Asking for an outline?

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Hanz

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My mare used to work in an outline, but since I returned from a 4day holiday, where a friend was riding her for me, she insists n having her nose in the air.

She has always used her back end etc correctly, and to ask her to go on the bit I just had to play with my reins a little bit, then keep a firm contact. Now everytime she feels pressure on her mouth she throws her head up, sticks her tounge out or opens her mouth. Obviously rider has been rough with her mouth and now she dosent like it.

Now before this she was an excellent dressage prospect, but now that seems to have gone to-pot as she has her nose in the air all the time now. What can I do to get her working nicely again, as my method I used before turned out to be the only one which worked.

I would like to also say, what I used did not make her uncomfortable, or make her in pain in any sort of way, its just the way she liked to be ridden.

Any ideas please? I dont really want to rsort to gadgets unless I really have to, at the moment she is only in a french link loose ring snaffle.

Thanks
 
Try riding her up into a good contact, then keeping the outside rain give a little with your inside. Thats what I'm trying with my girl atm.
 
Thats the thing, whenever I try to get a good, firm contact on her, she just sticks her head up and puts her nose out.
crazy.gif
 
i would suggest that you stop worry about front end at first and make sure you engage hock first before asking to take contact with bit.
So i would suggest using long rien at start and ask mare to drop neck and neck take contact (long and long first) and working loosely first then take more of a contact.
Lots of transtrations to keep listerning to you, walk, trot, halt etc... then do some lateral once starting to listern
I'm sorry to say that a trained horse will not loose it in 4 days, perhaps next time you go away i would suggest you leave gg with your trainer?
 
Have you had her back and teeth checked? If she's suddenly started doing this it may be that she's pulled a muscle somewhere in the field or is uncomfortable in her mouth?
 
Aggree with kick_on.

But also has the person riding her been rough on her mouth and cause it to hurt? Check corners of mouth for cuts to give her the benefit of the doubt. If you are really worried, get teeth and back checked.
 
I agree with kick_on, 4 days isn't going to ruin an established horse's way of going. To say that "she was an excellent dressage prospect, but now that seems to have gone to-pot" is quite frankly ridiculous!

Check her mouth for bruises, cuts thorns etc & then start working her long & low, gradually picking her up as she becomes more settled. Maybe get an instructor out to help you?
 
She was a dressage prospect for me, she could of competed in it and done quite well, IMO. But now since I left her with friend she has just started to chuck her head about. Other forum users have even told me to ditch jumping and do dressage.

Kick_On - She does use her back end etc properly, just her head cariage is a high, I know it sounds strange, but this is the pony who canters in front with her left lead but with right lead behind! Will get her a sports massage if nothing is in her mouth, as they benefitted my gelding greatly. Thanks for advice everyone, I think I will get an instructor for the summer, Nari, have been thinking about it but just have to save up the cash first.
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i'm sorry totally disagree, she can't be using her back correctly if her head up in the air for dressage. You need to allow her to go long and low, which will engage hocks and use correct muscles type and this does take time.
If you want to improve these muscle type you'll their have to ride in this manor (long and low) or lunge in a pessa.
Having someone less experienced ride your horse whilst on holiday will encourage bad bahaviour.
IMO get a trainer to help you and then can also advice whether you need her back look at. And next time you go way either give pony holiday aswell or give to trainer for some extra TLC
I personnel would mark it down to experience and carry on training
 
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