arrrr confused! How to get the horse working correctly.

[smelly ginger]

Right, I'm confused...

What is the correct way encourage the horse to work in an outline?

Through having different instructors and watching experienced people ride, there seem to be two main ways:

1. Wiggle wiggle hands. This seems to be a quick and easy way to get the horse in an outline, but does not encourage them to work properly and stay in a consistent outline.

2. Widening of the hands. I do prefer this way, even if it is bloody hard work! It worked well with my last pony and it seems more correct.

However I'm not sure what to do!
I know you will all say that he has to be working from the back end into the bridle (or something like that). He is stretching down nicely and working over his back, but I don't know how to now get that more rounded shape???

Please help,

Thanks

 

[Booboos]

It's really difficult to tell without seeing the horse ridden (and even then you have to be a talented instructor which I am not!!), but yes the main aid to use is your legs. If the horse is in front of your leg and using his back he will come into a round outline all by himself, if he is not I would imagine that he is not really in front of the leg. The hands should be close together, still, thumbs on top. As for wiggling the hands, it's difficult to comment without seeing you do it, there is a place for moving the bit in the horse's mouth, e.g. during the half-halt, but maybe not as constant a wiglge as you are suggesting?

 

[Stelzar]

Niether in my opinion!

The 2 main elements you need to get a horse working correctly....

1. Balance - The horses and riders weight is evenly balanced and the footfalls are even.

2. Rythym - Steady Rhythm (This will help horse to relax and be comfortable)


Once you have those the horse should naturally feel comfortable enough to lover it's head then you can push your horse leg into hand.

So what you want to do is squeeze with your leg like a tube of toothpate and channel into your hand use a sponging method not a seesawing method, as soon as the horse comes down soften with your hand and the horses head will become light if he starts to bring his head up again repeat the same method - as soon as the horse gives you give to say WELL DONE and he should remain comfortable as long as you stay soft with your hand... don't fix your hand or your elbow - your arm you be like a spring extension on the end of the rein.

I hope this helps...

Stelzar


Also doing transitions and bending the horse round your leg will help the horse become supple and encorouge the head carriage.