pony!

[Superdor84]

Does anyone have any ideas or tips I can use to help get my lazy pony to want to work and actually go forward!? I’ve recently taken him on full loan, he’s 14 and mildly arthritic in his right hind hock. He has a yearly steroid injection and I am also starting him on cortaflex super fenn. He’s had the saddle fitter and a new saddle, just had his teeth done and physio is booked for this weekend as I think he’s a little sore on his back from previous poor saddle fit. He LOVES to jump but funnily enough if in the school at home he’s lazy, but if you take him out he’s very forward. He hates flatwork but can actually move really beautifully which is the annoying thing. I’ve never ridden in Spurs but I might try it, schooling whip doesn’t seem to do much and he goes very dead to your leg, he’s soooo lazy and stubborn for flat work! Any tips would be super appreciated. X

 

[GreyMane]

I've posted this clip before because it made such an impression on me.
It's not hard to imagine the way many other people would have treated this horse.
Edited to add, this may not be your horse's mindset, and clearly there've been physical issues that may still be affecting him. But if I could start from here, I would.

 

[Superdor84]

Thank you I will try this!

 

[oldie48]

You'll get lots of advice I'm sure but having had one like this I'd suggest keeping him out of the school and doing your schooling out hacking when he's happy and forward. He sounds school sour and it can be pretty dispiriting trying to make them enthusiastic about working in the school. Otherwise use his love of jumping to keep him happy. Warm him up by taking him for a short hack, if he's a bit stiff he does need time to loosen up, school him round jumps and let him pop over one or use pole work if that cheers him up. Just make sure he's not sore though before you try that.

 

[Superdor84]

Thank you, he’s a bit nervous and spooky to hack alone but that’s something we will work on. He’s currently having a full week off and Im hoping the physio will help with his back at the weekend, and the cortaflex should help with his hock. I think I’ll need to start right from the bottom with flatwork and build it up slowly

 

[millikins]

Physical issues aside he sounds more school sour than lazy. If he's forward when out, not sure if you mean hacking or other venues, I'd suggest do schooling then. I have a 3/4 mile track which I have to go up to get anywhere else when hacking. It's actually a really nice track but feels very tedious at times for both horse and rider so we leg yield or shoulder in where the ground's good. Also can you ring the changes in the school, weaving through cones, a maze of poles etc.

 

[Superdor84]

Yes I think school sour too. And he’s more forward for hacking and also when I take him to arena hires and venues etc. We went to camp a few weeks ago and he was amazing the whole weekend! And then as soon as we got home he went back to being stubborn and lazy again. We will work more on hacking and schooling at the same time, thank you