Horse Not Performing? 10 Things to Check Immediately

Every horse has good days and bad days, but when a normally willing and capable horse suddenly begins to underperform, it should never be dismissed as laziness or stubbornness. A decline in performance is often the horse’s way of communicating that something is wrong. Whether the issue is physical, mental, nutritional, or environmental, identifying the cause early can prevent a minor problem from becoming a major one.

Many riders instinctively increase training intensity when performance drops, believing their horse simply needs to work harder. In reality, this approach can worsen the underlying problem if discomfort or illness is the true cause. Instead, taking a systematic approach to evaluating your horse can save time, money, and unnecessary frustration.

Here are ten important areas to assess before making changes to your training programme.

1. Check for Pain or Lameness

Even subtle discomfort can significantly affect performance. A horse does not have to be visibly lame to experience pain that limits movement, willingness, or athletic ability. Early signs may include reluctance to move forward, resistance in transitions, shortened strides, stiffness on one rein, difficulty maintaining rhythm, or knocking rails during jumping.

Run your hands over your horse’s body, checking for heat, swelling, tenderness, or unusual reactions. Observe the horse walking and trotting on a firm, level surface, and compare movement on both reins. If you suspect pain or lameness, consult your veterinarian promptly rather than continuing to train.

2. Evaluate Saddle and Tack Fit

Poorly fitting tack is one of the most common causes of poor performance. A saddle that pinches, bridges, rocks, or creates pressure points can lead to muscle soreness, resistance, behavioural changes, and long-term back problems.

Watch for warning signs such as ears pinned during tacking up, moving away from the mounting block, hollowing the back, bucking, tail swishing, or reluctance to work. Horses change shape with age, fitness, and seasonal weight fluctuations, meaning a saddle that fitted perfectly last year may no longer be suitable today.

Regular assessments by a qualified saddle fitter help ensure both comfort and performance.

3. Assess Dental Health

Dental discomfort often goes unnoticed until performance declines. Sharp enamel points, loose teeth, hooks, wave mouth, or other dental abnormalities can make accepting the bit painful.

Common indicators include excessive salivation, dropping feed, head tossing, opening the mouth, crossing the jaw, uneven contact, or resisting collection. Routine dental examinations by a qualified equine dental professional or veterinarian are essential, with most horses benefiting from an annual check.

4. Review Nutrition and Hydration

Athletic performance depends on appropriate nutrition. Horses in regular work require balanced diets that provide adequate energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and constant access to clean, fresh water.

Poor-quality forage, insufficient calorie intake, sudden dietary changes, dehydration, or mineral imbalances can all contribute to fatigue, weight loss, poor muscle development, and reduced stamina. Before increasing concentrates, evaluate the overall feeding programme to ensure it matches your horse’s workload and condition.

5. Consider Hoof Health

The old saying “no foot, no horse” remains as true today as ever. Even minor hoof problems can affect movement, balance, and confidence.

Inspect each hoof for cracks, bruising, thrush, loose shoes, uneven wear, or embedded stones. Long toes, underrun heels, or delayed farrier appointments can alter biomechanics and place additional strain on joints and tendons. Maintaining a consistent trimming or shoeing schedule is fundamental to long-term soundness.

6. Look for Signs of Illness

A horse may appear healthy while quietly developing an illness that affects performance. Respiratory infections, gastric ulcers, metabolic disorders, muscle conditions, and low-grade viral infections can all reduce energy levels.

Monitor your horse’s appetite, water intake, body temperature, breathing, manure consistency, and overall demeanour. Unexplained weight loss, persistent lethargy, coughing, nasal discharge, or reduced recovery after exercise warrant veterinary investigation.

7. Assess Fitness and Training Balance

Sometimes poor performance is simply the result of inappropriate conditioning. A horse returning from time off may lack cardiovascular fitness, while an intensively campaigned horse may be experiencing fatigue or overtraining.

Effective fitness programmes build strength and stamina gradually through varied work, including flatwork, hacking, pole exercises, hill work, and appropriate rest days. Recovery is just as important as exercise, allowing muscles and soft tissues to adapt safely to increasing workloads.

8. Consider Stress and Mental Wellbeing

Horses are highly sensitive animals, and mental wellbeing has a direct impact on performance. Changes in routine, new stable companions, transport, frequent competitions, unfamiliar environments, or inconsistent handling can all create stress.

Signs of mental fatigue include tension, reluctance to work, spooking, loss of concentration, weaving, cribbing, or general anxiety. Providing turnout, social interaction where appropriate, consistent routines, and varied training sessions helps many horses remain relaxed and motivated.

9. Evaluate Rider Influence

Even experienced riders can unknowingly contribute to performance issues. Changes in balance, uneven rein contact, inconsistent leg aids, or rider tension may confuse the horse and affect its willingness to perform.

Having lessons with a qualified instructor or reviewing video footage of training sessions can identify subtle issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. Sometimes improving rider effectiveness produces immediate improvements in the horse’s way of going.

10. Know When to Call the Professionals

If your horse’s performance continues to decline despite careful assessment, professional advice is essential. Your veterinarian can investigate underlying medical conditions, while physiotherapists, saddle fitters, farriers, nutritionists, and qualified coaches each play an important role in maintaining equine health and performance.

Trying to “ride through” an unresolved problem rarely ends well. Early diagnosis often leads to quicker recovery and reduces the risk of more serious complications developing over time.

A Systematic Approach Leads to Better Outcomes

Poor performance is rarely caused by a single factor. More often, it results from a combination of small issues that gradually affect the horse’s comfort, confidence, and athletic ability. By carefully working through each area—from physical health and tack fit to nutrition, training, and rider influence—you can often identify the source of the problem before it escalates.

Above all, remember that horses communicate through their behaviour and performance. A sudden change should always be viewed as valuable information rather than disobedience. Listening to what your horse is telling you and seeking professional guidance when needed will help protect both welfare and long-term performance, ensuring your equine partner remains healthy, happy, and ready to perform at its best.

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