Help, I think my horse is bored - what to do?

[emma]

My Welsh Cob is 15 years old and as far as I know he has never had any time when he was given a complete holiday from work. He will work OK on the flat but I think it really bores him and he will hack out with me on his own without other horses but I am wondering if a month or so of him being turned out to grass and not worked at all would be of any benefit to him?

Would it give him a renewed interest in his work when he was brought back up?

Have you had any sucess with turning away a horse that was a bit sour?

Thanks for your help.

Emma

[sallym]

Yes, I've done this successfully with my Welsh cob (type) mare, who gets easliy bored with the same surroundings/activities and lets me know it!

You could also try doing some different things with him, like sponsored rides or boxing to a different area to hack out, eg a beach.

Good luck and don't forget you'll need to fitten him up again when he comes back.

Sally

PS Don't expect a postcard though!

[Sarah]

hello!

One way to try to combat your horse's boredom is to try to make your schooling sessions as interesting as possible (for both of you). Try riding lots of transitions and do lots of cirles, rein changes and demi-voltes and things to get him thinking. you could try learning some dressage tests to give you a plan of what to do and really work on the accuracy of your movements. Does he still jump? You could try jumping him bit which working on flatwork - so that he doesn't know when he will do the jump so has to keep listening to you.

I hope that helps and that he enjoyed his holiday!

bye!