Ask The Trainer

We have a 2 year old gelding. He looks in good health, very nosey, and playful except under saddle. He will do what I ask for but very slow and lazy takes a lot of spurring. Any ideas?

Some horses when they are started are slow to react. I think that it is a lack of confidence. He is only two, he is not yet mentally or physically mature. If you spur him too much you will teach him not to respond to your leg. I would back off and expect less from him. When he is more comfortable being ridden, he will probably perk up. If he is kicked all the time he will not enjoy being ridden and will only get worse.

He is just a baby. Not all horses are mentally mature enough as two-year-olds to handle much training. If you give him more time to respond to a cue and reward him more he should get the idea. Make it easy to do what you ask. Make it uncomfortable not to do what you ask but do not make it painful.

Will Clinging 2004 (c)

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