LauraElise
Well-Known Member
Random musings whilst bored at work. Are there some horses that just cannot physically work in an "outline" despite correct schooling?
Before I left the UK I was riding a friends 13 year old, Heinz cob ex riding school mare. She has never in her life been worked correctly and motorbikes round with her nose sticking out or head in the air. She is very short through the neck and very thick around her throat (can't describe it better!) and she seems to struggle to bend from the poll. I spent 2 or 3 weeks trying to get something resembling a contact from her. I rode transitions, tried to improve the bend, got her moving off my leg and....nothing. I could effect no improvement at all. Nose still poking out, mouth like steel.
Said friend has now started having lessons from a very good instructor who also cannot do a thing to get correct work or a contact. They have resorted to trying a double bridle, no good mouth too small, and draw reins. DR worked whilst on, in that mares head could be pulled into a false outline, once off, straight back to poky nose. Friend will not use them again quite rightly.
Now my friend ADORES this mare and really couldn't care less whether she ever goes "properly". But it got me to thinking, are there some horses that for conformational issues or otherwise are just incapable of working properly, ever?
Before I left the UK I was riding a friends 13 year old, Heinz cob ex riding school mare. She has never in her life been worked correctly and motorbikes round with her nose sticking out or head in the air. She is very short through the neck and very thick around her throat (can't describe it better!) and she seems to struggle to bend from the poll. I spent 2 or 3 weeks trying to get something resembling a contact from her. I rode transitions, tried to improve the bend, got her moving off my leg and....nothing. I could effect no improvement at all. Nose still poking out, mouth like steel.
Said friend has now started having lessons from a very good instructor who also cannot do a thing to get correct work or a contact. They have resorted to trying a double bridle, no good mouth too small, and draw reins. DR worked whilst on, in that mares head could be pulled into a false outline, once off, straight back to poky nose. Friend will not use them again quite rightly.
Now my friend ADORES this mare and really couldn't care less whether she ever goes "properly". But it got me to thinking, are there some horses that for conformational issues or otherwise are just incapable of working properly, ever?