What to do/feed a lazy horse? Advice please

Jeska

Jeska

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I have a 14.3 Connemara gelding who Iv had for 6 years. Hes never been the most forward going but just recently hes become sooo lazy!

He use to love jumping and would fly round the course, now I struggle to keep him in a forward canter and have to tap him with the whip before every fence to make him pick his feet up.

Just the other day out hacking he was walking unbelievably slow and no matter how hard I kicked or smacked he didnt go any faster. Iv tried bringing my leg down really hard to get him to jump forward and lots of transitions but it didnt make a difference.

At the minute hes out on grass 24/7 and gets fed a low calorie balancer. Is there anything else I can give him to give him more energy?

I have some shows and a one day event coming up and I want to give him the energy to get round. Is there any energy shots or anything I can give him?

Thanks in advance
 
hi

could it be something simple like his saddle not fitting? I know you said he used to love jumping ect but f saddle hurting he might not want to. it is normal to have a reluctant to go forward with a saddle which might be not quite right
Has he been checked in other ways?
sorry i havent given food advice but just a different angle
 
He was weighed not long ago and had condition score of 6 and she said he was perfect weight for his type. Hes also very fit as gets ridden 6 times a week and does alot of hill work.

His saddle is fine and his back/teeth ect. I know its not a pain thing as hes a big baby when it comes to pain and always lets me know
 
I as you have done all the checks and he is fit, not over weight and it is still a problem I think I would be getting my vet to check him out. it could be an airway problem or something like a myopathy of some sort
 
Maybe have the vet to give him a once over, could have a virus that's is not displaying any obvious symptoms so a blood test maybe required.
 
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