horse refuses to lope. Help!

Courtney1291 · 07-20-2006, 07:55 PM

I have a 7 yr old qh mare. she was used as a cutting horse. i was thinking of showing her but shes lazy. she wouldnt even respond to spurs or a crop. she knows her leads and shes very fast. she just gets really lazy under saddle. any idea how i can get her to respond under saddle? i really need help. i want to be able to show her next year.

Shotgun93 · 07-20-2006, 08:44 PM

Do you have a trainer to help you?

ridingthebreeze · 07-20-2006, 09:38 PM

are you loping her in circles or in a round pen?..or just trying to get her to lope...

docstar · 07-21-2006, 06:01 AM

Ground work, ground work, ground work! Your horse should do everything on the ground that you want it to do under saddle. The best way to install a work ethic is to start it from the ground. Don't pick a fight about it under saddle. You won't win!

faroutfax · 07-21-2006, 06:07 AM

Is it possible that something is bothering her. Poor saddle fit, weird bit, or even flys?

ridingthebreeze · 07-21-2006, 10:44 AM

I agree with Docstar ground work is the key to everything!

Goonhorse · 07-22-2006, 09:56 AM

As faroutfax said, you should probably check your saddle and other tack to be sure it's nothing like that, and also ruling out a physical problem.

If it's neither of those, use the Squeeze, Cluck, Spank method. While she's trotting, squeeze with your lower legs (without spurs), if she fails to pick up the canter, cluck to her. If that doesn't help, smack her on the butt with a crop until she canters, and then stop smacking her immediately. Don't be afraid to smack her pretty hard--you already gave her two chances to obey you, and she didn't listen, so be very clear cut.

ChaseroftheCans · 07-22-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Courtney1291

I have a 7 yr old qh mare. she was used as a cutting horse. i was thinking of showing her but shes lazy. she wouldnt even respond to spurs or a crop. she knows her leads and shes very fast. she just gets really lazy under saddle. any idea how i can get her to respond under saddle? i really need help. i want to be able to show her next year.

Have you tried using vocal cues? My filly was previously trained for cutting, and she too is very lazy. She didn't really listen to spurs or a crop much, and I used a kissing sound. She woke up then, and I still use a kissing sound to get her moving (she is now a barrel horse).

Some of them are trained vocally, since the leg cues often times say which direction to go and how much. Try the vocals and see how she is!

Also, like the others said, rule out pain and she may need to be worked from the ground if she is being disrespectful. Good luck!

Buckshot · 07-22-2006, 05:42 PM

Check your saddle and bit. Maybe she doesn't work well with them. Lunge her into a lope on the ground and get her used to verbal cues. Good luck.

07-20-2006, 07:55 PM	#1
Courtney1291 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 289 Images: 41	horse refuses to lope. Help! I have a 7 yr old qh mare. she was used as a cutting horse. i was thinking of showing her but shes lazy. she wouldnt even respond to spurs or a crop. she knows her leads and shes very fast. she just gets really lazy under saddle. any idea how i can get her to respond under saddle? i really need help. i want to be able to show her next year. __________________ IlovemyZeusandEbony

07-20-2006, 08:44 PM	#2
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,836 Images: 132	Do you have a trainer to help you? __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

07-20-2006, 09:38 PM	#3
ridingthebreeze Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 744 Images: 2	are you loping her in circles or in a round pen?..or just trying to get her to lope... __________________ Ride like the wind, and dont ever look back.

07-21-2006, 06:07 AM	#5
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,964 Images: 448 Blog Entries: 16	Is it possible that something is bothering her. Poor saddle fit, weird bit, or even flys? __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter I've Been Snowballed

07-21-2006, 10:44 AM	#6
ridingthebreeze Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 744 Images: 2	I agree with Docstar ground work is the key to everything! __________________ Ride like the wind, and dont ever look back.

07-21-2006, 06:01 AM	#4
docstar Full Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: IL Posts: 60 Images: 3	Ground work, ground work, ground work! Your horse should do everything on the ground that you want it to do under saddle. The best way to install a work ethic is to start it from the ground. Don't pick a fight about it under saddle. You won't win!

07-22-2006, 09:56 AM	#7
Goonhorse Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,895 Images: 262 Blog Entries: 152	As faroutfax said, you should probably check your saddle and other tack to be sure it's nothing like that, and also ruling out a physical problem. If it's neither of those, use the Squeeze, Cluck, Spank method. While she's trotting, squeeze with your lower legs (without spurs), if she fails to pick up the canter, cluck to her. If that doesn't help, smack her on the butt with a crop until she canters, and then stop smacking her immediately. Don't be afraid to smack her pretty hard--you already gave her two chances to obey you, and she didn't listen, so be very clear cut. __________________ "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise: Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." -Psalm 100:4

07-22-2006, 05:42 PM	#9
Buckshot Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michiana Posts: 5,600 Images: 26 Blog Entries: 19	Check your saddle and bit. Maybe she doesn't work well with them. Lunge her into a lope on the ground and get her used to verbal cues. Good luck. __________________ HGS's official Birdbrain I've been Snowballed! X10

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