Moving on with lazy bones...

[lil'chesnut]

I have just got back from a brilliant ride with Mr Cob, but although he jumped well, I am beginning to become a little annoyed (dare I say) with the fact that he is constantly thinking backwards.
I understand that I may have something to do with this as I am by no means Carl Hester, but I cannot see why he has become so lazy and sloppy.
When trotting and cantering (espiecially when he is beginning to work in an outline) he seems to slow himself right up and there is no possible way to speed him up. He just "shuts down". A friend has suggested i just carry a stick, but he is absolutely petrified of them and freaks out if he sees one. We don't know why though as he's never been hit with one. I know it sounds bad, but a Pony Club "flap" of the legs doesn't seem to work either. It is particularly worrying when coming into a fence. He keeps backing off and no matter what you do he doesn't listen to leg. in the final 3 strides before take off, he will suddenly move off however. upon landing, again, he slows back to a trot.

I know i'm not the best rider in the world but is it something i am doing?
Thanks in advance

 

[jaquelin]

Freaking out at a stick is an evasion; you need to back up your leg, so it's either a stick or spurs.