Tb schooling help

[Ginger Bear]

I've had my tb 4 years in oct. When I first got him he would rush around very fast in the school, overbent, hanging on the reins, any bit of leg meant speed, pretty much charging around like a steam train. He had an operation for ringbone 5 months after I got him, 7 months box rest, more time slowly bringing him back inTo work. Got an instructor, took him back to basics, even back to walking lessons to begin with, still could be a bit speedy & stressy in the school, could be silly cantering... Little by little he has got better & better & Now here's where I need the help (& of course I will be also discussing with my instructor); So now he's very tuned In to my rein & seat but is so chilled in the school that he's sort of lolloping along in the trot not really going forward & think I'm doing more work than he is. He's responsive to leg aids & seat when asking him to change rein, canter, will halt & bend without hardly any rein. It's like I have desensitised him so much in the school that he's turned lazy, I put a little pair if blunt spurs on tonight, made hardly any difference, used a schooling whip (he used to be petrified of whips when I got him) made a bit of difference but not a lot. Starting to think I need to make it more interesting for him? Maybe he's bored? He's still up for hacking if course & it is nice that he's calm in the school but I need some oomph to liven him up, any ideas appreciated.

 

[Girlracer]

I have the laziest thoroughbred in the whole world, i can really see why he was no good on the track.

I find with him i have to keep him interested and sharp, as soon as i get in the school we are doing constant changes of rein, circles (10m circle on each corner is a good one), turns on the forehand, leg yield and transitions. If i don't get an immediate reaction to my leg he gets a sharp kick and sent forward, he got the idea pretty quickly and it woke him up.

Some days he still starts off toddling round like a riding school pony, but after 10 minutes of the above he starts to sharpen up and realise it's easier just to do as he's told. Also walk-canter, canter-halt and similar. And even just changing speed within a gait. And perhaps some pole work?

Good luck!

 

[Ginger Bear]

It's nice in a way because he's calm & chilled like he's never been before but now too laid back! I'm now actually looking forward to winter as he usually changes to a different horse come winter! Lol. I think I'm going to try some pole work at the weekend. Thanks for your response.

 

[madmav]

Maybe put a few unusual things in the arena? Cones, rugs, plastic sheeting, to keep him guessing and on his toes.