motivation ideas for lazy horse

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vicksey

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Help! My mare is so lazy when schooling and Im at my wits end. She enjoys hacking out and is quite forward going out hacking, but when it comes to schooling she just isnt interested. I don't push her too hard and dont ask of her anything she is not capable of doing. Ive tried poles, jumping, lots of transitions etc but there is just no zest or sparkle...any ideas?
 
My horse is exactly the same, the only things that work is to keep her guessing so loads of transitions, changing the rein, different exercises, lateral movements. When she works well she gets praised. The one thing not to do is to keep nagging, your horse must react when you ask.
 
Lance is the same and you literally can get any thing out of him in the school without a whip and some spurs, he is that lazy.

Agree about the nagging, you end up pony club kicking Lace al te way round if you dont wear spurs in the school!

different horse out hacking though.
 
Thanks, the trouble is the schooling whip has no effect what so ever, but I must admit I don't like to use it to much and I am reluctent to try spurs as I have an unstable lower leg. Iam very aware not to nag and do try to use my leg properly as my instructor said I have made him dead to the leg a little so try bery much not to go on at him. Thanks for the tips
 
take her hunting, that will make her more forwards thinking. If not, then take her to a gallops with a friend.

Also have you had her teeth/back/saddle checked recently?
 
I have had a few laid back horses in the past. I had a Highland a couple of years ago that was too laid back, my friend who is blind could get on him and do anything. But when ride i like my horses to listen to me and my legs and he wouldnt.
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I tried jumping that would exhaust him etc . So i got him checked over, nothing was wrong with him!
In the end i put him on a competition mix and a joint supplement and this helped, it just gave him that little bit extra. You could even try a multi vitamin and mineral supplement, maybe she is missing some in her diet. i know where i live, there is a lack of magnesium in the soil.
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I have a very lazy horse too, that from day one when he was broken in has not reacted to leg, whip or spurs, but he's like that out hacking too! I have to really get after him to get anything out of him, then praise and instantly leave him alone when he does what I want. I sympathise tho, it can be incredibly frustrating!
 
Yes I do try, but the min I praise her she collapses and stops, then I have to get after her again and I feel the achievement and prasie has just gone out of the window.
I have had her back and teeth checked, she is on good quality hay and feed and is basically spoiled rotten. On the odd occassion I have got her working well she is fab....works nicely on the bit, very soft and rounded...but these moments are few and far between. I am worried if I put her on anymore feed she will gain weight and become fizzy???
 
Oh forgot to add, I did take her hunting once and she was really lively for about a week after...but only but hacking lol!
 
My mare is the same - BWB(!!) she loves a gallop and a hack but switches off in the school. She is young. She will hump and buck if pressed in the wrong place and if she does not think it was necessary....i.e. slowing down when the leg comes off, she switches off if you get after her and used to go back to walk after canter in one abrupt move! I keep things fun and sometimes she follows another horse round. She is rewarded by my voice. I lunge her, this is definitely helping and she is getting more forward going on the lunge which in turn is helping her in the school. With her it is taking patience and asking her rather than telling her but having said that she does get a reminder when she goes to change pace and i kick her on if a buck follows. She has had her back/saddle/teeth all the things checked - she is an opiniated mare - so different from a gelding but it takes all sorts! Good luck
 
Thanks guys, I thought I was just me. I was getting to the end of my tether...but you have spurred me on and me and my mare are going to crack this as a team. I feel all inspired now! x
 
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