Linda Eskin's Personal Site

Linda's Story About Sabrina Being Doggy and Slow in Lessons

Since writing this, I have learned that Sabrina has EPSM, which could account for her "running out of energy" so quickly. Even so, the points below are worth considering, if you horse is pokey.

I know I've told this story before, but it might bear repeating here. When I was taking dressage lessons, Sabrina was awfully pokey. She'd trot OK, but when I brought her down to a walk it was all I could do to keep her moving. She'd just droop and come to a stop, like "I can't possibly move another step." I attributed it to her being fat and out of shape, and tired after trotting. So I took it really easy on her, and cut lessons short, and didn't really ask a lot. I know how it is being fat and out of shape, and I didn't want her to learn to hate going out, thinking I was going to work her to death any time she got in the trailer.

One day someone where I took lessons needed company to walk her horse down the little dirt road, since he was afraid to go out (refused, actually), and I volunteered my quiet, tired horsey. Well... as soon as we left the arena, and headed down the road, she started into the most energetic, forward, ears-up, eager-to-go walk you ever saw. It became pretty clear to me that she just hates lessons, hence my summer of carefree yahooing. She'll walk right out and trot without a second thought on trail, 'cause she's having fun. I'm also not asking a lot of her, or getting after her for much.

So, my point is, if your horse is dragging around with no energy, the horse may indeed be sore, and you should definitely check that, but she also might just hate whatever you're doing.

I don't know why Sabrina hates lessons. Could be boring going in circles (it really is). Could be that she doesn't like being told what to do (she really doesn't). She might be confused about what I'm asking (I'm sure I'm not giving crystal-clear cues, for starters). She might be afraid of getting smacked when she hops the side of the arena (we're talking dressage, remember) to go visit another horse. I don't know. I just quit lessons, so I didn't really think about it much beyond that.

So in addition to checking out your horse physically, see if you can figure out what might be bugging her, if anything. Do you use different tack at a show or lesson? Is she afraid of crowds and announcers. Does it just tick her off to be away from home and her buddies? Are you especially particular about doing things just right and fussing at her more than usual? Could she be confused by the new arena, lights, jumps she's never seen? I can think of all kinds of good reasons to be doggy and slow.

Try this test: check her for physical problems (anything from a stone in her foot to needing chiropractic care or a different saddle), and if there isn't anything obvious, and if there's a safe place, just leave and go off hacking with a buddy. She if she perks right up and is eager to get out and look around. That sure was a big clue for me.

Good luck, Linda

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