Bareback schooling and condition crit?

live2ride

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15 June 2011
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Whilst Im waiting for our saddle to be checked as it seems to be causing some ridden problems. We've been back to working on the basics: lunging sensibly, long reining out hacking and some bareback schooling.

We're just working on walk and trot mainly with a bit of canter, and starting the lateral work up again.

I was wondering if you guys might be able to point out where our topline still needs to improve and build up

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confirmedponyaddict

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Looks like a sweet pony, I would say the main areas to improve are the area behind the saddle and just in front of the withers- both of which are very hard areas to improve- took me months with mine! Lateral work will help, particularly leg yield and if you can use a pessoa when lunging. Alternatively you could try putting sidereins on and attaching between the front legs to encourage the horse to work deeper- you can do this when riding as well obviously, just make sure the horse is stretching down and forward and not behind the vertical.
I know you said you are not doing much canter but a little bit of counter canter really helps to strengthen the back muscles.
Also, whilst having your toes forward looks pretty, it doesn't help topline :p
 

live2ride

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Thank you for all of the advice :) will def put it to work, I am doing pretty much all of your suggestions already, but will step it up a bit this year to try and build up the last bits of muscle needed.

She's a connemara x tb i think, thats what is on her passport and she is a sweetheart with some things, and an absolute devil for others. Im sure we'll get to the sweetheart bit 99% of the time eventually.
 

TigerTail

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You need to switch your headlights on ;) (i.e. bring your chest up!) and look up more not down at the horse.

Your arms looks rather braced and seem to come forward and down a lot which depending what you're asking for isn't always ideal.

Elevated poles and hill work are great for top line - its not all made in the school :)
 
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