Young lazy TB

[bay_mare]

Hello,

I'm new to all this so be gentle with me!

OK, I own a 3 year old youngster and have done now for the past year or so. My father bred her from a very good racehorse (he still owns the mother) and has 40 years experience within the racing industry.

He broke her in and rode her away without any problems which we were delighted at and I bourght her, as her mother had excellent paces and you can clearly see she has as well, thinking of a dressage prospect.

Annie, the youngster, is incredibly lazy. In fact she is by far one of the most lazy horses i have experienced, and to be quite honest, im struggling to know what to do with her. I must mention here that the vet has given her a clean bill of health for teeth, back etc and i have had the saddle fitter out to check the saddle, all OK.

She hates being away from the field or her box. She constantly is in search of food. When ridden she has never done anything as much as a buck, and when she doesnt want to do something she justs stops and wont budge. I find this strange as we walk, trot and canter around a field, allowing her to express herself and she just falls out of the gait and stops. I have never found her sweaty or even warm after riding her.

I take her for a walk around the lanes, in fields, in the indoor menage, outdoor menage and lunge her to try to get her excited and motivated in what she's doing, but to no avail. I also keep the sessions short and sharp as shes only young.

I feel a bit silly posting this but i need to get this sorted as soon as possible, i want her to enjoy her work and be happy, yet the only time she is happy is eating.

Many Thanks!

 

[Maesfen]

TBH, I think it might be the work you are asking her to do because TBs aren't ready for it at that age like a warmblood would be and she will still be putting a lot of energy into growing, she hasn't the energy for work as well. I think she needs far more time to naturally mature myself and I would be turning her away until this time next year. My 3 yr old TB filly, although quite well built (not a weed), is so immature, I'm not even thinking of breaking her until next year at the earliest.

 

[Bug2007]

As above really, but generally TB's out of racing stock usually mature faster than other breeds. I have a now just turned four year old TB filly, she was the same all food and nothing else. She didn't like being told what to do. She did however all of a sudden realise she liked working and started to go forwards, now i've the problem of stopping. Just take it slow, do more of what she really likes.

 

[pastie2]

Well, you are lucky!! Its easier to get them motivated than to calm them down. Sounds to me that she is insecure and doesnt want to go forward. I would ride her out with another horse and see if that generates any enthusiasm. Keep at walk and a little trot, dont over face her and ask for canter at this stage.

 

[AmyMay]

It's a baby. Chuck her in the field until the end of the summer, then start work with her. She'll have matured, be more ready for work (physically and mentally) and will be ready for a job.