Welcome, Shannon : )

Excellent advice from Prospect : ) December isn't a long time from now and horses, 'specially the younger ones, can be slow to trust, even slower to comprehend. Take your time with him and don't be afraid to maximize the power of friendship : )

You might also try working more closely with him on the ground from a longer lead, teaching him to simply move away from you. Move the front end individually from the hind quarters and work from both sides, in both directions. Be specific and consistent in your aids. Then go back to the longeline and apply the same body language (basic "herding").

Lazy....could it be that the draft philosophy runs deep in your boy? Meaning, that he is thinking, and moving, in slow motion, unless inspired : )

Have fun with him, he looks like such a love!

-- Edited by justice on Sunday 30th of January 2011 07:36:36 PM

-- Edited by justice on Sunday 30th of January 2011 07:37:38 PM

Why don't you ask your horse what name he wants?  If you get no response then suggest a few you like and ask him his favorite.  I have done this, and the horse started resonding to his new name just about right away.

I have found that doing an obstacle course helps in developing responsiveness to the lead rope or rein.  I just walk around the jumps in the ring, or just find some stuff lying around or go around some cars.  On the big guys it really helps in turning if you give your aid 1) when turning the horse toward you give the aid when the inside foot is in the air, and 2) when moving the horse away from you give your signal when the outside foot is in the air.  The horse cannot brace against you easily when you time your aids to their leg movements.

When I look at the picture I think hill work.  His hindquarters look like they need to develop muscle.  I know it is winter, but look around for the best hill (or on flat land the place with the longest rise) and start walking him up and down hill when the weather permits.  Start off slow, after a week or so then ask him to move a little faster.  It may take a month or two of regular work before he is ready to give you a good impulsive trot uphill.

It can take a while for some of the young ones to develop their muscles and their lung power.  Slow steady work now can pay off in the long run.  Have fun!

Congrats on your new horse! I too just bought a new horse. He's a young stallion (just turned 5 years) with a very gentle and calm temperament. People often look below to make sure he isn't actually a gelding because he is so calm. At first I had problems thinking he was too lazy. After speaking with my trainer though, we realized that he wasn't lazy but was in fact tired. He lacked conditioning. I bought him from a man who left him tied to a tree 24 hours a day. Needless to say he didn't get any exercise.

He grew tired after the first 10 or 15 minutes of exercise. So we have put him on a conditioning exercise and he is adjusting quickly. He is able to work for longer periods of time now. Have you tried conditioning your horse?