There are a number of things that, when we speak about working with our horses, can feel almost impossible for some riders. This is especially true if your horse is very ‘laid-back’ or ‘lazy’. Other riders are working on channeling energy, etc. and you feel like if you could just ignite a little enthusiasm in your horse, it would be a win!
It’s always worth remembering that all horses are different. And some will be naturally less enthusiastic than others. However, this does not have to mean that you must give up your hopes and dreams of ever having a willing partner. But you may need to begin varying your approach or moving the goalposts a little when it comes to your expectations and desired outcomes.
Deciding how to proceed forward with a horse who does not seem to have as much enthusiasm or interest will require you to answer this question first:- Is my horse naturally laid back or is he simply ignoring me and being unresponsive?
Today, I want to help you begin to decide which of these two is true for your horse – especially if it feels like both of you are going nowhere slowly!
Laid-back and Unresponsive Are NOT the Same
It is important to recognize that being laid back is not the same as being unresponsive. Yes, you absolutely do get laid-back horses who are also unresponsive. However, they are different things and, therefore, should be worked on separately. The key is to figure out which your horse is first and foremost…
Laid-back is your horse’s natural way of being. He’s chilled, and relaxed, and doesn’t let much bother him in almost everything he does. Being unresponsive is a learned behaviour. They are very different!
And because lack of responsiveness is learned, it can be changed. It is not your horse’s ‘natural’ way of being. Rather a mechanism he has developed to cope or deal with something. Whereas being ‘laid back’ is more about your horse’s personality. This, in my opinion, should rather be worked ‘with’. It’s your responsibility to work with your horse’s strengths to help him in his training and riding.
But more on that later. Let’s first look at ways you can distinguish between the two…
Ways To Evaluate for Laid-Back Vs Unresponsive
Your Horse’s Energy Needs
Naturally Laid-Back: Your horse will remain calm, relaxed, and easygoing in almost all situations. Especially when asked for ‘more’ when working. He will usually always respond to you, but just a tad slower and less ‘keen’ than other horses.
Lacking Responsiveness: If your horse lacks responsiveness, he will often feel ‘stuck in the mud’ and unmotivated. You’ll find yourself having to reapply aids over and over again to initiate any sort of response. This will be all through the ride or session. Remember, a tired horse can also seem ‘unresponsive’ 20 or 30 minutes into a training session. This is not that. The lack of enthusiasm will be consistent throughout.
Test Your Aids and The Response
Naturally Laid-Back: When you ask a question using an aid, say leg or seat, if your horse is naturally laid-back he will respond. It’s just a slower response than you may want. You’re not being ignored. It’s more like it takes him a second or two to compute what you’re saying and then take action on it.
Lacking Responsiveness: If your horse is ignoring you, he will continue to do so! Or it might take much stronger aids from you, think of more pressure or use of artificial aids, to achieve the results you want. Again, this is usually a training issue. But it can also signal discomfort or a lack of enthusiasm for the job.
Groundwork Versus Riding
Naturally Laid-Back: Even when on the ground, your horse might be a little slower to ‘move’, but is usually responsive and cooperative. You can see that being ‘relaxed’ or ‘chilled’ is the general way of being, whether on the ground or being ridden.
Lacking Responsiveness: If your horse is unresponsive, it will feel like you’re constantly ‘chasing’ or ‘dragging’ him around. He will look sluggish, uncooperative, and possibly even dragging his feet or hesitating with basic commands and aids.
Summing it Up for You
To sum it up, if your horse is naturally laid-back, he will respond – just often a little slower than others. He will keep his cool and remain relaxed most of the time. And he will look to please, albeit often at a slower pace! If your horse is unresponsive, he will ignore you. Often your stronger application of the aids will be met with resistance and maybe even a tantrum!
What’s important to keep in mind is that neither is ‘wrong’ or ‘right’. They simply are. And as a rider, it’s important that you figure out which category your horse falls into and then work with him based on that.
I also want to mention here that, again, unresponsiveness is a learned behaviour. This can be down to a lack of training or understanding, pain and discomfort, or bad riding! The key is ‘learned’; meaning that it can be unlearned. It can be changed. And this will require correct training, consistency, time, and compassion.
Look at the Advantages…
However, maybe you’ve identified that your horse is more naturally ‘laid back’. That no amount of training or retraining in the world is going to turn him into something he’s not… Remember, these types of horses are both great for a lot of reasons AND priceless in certain situations.
When you have a horse who is a little more on the naturally laid-back side, but whom you can trust 100% to be as rock solid and ‘steady’ as they come, you can really focus on your own riding and making small changes to improve it.
Focusing on you is always going to be a little more difficult when riding a horse that is a little over-enthusiastic. Often they will need your attention to help them maintain their balance and energy. So rather than accepting defeat when it comes to your horse, let’s look at reframing both of your mindsets on this topic.
Partnerships Change…
The final point I will add here is that things change all of the time. And if you do figure out that your horse just does not want to be the “Number 1 World Beater” at whatever you want him to be… It’s your responsibility to accept that. Similarly, if you’re horse is more naturally suited to a different discipline, you must accept that.
Horse riding is a team sport… If your horse does not want to participate in some of the activities – you may need to find a new and willing partner who does.
This can sometimes mean that a heartbreaking decision has to be made. Or perhaps you’re in a situation where you can keep your initial ‘naturally laid back horse for activities he likes. And then find a second partner for those other, more ambitious activities.
The important thing is to always consider your horse in the equation… It’s never fun being forced day after day to do something that you don’t like and that does not suit your specific set of talents.
Happy Riding
Lorna
