What to do with a lazy pony?

[bex1984]

Sometimes Murphy can be soooooo lazy, and I have to admit I find it really disheartening and frustrating.

We had a major disagreement last night because he kept dropping out of canter, and I kept having to get after him (I had decided to try riding without spurs

), and in the end he'd had enough and put in a little buck, which he only ever does when he thinks I'm being unfair, which made me feel very guilty

I'm not sure if his feed isn't right and therefore he's lacking energy?

Or maybe he's just bored of being ridden in the school? Which makes me feel awful, as I want him to be having fun, but he needs the exercise and i have no other option now it's winter

I'm taking him to the gallops this weekend so hopefully that will cheer him up, but I feel a bit down about it today

Any ideas/suggestions for how to deal with his lazyness? I want him to be a happy pony and I'm not convinced he is at the moment

Maybe I just need kicking up the a*se and being told to get on with it, maybe yesterday was just a bad day

 

[Damnation]

What feed is he on? How much turnout does he get?

 

[ester]

I suspect he will have plenty of energy on the gallops

I think you may beed a kick up backside and put your spurs back on!!

Frank went to beach and hills over weekend and walked out for england- for 2.5 hours up the hills. Hacked out this morning and was like walking through treacle again

much improved after some puddle jumping.

Tell him tough he has to get on with it or you will have to cut his rations down to zero to compensate, that might help. I am always telling frank to think of the calories burnt and hence the more he can eat

 

[lexiedhb]

Boris was just the same..... I know we like to think of our ponies of having fun, but really you getting after him and making him work properly ISNT a bad thing........ B is now on oats, which do help.....

 

[ester]

just want to add the fact that frank has plenty of energy away from home is why I dont feed him oats and alike. He isnt truly lacking energy just unwilling to use it

 

[bex1984]

ester, I agree, he is not going to struggle for energy on the gallops...which just makes me think he's bored, but then I feel guilty because he loves to go on long hacks, canter through fields etc, and I can hardly do that at all in winter

Damnation - he is on happy hoof, staypower competition cubes, vits and mins, and is turned out from 6:30am til 3:30pm (ish). I'm in the process of gradually changing his feed to another brand as I won loads in a competition!!

 

[Damnation]

Sounds like he just needs a kick up the bum

Since hacking is limited at this time of year, try to vary what you do in the school, don't do the same thing 2 days in a row.
One day jump him, the next day do poles, the next day school him, the day after lunge him etc

 

[melonmouse]

You can't feel guilty if you have to tell him off - it may be that he's sensing this and can get out of doing work because he thinks you wont make him. I had a very lazy TB(!) and had to take schooling right back to basics. They have to respond to your leg when asked nicely, and when they don't it should be backed up with a quick flick of a schooling whip behind the leg. Once he goes forward, try not to nag/kick/squeeze every stride. I'm not sure if you do this but when I was I found as soon as my leg came off, they stopped - not enjoyable! lol. Instead praise for going forward and keep a steady leg contact. If he drops down a gear again, ask him with a big squeeze with your heel and if he still doesnt repond, back up with schooling whip again. It may take a week or two for him to get the idea but just keep trying and you will find he becomes much more responsive

 

[bex1984]

thanks melonmouse, I do as you say and don't nag, I ask once, then back up with the whip, and if he drops down a pace without being asked he gets a boot. a growl and a smack. He gets praise if he keeps going forward nicely.
Unfotunately when he is in a lazy mood (like last night) he couldn't care less if I use my whip on him, he just ignores it. He can be perfectly responsive when he wants to be...he just doesn't want to be!!

 

[StarFell]

You could always send him to me, and I'll paint a blaze on my loopy 100-miles-an-hour pony and send him to you, you won't really be able to tell the difference, it'll just be like a speedy Murph

 

[Tickles]

Agree with Damnation about variety. Free schooling (inc over jumps) is another fun thing. Unsuitable Chestnut Arab loves it - will speed up and move out to sneak in another circle or two when asked to walk. Very cute when he takes a detour to include a mounting block or something else random in the course of jumps!

It is also a nice way of getting cold winter muscles warmed up before you hop on him.

(Come to think of it... I think I remember you posting that you didn't like jumping too much a while back? If not then this can also be a way of avoiding you having to do it/seeing that he will do it safely to give you confidence.)

 

[ester]

tell him (nicely) that sometimes we all have to do things we dont want to do and would prefer to be doing something else

 

[Witchy]

YEY! it's not just Joe then!

He is one right lazy-arse git at the moment. These last weeks to be honest I've just got so fed up with feeling guilty for having to be hard on him and for him not doing as his told that I've just not been riding.

He hates the school and I don't really blame him. I've bought myself that 101 schooling exercises book that somebody on here recommended on another post - its really good inspiration but then I look at Joe and feel sorry for him, go on then Joe just get in ya nice warm stable and bed and eat ya hay.......

Not good, not good - Vix n' Joe MUST work harder LOL

 

[Kat]

Once you are sure that he is being fed enough energy and doesn't have anything physical preventing him from wanting to work then there are a few things you can do.

Getting him onto the gallops is a good idea as would be a bit of hunting or other fast work.

Try to make your schooling varied and fun and keep his interest. Have some lessons to help with this, try running through some dressage tests (pick ones a level up from what you would normally do to challenge you), try riding to music, try a "handy pony" course, do some jumping or pole work, try schooling with someone else etc.

Be strict about not using your legs all the time. Take off your spurs, when you ask for a transition ask once normally if he doesn't respond then give him a good kick, then don't use your legs again. If he starts to slow or drop behind the leg flick him with a dressage whip. Do the same in all paces and concentrate on only using your leg aid when you want a change of pace. Aim to have him basically keep on at the same speed until you tell him otherwise.

It won't be an amazing fix all but should help get him more responsive. Do it all the time and insist that he works forward.

 

[spotty_pony]

It sounds like he may be bored rather than lacking in energy.

I do think it is a good idea to look at his diet though first to make sure he is getting a correct, balanced diet for his size, type and workload. Some ideas to liven up his ridden work are:
- Include pole work: trotting poles, raised trotting poles, canter poles, poles to ride around, poles on a circle in a fan shape and a maze of pole to steer in and out of.
- Make sure you are including plenty of transitions and changes of rein to keep him interested.
- Have a bit of fun and ride with a friend if you can. Me and my friends ride to music, make up drill rides and set up gymkhana lanes and have races sometimes - the ponies love it!

- Set up a couple of jumps and have a pop round.

- You could also try lungeing and long reining him for something different to do.
- Book a lesson to help you to work out what you and Murphy need to work towards.
- And if possible, take him hunting or on a group hack as this livens up even the laziest of ponies!

Hope this helps.