Waking up a sluggish and lazy horse

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Crazy_cat_lady

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Lately H has been very sluggish and lazy when schooling or jumping. I took him down the fields hacking the other day and he was fine and almost too strong.

I am going to book the dentist and saddle for when I'm off in May just to check it's not that.

He is very nervy and knobbish to deal with in general so I don't want to give him anything that's going to intensify this but just wondering if there is anything I can givehim/ eexercises I can do to sharpen him up etc?

Was thinking maybe oats but then don't want him to gain weight from them. He is 16 so wonder if he maybe needs something like red cell or global herbs old age or similar?
 
Can't help feed-wise, but as I'm sure a lot will tell you, transitions are the key. 5 strides of walk, 5 strides of trot, stand, back into trot etc etc. Keep your sessions short (15/20 mins) and try to school on a flat piece of land out hacking. My loan boy used to be really really lazy and he's improved so much now since doing the above. Good luck!
 
My boy used to be the same. Still is in the school sometimes. Endurance riding has sorted this out and yes transitions. My OH runs with us, her run = my boys trot....not anymore! We trot 5 walk 10 so as to stay level, it has worked!
 
Do you do a lot of schooling in a menage with him, maybe he is just bored? He sounds like he was enjoying himself more out on a hack so maybe incorporate schooling into a hack, lots of transistions, lateral work etc?
 
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