Once a plod, always a plod?

[Stormynight]

Do you agree?

I'll explain my reason for asking. Young horse, 5 year old. He had napping issues when he arrived, mainly planting and refusing to move, totally shutting down. We've worked with this guy for the last 9 months, had his teeth, saddle, back, general health etc checked out and sorted, he's of a good weight, lovely shiny coat, fed balancer to provide any vits he's missing. He's a happy, friendly, inquisitive horse who no longer naps. However, he's still a complete and utter plod who will amble along at half a mile an hour at any chance he gets. He can be spooky, but he will pass anything scary if asked when out and about.

He's young, so work isn't overdone. He mainly does short hacks (with an occasional longer one), both roadwork and bridleways. He's schooled occasionally for no more than 20mins or so (he struggles to concentrate for too long), we do plenty of transitions and making him listen. I try not to nag him, and leg is backed up with a whip when appropriate, but he often chooses to ignore that, too. He's marginally more forward when behind another horse, and he can opt to be forward on rare occasions (big group canters, at showgrounds, etc), but for general ridden work it's a real "do I HAVE to?" attitude. He's no more forward on the way home than he is on the way out.

Any experiences on encouraging a horse to be more forward? Or is a naturally lazy horse always predisposed to being a bit of a plod?

 

[Shay]

Although there is an element of their natural way of being I can't agree that there is nothing more you can do to encourage him to be more forward. He'll always be a bit of hard work I suspect - but there should still be scope for improvement. It sounds like he came to you totally shut down so you need to find what it is in life he really likes. You don't say how big he is but at only 5 might he still have some growing to do? Obviously this is just pop psych advice from someone off a forum who has never seen the horse but I would be wondering if being turned away to grow might help? If the feed balance is quite right for him? Then if he needs more variation in routine? I'm presuming back / teeth / tack are all OK - nothing blocking forward movement at all? Perhaps a niche answer but cubbing come autumn can make all the difference to horses like this.

Either way - keep trying. He's got a button in there somewhere - you just have to find it and push it!

 

[SadKen]

Not always, but sometimes!

I've had a few horses that have whizzed up nicely when fitter and fed differently. Is he pretty fit now?

I've known two horses that really were total plods, even in the height of summer when ridden 5 hours a day (some hacking, some schooling, some jumping - it could not have been more mixed). Oh, Ryan and Columbus, how you enraged me, with your refusal to motor, no matter what the circumstances, or what the discipline was!

You know what - both went to lovely novice homes with middle aged ladies who wanted to hack steadily with no surprises. Happy horses, happy owners. It's not the end of the world if yours is a plod OP - if it is the way he is, and you want something different, you'd have no trouble finding him a lovely home I'm sure.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Our boy was always hard work off the leg, xc he was a bit better but still hard work to get going.

Then he went down with laminitis, we found out he was IR and put on metformin and the complete difference to his energy levels is amazing. Don't have to nag him or keep pushing forwards any more.

So I think there is always a reason, May not be the one above but it's there.

 

[SO1]

No necessarily, my pony when 5 was very steady and laid back and that at about 7 it was like he suddenly woke up and since then has got more and more forward going and at nearly 13 he is fast out hacking and likes a good canter in the school.

I think different feeds, environments etc can also have an impact too.

 

[irishcob]

Take him hunting - sure seems to whizz my guys up! Or as that's a long way away, find a partner to hire some gallops with, or maybe a hooley along the beach. It's got to be fun, and he may just discover his inner race horse!

That said, there is nothing wrong with a reliable steddy eddie if that's what he'd rather be

 

[Stormynight]

Interesting replies

Shay - He's 16.1, and likely still has some growing to do. He is still quite babyish in some respects, so perhaps turning away for a while may be a good idea. Having said that, he's not worked particularly hard, mainly because of his maturity level. We've tried including him in group jumping sessions (diddy cross poles for him, but still an exciting set up, you'd think), and although he doesn't refuse anything he's pointed at it's difficult to keep him in a reasonable trot. Teeth, tack, back are all fine, he's happy to be tacked up and mounted (he wasn't when he arrived). He was more forward and a little bouncy at the showground we took him to recently - I'm trying to get him out more but as we don't have our own transport, it's a little limited. The other young horses I've had in the past have always been enthused about going out!

SK - He's not super fit, but he's not unfit either. He can do a 1hr hack, walk, trot and a little canter without breaking much of a sweat. He's a wonderful boy with a lovely nature, he's just a little frustrating with his lack of get-up-and-go! He'd be a perfect for somebody who just wanted to plod, but equally he can be a huge wuss with silly stuff out hacking.

SC - IR... is that similar to EMS? That's interesting... we don't struggle with his weight at all, and the vet commented on what good condition he was in the last time they saw him (last month!). It's difficult when you start looking at reasons for behavior... he doesn't show any iffy signs anywhere else, so I'm not sure where I'd start!

 

[Annagain]

My share horse isn't a plod but is very laid back. He'll do what you ask readily but not an ounce more and will go back to sleep as soon as you stop asking. He will quite happily trundle along behind the others not caring about getting left behind. He's 19 and was the same when I first met him aged 5.

I love him like this as it makes him so easy and safe. Nobody has ever fallen off him, just fallen over with him! There are the odd moments out hacking when I wish he was a bit more lively, but I have my horse for that and I'd much rather take M to a competition than mine!

 

[supsup]

I think to a degree - yes. I don't think you can change your horse's fundamental character. Those who are maybe a bit insecure and feel most comfortable at home with the herd can certainly be trained to accept going out alone etc. and to respond to aids, but I don't think you can necessarily train them to *like* it. So they will probably always need to be asked, and will never really volunteer with enthusiasm.
My gelding is a bit like this. I call him "motivationally challenged". He is fit and well schooled, and when he's motivated (this usually involves hacking in a group) is a wonderful ride. But the moment he decides something is hard work or boring, he needs to be asked and "made to do", and he will usually offer the least amount of effort he thinks he can get away with. And I don't think there's anything more I can do to change that. I think the most successful route is to bring fitness and schooling well up to scratch, and then try and find out what motivates the horse and work with him.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Ir and EMS are the same. I have known a few that have livened up on metformin. But I wouldn't go looking for things if his wright is fine, mine was always a bit over no matter his much he was worked.

 

[Stormynight]

annagain - interesting that he hasn't changed. My friend is of the opinion that "he's only young, he probably lacks confidence", but that doesn't seem to mesh with the others I've had... the forward ones have been relatively forward from the start.

supsup - Motivationally challenged, I love that!! That's him all over... the motivation CAN be there, he's shown it on rare occasions, it's just that 99% of the time he decides against it. I love him to pieces, but I do miss having a horse that enjoys their work and wants to do it.

SC - Thanks for the clarification. He doesn't have a crest, channel or any obvious fat pads... my vet is happy with his weight, so hopefully that's not a concern

 

[concorde]

He would be perfect for an adult looking for a quiet ride.
Probably worth a lot of money so don't despair !

 

[PorkChop]

I'd rather have a boring horse that I can do interesting things on!

I think with feeding and fittening - and also correct schooling, getting him sharp to your leg aids - will make all the difference. It is far easier to whizz them up them calm them down

 

[Annagain]

annagain - interesting that he hasn't changed. My friend is of the opinion that "he's only young, he probably lacks confidence", but that doesn't seem to mesh with the others I've had... the forward ones have been relatively forward from the start.

There could be a slight difference here in that M has never lacked confidence. I think his confidence in some ways is why he's so laid back. He doesn't get het up about anything as nothing bothers him. My other horse is petrified of being left behind so will race or certainly pull to keep up. M just knows the others will wait for him at the end so there's no point getting his pants in a tangle. He's very talented, and very genuine but just very fuel efficient. We never had any napping issues or anything like that with him. If it is a lack of confidence he could well improve.

As others have said though there is a lot to be said for it. He's just the easiest horse to deal with and ride, which is great as I'm on my own at 99% of competitions. I've done stuff with him I'd never have even thought about on another horse (i.e. my other one!) just because he's so manageable. His only fault is he's not great with big vehicles coming towards him on a narrow lane, but we either hide behind another horse or if we're on our own, turn around so it's coming from behind him!

 

[JillA]

Mine has improved with attention to his feet (changed his foot care completely so his now more comfortable) and topping up his selenium levels (after a blood test). Some horses seem to be gung ho about whatever ails them and some just are more sensitive - mine is the latter. He is an itcher, has pigeon toes and can't cope with the concussion on the roads, so it was always a case of eliminating stuff and finding more things - we have even spent a FORTUNE on a Schleese saddle (minor improvement but still by no means a horse that "takes" me). It sounds counterintuitive but he has just started a course of Cool Calm and Collected from Equifeast to see if that changes his focus and attention.
Some may be discomfort (how about a bute trial to rule out pain?) some might be memory of discomfort and as above, some might be lack of motivation. It's an interesting journey and might or might not transform him.

 

[milliepops]

I've got one who is a bit like this. She's older, but very very green - rides like a late started 4 or 5 year old. We also had some problems with planting and switching off, and then when she could be convinced to go, she went at slug speed. as she was moving her feet rather than planting, I accepted that as progress and left her to it.

Since then, we've done a LOT of hacking, some at her speed, some in company with my other horse who she is besotted with (so wants to keep up), some in a big group (more exciting) and all of this has helped. Now, we might have a short distance at the start of a hack where she is unsure or underconfident, then she takes a deep breath and marches off. i think it was a combination of being frightened, nappy and generally getting herself in a state - though to an onlooker she just looked stubborn. It's taken a while to get to understand her. But now, once she's started breathing (!) I can encourage her to walk out and she's generally more motivated.

Are you sure he's confident out & about, and have you got company he enjoys going out with?

 

[pennyturner]

Lol. I have a 4yo stallion with the manners and demeanor of an elderly seaside donkey. He is being hacked out by a 9 year old girl atm, and is happy at all paces, goes off the leg, and all that... but defaults to stop if he's not quite sure what he should be doing, and doesn't pull forward at all.

I fully expect him to perk up a bit over the next couple of years, but he'll probably always be steady. I figure I could sell him to a novice as a gelding, and they probably wouldn't notice for years!!

 

[B&J]

I don't have an constructive advice but have to say OP he sounds like my dream horse!!! :-D

 

[Stormynight]

I've got one who is a bit like this. She's older, but very very green - rides like a late started 4 or 5 year old. We also had some problems with planting and switching off, and then when she could be convinced to go, she went at slug speed. as she was moving her feet rather than planting, I accepted that as progress and left her to it.

Since then, we've done a LOT of hacking, some at her speed, some in company with my other horse who she is besotted with (so wants to keep up), some in a big group (more exciting) and all of this has helped. Now, we might have a short distance at the start of a hack where she is unsure or underconfident, then she takes a deep breath and marches off. i think it was a combination of being frightened, nappy and generally getting herself in a state - though to an onlooker she just looked stubborn. It's taken a while to get to understand her. But now, once she's started breathing (!) I can encourage her to walk out and she's generally more motivated.

Are you sure he's confident out & about, and have you got company he enjoys going out with?

He's not 100% on his confidence, as I say he can be rather spooky and you do sometimes feel him almost back off behind the leg while he's leading. When he's behind another horse, you feel him relax and thus ensues seaside-donkey mode. Spooking pretty much stops, but he doesn't make much of an effort to keep up either (though he is easier to get into trot / canter and maintain). We don't have an awful lot of hackers at our yard so our company is limited, our usual hacking buddy is a relatively forward Arab who can be a bit of a moody mare, he's the type who adores anything equine though. Perhaps we need to find some more exciting company to razz him up a little... it's easier said than done at our yard, mind.

LJR, best way of sharpening up the leg aids? Bute trial may be an idea, he doesn't appear to be in any pain but I could well be wrong.

 

[Stormynight]

I don't have an constructive advice but have to say OP he sounds like my dream horse!!! :-D

Do you know... he'd be the ideal camera-man's horse. Or drum horse. Or something like that. I've never known a horse stand still so well, I've managed to film jumping rounds for friends while still sat on him, in the school, stock still with the other horses cantering and jumping around him

Bless him.

 

[B&J]

Do you know... he'd be the ideal camera-man's horse. Or drum horse. Or something like that. I've never known a horse stand still so well, I've managed to film jumping rounds for friends while still sat on him, in the school, stock still with the other horses cantering and jumping around him

Bless him.

I've just turned pea-green!!!! Honestly he needs to come and live with me, I'm happy to stand still all day long and watch!

 

[milliepops]

LJR, best way of sharpening up the leg aids?

butting in to answer this, but what I've been doing with mine in the school is making a transition every marker, or every other marker. walk trot walk trot halt canter walk trot halt trot etc etc ... she has enjoyed it as it's an easy question for her to get right so she doesn't get upset or worry about it, and she's beginning to anticipate the upward transition.
I also school with jumps, so we do a nice trot, pop the jump, canter off, walk transition, trot etc. Basically don't give her a chance to switch off by doing any one thing for too long. I do the same when hacking when I'm on my own.

eta, would he enjoy a fun ride? Might get him thinking a bit more forward & whizzy

 

[Stormynight]

I've just turned pea-green!!!! Honestly he needs to come and live with me, I'm happy to stand still all day long and watch!

Hehe, he loves to stand and watch. Until he's distracted by something that must be put in his mouth. Obviously

butting in to answer this, but what I've been doing with mine in the school is making a transition every marker, or every other marker. walk trot walk trot halt canter walk trot halt trot etc etc ... she has enjoyed it as it's an easy question for her to get right so she doesn't get upset or worry about it, and she's beginning to anticipate the upward transition.
I also school with jumps, so we do a nice trot, pop the jump, canter off, walk transition, trot etc. Basically don't give her a chance to switch off by doing any one thing for too long. I do the same when hacking when I'm on my own.

eta, would he enjoy a fun ride? Might get him thinking a bit more forward & whizzy

Thanks for that - have you seen much of a difference in her? I think he probably would enjoy a fun ride, it's just the case of finding some company that would go with us. Easier said than done, but I'll start working on them

 

[fattylumpkin]

Don't have anything technical to add, just wanted to say to OP that there can be hope sometimes! 2 years ago when I started riding my mare she was a major plod, barely reacted at anything, had to be begged to trot. We got along just fine at our shuffling pace since my confidence wasn't tip top and she was extremely overweight. 2 years on, a new diet and a big weightloss later and I barely recognise my horse. I had to swap her to a pelham for hacking because she was so forward going I had no brakes left, and nowadays she takes the corners of the school arena bent over at a 45 degree angle until I can calm her down! She's very energetic now and extremely lively. I actually like it a lot, but it's harder work since I don't get to be a passenger with sloppy reins nowadays.

 

[Stormynight]

Don't have anything technical to add, just wanted to say to OP that there can be hope sometimes! 2 years ago when I started riding my mare she was a major plod, barely reacted at anything, had to be begged to trot. We got along just fine at our shuffling pace since my confidence wasn't tip top and she was extremely overweight. 2 years on, a new diet and a big weightloss later and I barely recognise my horse. I had to swap her to a pelham for hacking because she was so forward going I had no brakes left, and nowadays she takes the corners of the school arena bent over at a 45 degree angle until I can calm her down! She's very energetic now and extremely lively. I actually like it a lot, but it's harder work since I don't get to be a passenger with sloppy reins nowadays.

Curiosity, what did you change her diet to?

This was only taken yesterday, to give an idea of his weight...

 

[hollyandivy123]

very similar build to mine, i found that with a shoulder as big as his that this was impinging on the forward movement when using a treed saddle. i moved to a good quality treeless saddle and we found a more forward gear. if he lunges have a look at his movement with and with out a rider/saddle, rake a section of your school and walk and trot over this. if you measure the strides you might see a difference in length.

mine still has two gears both chilled and switched on gears, but will work up well to elementary dressage moves if she knows you mean it!

 

[Stormynight]

very similar build to mine, i found that with a shoulder as big as his that this was impinging on the forward movement when using a treed saddle. i moved to a good quality treeless saddle and we found a more forward gear. if he lunges have a look at his movement with and with out a rider/saddle, rake a section of your school and walk and trot over this. if you measure the strides you might see a difference in length.

mine still has two gears both chilled and switched on gears, but will work up well to elementary dressage moves if she knows you mean it!

He's in a Solution saddle, so no shoulder blocking He was very funny about being mounted and such when he arrived due to an ill-fitting saddle, he's much happier in the Solution. Higher gear... is that purely from the change of saddle and riding more strongly?

Thanks for the help, all - this is my first "ploddy" sort!!

 

[Mrs G]

Interesting thread - my horse as a 4/5 yr old I could do anything with and always felt completely safe. Then we hit 6/7 and 'the dragon within' showed up and channelling this energy in the right way got a whole lot trickier (and more painful!). He's 8yrs now and he's more or less settled, his default mode is still donkey but I now know what hes capable of so have to consider when/how and if to rouse his inner dragon. Your horse could still change and develop just with time/schooling etc, but in the meantime I would second the ideas of taking your horse on a beach ride/ gallops/hunting to see if doing something exciting helps you (and him) find those extra gears and get him to really open up. If it works, so much the better, if not, then as others have said, maybe you have one of those saintly, bomb proof horses that people would kill for!

 

[milliepops]

Interesting thread, I would second the ideas of taking your horse on a beach ride/ gallops/hunting to see if doing something exciting helps you (and him) find those extra gears and get him to really open up. If it works, so much the better, if not, then as others have said, maybe you have one of those saintly, bomb proof horses that people would kill for!

haha, yes, I'd say them's your options :lol: I had planned to take mine hunting to see if she thought that would be fun, but she wasn't fit early enough for the meets I could hack to. Do you have transport, OP? Perhaps there would be other people local to you that you could box to for exciting things? Perhaps via your local FB horsey groups? That's what I would try if I had a box of my own.

 

[fattylumpkin]

Curiosity, what did you change her diet to?

This was only taken yesterday, to give an idea of his weight...

Lovely lovely boy!!!

We had a big changed when I switched yards and the hay I was giving her. New YO makes her own hay and had some nice stuff from midsummer with a high protein value, which went against my instincts as previously she'd been getting poor quality hay because of her weight, but when I swapped to new YO's nice hay she started dropping kilos nicely?? Maybe someone can explain that mystery to me! Feed wise she gets 2kg lucerne pellets that have added minerals - we were using Simple System feeds and really liked them, but I switched to a swedish company called Krafft in January and their pellets seem to be going down really well too. I add linseed oil and she has a fortified salt lick in her stable.

I have the hay analysis still in case that helps - for every kg it was 83% fiber, 69g crude protein (39g digestible protein), 8,4MJ energy, plus the normal minerals.