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lazy lazy horse!

3K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  WSArabians 
#1 ·
here is some background. Ben is my 8 year old TB who I got in november. this summer Ben has become very lazy. He is not very willing to trot forward, and he gets even slower when I ask him to bend into the bridle. Yes we have had some hot days (around the 80s) but even today it was a lot cooler and he was still lazy. I have tried lots of different things-doing more circles and figure eights, leg yields, stuff to get him into it, I have also used my seat a lot. Recently I have just been using a crop. If I just pick it up and hold it while riding he moves forward much much better. The thing is I dont want him to become whip dependant.. any sugguestions??
 
#3 ·
he was getting alfalfa 3 times a day earlier this month (he was still lazy !!) and grain (just enough to mix with his supplements) and now he is getting timothy grass mix and his grain with supplements. He was put on the grass Sunday, so I dont think it is the diet... plus I cant really fix his diet because I board
 
#4 ·
I think you're right not wanting to let Ben get whip dependent. What I would do is practice getting him to move of the leg as responsively as you can while you are carrying the whip so he gets used to moving of on slight pressure. Then start doing the first half of your ride with a whip then gradually stop using it towards the end. After a while he may get used to just moving of that he forgets about the whip. If he is not being responsive demand that he is, with a tap from a whip or whatever you chose to do. Continuse kicking or heavy use from the legs often makes the situation worse as they just grow used to it.

Good luck! :D
 
#6 ·
I ride a very lazy draft mare. Because she is not mine I cannot change her diet, since that is the main problem concerning her energy but I think I may have something to help.

My trainer taught me a ask, tell, demand, kind of training.
First you ask: maybe a squeeze and a kiss
Then you tell: A kick
Then you demand: Make it happen and back it up with a whip.
The problem is if you keep asking and asking they are going to get irritated but if you demand every time then they are going to become dependent or just angry and irritated.
What I would suggest is ask, tell, demand, and once you find a forward trot, let him walk. Then he will see that if he does what you ask he will be rewarded with not having to work as hard. Its going to take a lot of work but you should really try making lots of transitions. Walk, trot, walk, trot. But every time he gives you a good trot, let him walk.
Good Luck!!
 
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