Riding a new horse

McNally

McNally

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I have a new horse, after my last disastrous new horse who put me in hospital twice on his trial period! (since been told by owners husband and friends he was absolutely mental ...thanks!!)

anyway back to the point!

I have got another and have ridden him out twice this week. I know the horse slightly in that i rode it a few times years ago but had forgotten how lazy it is!
Would you just let the horse plod round at his own pace for a while, building a relationship and getting to know each and the area/riding etc with no pressure (its a relatively new area for me to keep horses in)
Or, do i get after him and start as we mean to go on?
I dont have high competition hopes i just want a nice horse i can ride wherever whenever which this is.

Opinions please! x
 
Mmm, I didn't know my new horse but have similar problems. He's allowed to plod at his own pace only if I have not asked for anything else ie if i ask for a brisker walk or a trot transition I expect to get it NOW. I really don't want him to get used to nagging legs.
 
When you say lazy what exactly does he do?

Don't let him take the mic out of you but also don't keep pressuring him. When you get on a new horse make friends with him/ her first and then start finding out where the buttons are and pushing for better work or in your case more energy. :)
 
I wouldn't let him plod to start with , if you get behind him a bit now he'll see you as the herd leader of your relationship , when he's done a bit of what you ask , either in the school or a brisk working hack , you can let him relax or plod abit went you're comming to the end of your exercises as a bit of a treat. Depending on wether he fights you to be the one who determinds the pace , you need to be sure that he's built up enough staminer / energy to be able to do more. Better though in IMO to have something that needs a bit of encouragement than one that you are constantly trying to calm and slow down , good luck anyway , look forward to some pics of your newby..
 
Thanks- He is lovely we hacked for ages today. Its so weird to have a horse that can walk in a straight line without spooking or being suspicious of anything and everything!
I've had difficult (but not in the league of trial horse mentioned) for years so its a nice novelty to just enjoy a ride! ;-)

He keeps the same steady pace it just feels a bit stunted- like his handbrake is stuck!
 
I have given up looking after being chucked off the last non bucking horse. So its good to read that you sound like you have found a reliable friend.

If its lazy in walk or reluctant to trot etc ie slows straight back down I would definitely keep it going for longer and get after.

Possibly is the horse really unfit too. ie a project to build up? Ride out with another horse.

Good luck if horse is too slow send my way as sounds like a nice horse. Good luck
 
I'm a start as you mean to go on person too.

My mare can be a right lazy moo and if she thinks she can get away with it, she will. You have to get her attention right from the start otherwise she'll take advantage and plod around.

It will probably make things much harder when you want more.
 
I agree with the others - don't let him plod, but don't nag! Start as you mean to go on and don't let any bad habits get comfy too early on.

I've just started riding my friend's old, incredibly lazy Anglo Arab. I've ridden a few Anglos before and have found them quick thinkers and fairly intelligent - this one is a VERY quick learner and will try it on in almost every way he can. I rode him a few years ago once or twice and I simply wasn't a good enough rider then, and had to nag to get him going - it just didn't work. I've now moved on and learnt a lot, and the first time I sat on him a few weeks ago I had three arguments with him about how he shouldn't be lazy and cheeky and should do as I asked, right then. The second time I had to tell him once, and he's tried it on once again. I rode him tonight and his "go" button is now firmly installed! One little niggle at the start with a "right, then!" and he's away. It makes it SO much easier!

My old mare I used to have to nag as she was so bombproof and really didn't blink if I insisted she moved her large behind - I was nice to her at the start as I had zero confidence, so she spent the next five years taking the mick and it wasn't very nice to nag all the time.

Goo luck with him, by the way :)
 
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