How can you get a lazy horse to move without using the whip?

[Daniela]

Hi,

I've just started sharing a 5 year old cob at the stables where I take riding lessons. She has a gentle nature which is why I chose her as I need to build up my confidence around horses on the ground. The only problem is whilst riding her I cannot get her to be active or forward going in any of the gaits without using the whip, I don't like using the whip on her, it makes me feel guilty as I am not that way inclined. Also she often naps towards other horses and as she is quite strong I cannot seem to stop her doing this.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any replies. :)

[horsemad]

Well I'm not saying this will work for every horse, but I've found that when my horse is in one of her lazy moods (which happens quite often!) she will respond to me 'growling' or shouting at her. I'd prefer not to have to raise my voice of course, but it does seem to 'wake her up' a bit!

[Busterbum22]

not saying this will work either, but i have done this with mine.

while walking round the arena, hold your reins as near to the buckle as you can, and have your legs ready, all you do is as though your shaking out a towel or sheet shake your reins forward at the same time (cowboy style now) flap your legs against the saddle, do not kick them on you shouldn't need to and make funny noises loudish (not shouting). the horse or pony will wonder what the hell is going on behind and will set off at a trot be ready to regain your seat and reins really fast, so you can keep them going.

It is easier to see this than type it out, but it does work for mine.

[Nickie]

If Bren is being lazy I end up making a shhh noise at him - he hates it!! :D

Normally one fairly hard use of the whip is enough to wake him up so I don't need it again. I used to feel guilty about using the whip - but I think he'd rather one hard whip than loads of little annoying taps!

If your pony is dead to leg aids try one quick and fairly hard tap by each leg - one after the other in the space of about a second or two - that works wonders with Bren.

I've been sharing him a year next week - in that time he's been on a diet, got fitter, started jumping again, we're having our first go at some dressage moves (or the basics they work on) and we've only just (I'd say) got our act together!!

If you've just started sharing remember - your mare will try you out - and push her limits - sometimes being silly sometimes being lazy - as you get to know your horse - you'll soon work out how to deal with her.

All the best!

[LindaAd]

Don't feel bad about using the whip - better call it a stick or a crop, and it doesn't sound as if you're beating the horse up, or hurting it. It's just another aid, like your legs or your hands. Sometimes it's enough just to hit your own boot and make a scary noise.

Also, try waking her up by riding lots of transitions - walk-halt-walk-trot-walk-trot etc.

I've read how the clicker-training people get horses to go forward by putting treats on posts round the school, but I can't see how that would work...

[Daniela]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I will try each and everyone out and let you know how I get on.

LindaAd you're right about calling it a stick or a crop, it sounds a lot less harsh.

Nickie where abouts in London are you from?

Thanks again,
Daniela :)

[Nickie]

A stones throw from Junction 26 of the M 25 - near Waltham Abbey (Chingford to be more exact but no one ever knows where it is!!) :D

Nicola

[virtuallyhorses]

Try very quick, sharp leg aids (not harsh booting just very quick, urgent legs) which increase until the horse moves forward - accept ANY forward movement with praise, whether its a walk, a step or a canter and remember to cease the leg aid as soon as there is any movement.

The key is to immediately stop asking when you get any forward movement (even a slow step). If she's moving, albeit at her own pace, and still getting 'pushed' forward she'll resign herself to getting 'pushed' no matter what she does. So it sounds like you need to retrain her that responding to the leg aids is right and 'pleasant'.

Once she's responding to the initial aids reliably then you should be able to use it once she's going to ask for more impulsion, but make sure there's a clear relationship between leg\whip - reponse - reward.

Also make sure you aren't restraining with your hands, or 'punishing' her for going forward by being caught off balance and jagging her in the mouth. I'd have the reins at the buckle when you start these exercises - if you need help keeping your balance - put a stirrup leather around her neck or tuck a hand under the pommel of your saddle.


Also try some canter transitions to wake her up. Try some walk canter transitions after you've had a few trot canter. Don't worry too much if you have to use the whip at first, but cease with whip and legs as soon as you go forward you should be able to decrease (or cease use of the whip) aids when she gets the idea that there is a reward for going forward.

Ignore the 'napping' problem for the moment - 1 thing at a time, sounds like she's a top mare and is probably just letting them know it, but you want to work on your control and aids first :)

[lamprellsarah]

i do lots of walk to trot transitons doing couple of strides of walk then a few of trot then a few strides of walk, then i do a tiny bit of canter, then hop over a pole then go back into trot, just lots of changes i find good!!!

i growl at chancer it works!!!

[ros]

As Viv says, any forward movement, however small, should be rewarded - and make sure you're allowing her to move forwards by not blocking her with your seat; swing along with her.

Sometimes a horse under a new rider will simply not feel safe. It's as though they say "why should I go where you say - I don't trust you!" Just insist quietly, and reward immediately you get the right response. Quiet insistance isn't the same thing as allowing "naughty" behaviour, so don't let yourself get rattled. Learining to trust a new rider can take time.

[KarlR]

Transitions are my favourite! It's surprising how much more responsive a horse will become when they really have to listen.

That said, I'd still use the whip or a sharp kick if they ignored a lesser aid: it might seem harsh, but it's much more cruel to let a horse become unresponsive and then have to kick it to move iot at all. The key is to only use the whip when they ignore a firm leg aid...one chance to move forward; then the same aid applied together with a tap behind the leg.

The fact that you are a little nervous makes it more difficult because you are trying to avoid over-exciting her. Is there perhaps somewhere that you can exercise her that is both safe and away from horsey distractions...?

[Cathy Reynolds]

Try getting someone to lunge you, with a lunge whip. Then arrange for them to crack the whip behind as a transition is requested. Works wonders!

[Waikato Valuta]

If you use a whip corectly now you can reschool her and not have to use it later.

Give her a squeze with your legs and ride her forward and if she dose not respond then give her a little tap with the whip and the leg. Dont kick and try to keep your body in harmony with her. If every time she trots you lose your seat and flop around she will not want to trot because it will be uncomfortable. Only use the whip she dose not respond to the leg aid and soon you will not have to use it any more.

I also strongly adgree with transitions. they are great with lazt horses. realy get them thinking.

[Daniela]

Thanks everyone for all the great replies. I will continue trying everything suggested.

KarlR - I don't have anywhere to ride her other than the school, which is usually full of other people exercising their horses, but I will perservere(sp?)

Thanks again everyone :)

[Kittywan]

rahh aint posted for barree long!
*** i seem to do is. tighten by reinz, sit deep, give a few nudges, if she still doesnt respond, i give one or two sharp kickz, btw i dont wear spurs! while doing it i make clicky sounds, going click click with my mouth, clicking faster so she moves with my clickz!! it sometimes work! worth a quick try n e way!