and vids, cc my lesson

D

Dottyfordylan

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 November 2010
Messages
482
Location
Bucks
Visit site
Not been videoed riding for a long time so though id give it a bash and post it here to be fed to the lions :)

Things have improved(believe it or not) but we both still have a long way to go. Worked alot on riding with no contact and moving him with my seat which as you will see we didnt find easy! I know alot of our faults but any cc is always helpful. I hope this video will serve as a reminder to myself that he is not an easy horse and i should stop beating myself up about taking our time to get things right.
You may however laugh at the first video :p i thought i was going to come a cropper over the fence!



Lots of jump to the canter...shame about the giraffe impression
273.jpg


223.jpg






Also a work in progress is his weight/condition, what do you think of it at the minute?

449.jpg

and cos hes so cute
440.jpg


Having trouble uploading the decent video so that will have to do for now:confused:
 
OK, I can see what you are trying to achieve and your horse looks very much as if he is use to a rider pulling at his mouth. So, when allowing him to work down and he is snatching at his reins, let them slip further through your fingers so he is not getting pulled at all.

The next thing I noticed is that your saddle does not fit. Every time you rise it is coming off his back which is what is causing the rubs. It is also rocking to the side as you had to correct it several times.

As for you, I would suggest that when you first get on and several times during a ride, whether in the arena or hacking, you put your hand under your thigh and pull the flesh to the back. This puts your thigh flat on the saddle, turns the knee and toe forward and stops you gripping up with your lower leg. It will feel strange to start but them become totally natural.

He looks like a right cheeky chap! Keep working at it and things will keep improving. Well done.
 
He is lovely, I too agree ^^^^ that he is almost waiting to be tugged at in the mouth, may I suggest (kindly) that you would need a saddler out as your saddle does not fit, its seen bouncing around... this too could be causing him to be tricky.

I would although not perfect rider myself, take a slight contact with him, as he is snatching at the reins thus throwing you off balance and unseating you.

Have you an instructor that would be able to help?

well done though sure you will get there....
 
I would def be worried about saddle fit - please do get that checked :)

The biggest one for me is the massive hip thrust you do in R.T. Think about allowing the horses movement to throw you up and use ur thigh muscles to slow your descent. You shouldnt be thrusting forwards so much as this is continually putting you behind the movement and causing you to thump back down and depress his back.

Also think about lowering your little toe, this will keep your feet turned in towards his sides rather than coming out sideways.

You asked for canter from rising trot and used your stick v quickly. Whilst you dont want to be nagging with your legs I felt you didnt give him chance to respond before going to the stick. Go to sitting trot and take you outside leg slightly behind the girth when asking for canter to help him pick himself off and use the correct lead.

I like that you dont have a rigid contact on his mouth all the time, but do watch your elbows ;)

hope thats helpful!
 
agree about saddle above and also think saddle looks to big for you. Also try and keep your legs underneath you. When you rise your legs go back and when you sit your legs go forward.
Ponio is looking very well though!
 
Some very constructive comments from the previous posters.
Just to add there is a lot to like about your riding. Your core strength looks good,which is keeping you upper body in the right place. You keep your eyes on where you are heading rather than your hands.
The horse needs to be a little more connected,which as others have suggested, might mean a saddle fit and a tad more contact at this stage.
Once he is more connected you will find it is easier to perfect your leg position.
Looking good.
Keep it up.
 
Firstly yes he is a cheeky chappie, he is very on his forehand at times which is where I struggle to keep my bum in the saddle. Every saddle I have tried on him moved I mean every one! Maybe it's just him I don't know but the rubs aren't from this saddle. Also found out in the lesson that I am sitting to the left and pushing the saddle over which isn't helping

And as for the thrusting....well?! I could of wet myself watching it back the other videoed I have I'm not doing it in all of them I have had to ride him defensively in the past as he's been very nappy and I think when that tenseness creeps back in I totally loose my balance and can't relax to the movement, hence the thrusting.

Some good ideas though thank you.
 
Last edited:
Pedantic said:
Nice lively looking sausage :)
Click to expand...

Funny thing is he does look like the sausage dog shaped horse breed!

In the other video I was trying to upload later on in the lesson I had picked up the contact which he does accept at times but is still very leany despite putting my leg on and sending him forward, this is why.i have the whips to keep his hind leg active if he ignores my leg.

Being on the forehand really is an awful feeling!
 
can only echo what others have said re your saddle and riding in general but it seems you do have agenuine little horse there and he should be very nice when you get everything sorted :-)

ps if you were paying for your instruction I suggest you find somebody who recognises when a saddle doesn't fit. Your horse certainly doesn't look difficult he just looks confused and irritated........sorry
 
Last edited:
If you look at the third photo you can see the amount of lift there is at the back of the saddle, this is causing him discomfort, probably the rub marks and also why you are having difficulty at times with balance. A well fitted saddle will not lift at the back.
Lovely pony that once comfortable will probably go very willingly, I have seen ponies with saddles like his that have become both lame and cranky, with correct saddles they have changed almost immediately.
 
be positive said:
If you look at the third photo you can see the amount of lift there is at the back of the saddle, this is causing him discomfort, probably the rub marks and also why you are having difficulty at times with balance. A well fitted saddle will not lift at the back.
Lovely pony that once comfortable will probably go very willingly, I have seen ponies with saddles like his that have become both lame and cranky, with correct saddles they have changed almost immediately.
Click to expand...

not that i don't agree the saddle is lifting but i haven't used this saddle vefore so the rub marks r not from it. He does also behave like this even without a saddle or rider on has since ive had him for the most part although he does have good days...
 
PLEASE get a recommended qualified saddler out. Your saddle does not fit. I know lot of people on here say check saddle etc, but really its lifting at the back for one. I have had horses come to me due to many a problems due to ill fitting saddles with previous owners and its not pretty. If your not sure what saddle to use get someone out to help, there is a saddle that will fit I'm sure. I would rather not ride a horse than have an ill fitted saddle....

Agree with others above - and what a pretty pony!
 
I think you need to get your saddle sorted and also get someone to check your bridle. On the second photo the noseband is pulling itself into his eye.

I'd also suggest that whilst you are waiting to get the saddle sorted you carry on riding him - without the saddle. I suspect it's you pushing the saddle over, not him and you'll soon find that out if you do some bareback work!

He's a nice chap.
 
Hi

what a nice horse I always think as long as they are going forward etc but you ride long. O shorten stirrups a tad, a few times you hold the tray with open hands but I think you forget sometimes. Sit back you seem forward sometimes and yes your feet do come forward.

But a good riding instructor will help you and try to get a good one..they do vary! Again dont menage to death and make him menage stale, do some pole work keep him listening...lots of transitions too. Half halts etc

But vary it. Good luck nice pics. Also go and watch someone school a horse you can learn hell of a lot watching other people ride. Even ask a riding school if you can watch etc...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top