Really fed up

[shamrock2021]

I have owned my mare for 2 years she is very backwards thinking and is very lazy. I have loads of lessons and have got people to train her but I can barely get her to stay in trot and only get her to canter on side of the arena. I do loads of hacking and jumping thinking she is just bored but there was no improvement . She has been checked out by the vet and they can’t find a problem. Anyone have any suggestions I have arthritis and it makes it very hard on my joints to keep kicking.

 

[mini_b]

Can your trainer get her moving forwards when they ride her?
Is she “lazy” hacking/jumping or just in the arena?
For starters if you are “keeping kicking” that’s the problem. You (with possibly the help of a new instructor) could do with getting her sharper off your leg.

I would ask with a tiny aid to begin with, if ignored, apply more pressure ie a pony club kick, if she moves off your leg then lots of praise and reward,
If the pony club doesn’t work then a sharp tap behind your leg with a stick, again reward reward if she moves forward.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

No kicking....one touch squeeze...then if no response one harder squeeze and then the schooling whips..quick sharp flick. Dont niggle with heels once moving. Practice each transition until your mare understands. Halt to walk..etc Another trick..just to encourage moving forward is to wriggle and be uncomfortable until mare does what you want..ie if halted and won’t walk..wriggle about..shift your weight and the moment she goes to move sit still. She ll get the idea moving forward is comfortable and more rewarding..same walk into trot..hopefully won’t need it trot to canter cos that’s hard to do!

 

[shamrock2021]

Can your trainer get her moving forwards when they ride her?
Is she “lazy” hacking/jumping or just in the arena?

Hacking no because she tends to be on her toes because she is a spooky horse. Jumping can be hit or miss but most of the time she is lazy.

 

[ycbm]

Do a search for PSSM on here and on the internet and see if anything rings bells.

 

[shamrock2021]

No kicking....one touch squeeze...then if no response one harder squeeze and then the schooling whips..quick sharp flick. Dont niggle with heels once moving. Practice each transition until your mare understands. Halt to walk..etc Another trick..just to encourage moving forward is to wriggle and be uncomfortable until mare does what you want..ie if halted and won’t walk..wriggle about..shift your weight and the moment she goes to move sit still. She ll get the idea moving forward is comfortable and more rewarding..same walk into trot..hopefully won’t need it trot to canter cos that’s hard to do!

Thanks For you advice.

 

[shamrock2021]

Do a search for PSSM on here and on the internet and see if anything rings bells.

Thanks I will do.