Motivating a Lazy Horse: Ken McNabb Horsemanship

Today, we are talking about MOTIVATION, particularly when it comes to horses who are more reluctant to move. To be motivated, you have to feel that there's a reward at the end, so during this lesson I want to focus on rewarding the horse for forward motion AND a positive attitude about that forward motion.

TOOLS
Spurs, in my opinion, are for specific cues, and I'd rather not use them as a tool to get him to move out. When I want to achieve forward motion and I need an outside tool as a reinforcer, I'd rather "bite him" on the butt with a dressage whip, because that's most similar to what another horse would do. The goal is to only use the dressage whip temporarily and eventually move away from having to use it at all.

GROUNDWORK
I'm going to start on the ground and ask the horse to walk off just with a kissing noise. When he doesn't walk off, I'll give him a spank. Try not to be too picky to begin with. Just reward movement. If he kicks out and shows attitude, I will give a second spank to continue to drive him forward. When the horse understands to move forward without having to use the whip, we are ready to move on to riding.

WORKING ON MOTIVATION UNDER SADDLE
When it comes to lazy horses, I think more people actually have problems with attitude rather than movement. To start changing the attitude, I am going to reward (slow down) when he has good forward motion and ears forward. I am also going to push him to speed up when he decides on his own to slow down. If he kicks out or demonstrates attitude through his body, correct it while keeping him moving. You don't want to reward the behavior by slowing down.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
- It is important to acknowledge that horse can't be motivated if we are not motivated. On a lazy horse, I envision us trying to win the Kentucky Derby. Having this vision in my mind brings more energy into my body, which communicates forward energy to my horse.
- Remember that pressure motivates him to seek a release, but the RELEASE is what makes the CHANGE.
- It is also important to keep in mind that CONSISTENCY is key with a lazy horse.

MOTIVATION
Motivation is the inner push to rise to the occasion. Sometimes people don't realize their potential, so it is hard to be motivated. In order for me to feel motivated, I have to have an end picture in mind. I have to have a goal. Attitude has a lot to do with motivation. Believing something positive will happen, and being rewarded for small successes both have a lot to do with how motivated we will be to keep trying.

Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride,

- Ken McNabb

[goldenrod]

Best unmotivated horse video i have seen, thanks. You really did that in 30 mins?…wow! We have just bought a 14 y/o ex trail horse….great natured gelding, but pushy, who only walks in the arena. 3 sessions of lunge/groundwork, and he trots/lopes now on a lead rope. Still sluggish to leg aids…..will try this approach, i was nervous about picking up a crop and never being able to drop it later.

[Renegadehorsemanship]

This was the most helpful thing I've seen so far, for me. My gelding is 4 years old, very similar to this guy. Sassy and cranky when asked to lope. So working on the attitude makes so much sense!

[jtrealfunny]

7:17 "I don't need to get into a fight with him. If he is doing well that's good." There's a comforting practicality and efficacy when working with horses.

[jocelynyoung]

This will really help with my sort of lazy help. I will try today. Thank you.

[glitched-mare]

My horse, he is a half draft, is extremely lazy. He is also extremely gentle. I've got him to a lope but it was always hard. I'm definitely trying this out.

[vanaruone]

Love this cuz it’s exactly the issue I have with my lazy horse

[francesanneli]

Oh lord this is my horse. Thank you so very much. It is definitely attitude.

[lisacoffeymustangs]

Love it! Thank you for this video. My mustang gelding fits this description of lazy horse so this really reinforces what I’ve been trying to do with him and will continue.

[aragonacres]

I have a Percheron cross (Mickey) that looks just like Hercules and he also pins his ears at me and will kick at me on the ground with his displeasure. He is 17hands and knows he is big. He is gentle for the most part but will definitely challenge you if he doesn't want to do something. I am bringing him to your clinic this September. I hope we can work on these behaviors there.

[COMBRICO]

Glad I found your lessons. Called RFD to get you back on. I'm really hoping and a little prayer that we get competition channel out there. Thanks from Abilene Texas.

[laurenw]

I've been working with a new horse a few times now, and he reminds me of this guy a lot, except the horse I'm working with tends to snap at people as A coping mechanism he's picked up over the years. My last couple sessions were mostly getting him used to me being the leader and showing him that he doesn't have to be all up in arms around people, and the owner recently told me that snapping has disappeared almost overnight. But he is in general a good riding horse already, so my goal now is to make him softer and more responsive because he's gotten quite lazy over the years. So today when I went out to see him I did just this. I gave him the cue and then gave him the discipline without any extra warnings. I'm excited to see that That's how you would do it as well. Great video :-) and thank you for building my confidence as a trainer!

[crosscountrygl]

Thank you will be using this next ride I take

[ariannahills]

I love this video and your seriousness and effectiveness !! This really helped me I’m breaking out my QH mare and long lining I found a challenge when she just wouldn’t move! Will be trying these methods tomorrow

[sophiahendy]

This is so fantastic, and what I’ve learnt too, thank you for putting it in this video

[johnharrell]

Thank you for Video! Dealing with this currently with my 3 year old mare. Was at a dead-end, work on her Attitude ! Thank your!

[lindajosefsson]

This was great! I have a lazy Gypsy Vanner

[siannevautour]

What do you do if they don't respond to the stick ? Our Morgan doesn't care at all if you tap or hit him with it .

[amberscott]

Any chance of a training video or comment /suggestions on what to do with a horse who snatches grass and once heads down will refuse to trail ride ? Help appreciated love this video ❤

[amplife]

This is so helpful! I am relatively new (2 years) to riding. My horse likes to stop walking on the short trail ride (1/4 mile) to the end of the unpaved driveway at the farm and back. I learned from a previous trainer that he used to buck his rider off (bad behavior and severe attitude) instead of go as expected. It makes me not push him when he stops. I am going to need to try all these drills in the round pen.I don't actually think he has a mean bone in his body just - lazy & sometimes bossy. I love my boy and he is great while I am on the ground. What's the best video you have for me to learn to trot, lope and gallop? Thanks Ken for all your videos!

[zeitgeist]

I have been so discouraged by my mustang. Ask him to do anything under saddle (other than plod listlessly at the walk) and he flattens his ears and puts a really ugly snarl on his mug. So...I have established the kiss-kiss prompt. Thank you! (It's great to have replaced the "go forward" leg aid. I do not want him to associate leg aids with resistance). Nevertheless, I have yet to get an ears-forward attitude at the trot. I might get a very brief one-ear forward thing, quickly returning to ears-back. It is difficult to find something to reward.
This horse is very pleasant on the ground, except when I am saddling him, even though I tighten the girth VERY gradually. Buckle the girth and it's ears-flattened-snarl-mug.