Achieving consistent contact

[sam72431]

As above really, my mare is only 7 so still establishing balance etc she is consistent within the paces but struggles to maintain contact up and sometimes down the transitions mainly walk to Trot and trot to canter she will poke her head up then needs a correction before coming back onto a contact and mainly maintaining it throughout she tends to relax down into contact when coming down the transition apart from walk to halt. I think it's due to needing to gain strength she is built slightly downhill so I know this makes it more difficult for her so looking for idea. All fine back and teeth etc so I think it's just a baby type thing so any tips or exercises greatly appreciated! Tia

 

[be positive]

Putting her head up through an upward transition shows she is lacking balance/ strength so you need to work on that, the rider is the one who maintains the contact/ connection so if she is not consistent it will be down to you to maintain the feel as you ask her to change pace otherwise you risk her dropping behind rather than taking the contact forward, be careful that she is not dropping behind you at times when you feel she is going well, having someone on the ground can be invaluable to ensure she really is working through correctly.

Do lots of transitions as avoiding them because they are difficult will not help long term, vary where you do them, some are best working on a circle where you are constantly turning and can do numerous transitions in and out of the pace as well as within the pace ensuring they are straight and not able to drop out through the shoulder or get behind the leg, it is useful to keep off the outside track/ fence so they are truly between leg and hand not cheating by relying on the fence to hold them up.

 

[JillA]

Just before you ask for a transition, either up or down, ask her to relax her jaw by moving your fingers softly and releasing as soon as you feel her jaw relax. When you have that softness you are well on the way to self carriage, once she is strong enough, and with self carriage all you have to do is follow her. When she is working through from behind the so-called outline will come of its own accord with her better balance . Asking for relaxation in the jaw made all the difference to mine.

 

[Tnavas]

Putting her head up through an upward transition shows she is lacking balance/ strength so you need to work on that, the rider is the one who maintains the contact/ connection so if she is not consistent it will be down to you to maintain the feel as you ask her to change pace otherwise you risk her dropping behind rather than taking the contact forward, be careful that she is not dropping behind you at times when you feel she is going well, having someone on the ground can be invaluable to ensure she really is working through correctly.

Do lots of transitions as avoiding them because they are difficult will not help long term, vary where you do them, some are best working on a circle where you are constantly turning and can do numerous transitions in and out of the pace as well as within the pace ensuring they are straight and not able to drop out through the shoulder or get behind the leg, it is useful to keep off the outside track/ fence so they are truly between leg and hand not cheating by relying on the fence to hold them up.

^^^^^^^ agree, great answer

 

[sam72431]

Thank you very much for all your help

 

[blackhor2e]

Be positive nailed it there, I have found my problem is giving my hands in upward transitions thus loosing the contact. I tend to do transitions now in one pace for example in trot, medium for a few steps then back to working this really helps the horse step into the contact and helps me maintain a good contact.