Behind the vertical.....

[CSYMolly]

Gone back to our old ways and got really slated on sun for her being behind the vertical. I think it was primarily becos she was tired from her lesson the day before so wasn't really infront of my leg and I also didn't ride my best. Thing is it actually felt ok but now looking at the photos I can really see why I got the marks I did. So all tips/suggestions as to how to get her poll up - it is her party trick if she is feeling a little tired but also spooky, she tucks her neck in and drops her poll.

 

[Fiona]

When my mare does it I get told to lift my hands and to sit up, also to slightly wiggle the reins to remind her to take the contact. However this may just be my particular horse, and no use for anyone else.
Worth a try though maybe??

Fiona

 

[Tempi]

She sounds identical to Archie! When he gets tired or when hes nervous he tucks his head right in and gets behind the vertical and pulls my arms out - lovely horse

In my lessons i work on hundreds and hundreds of transitions - trot/walk/trot, trot/halt/trot. As soon as he goes to duck his head down he gets tapped on the bum (sharpley) and i lift my hands right up to get his head up (make sure your hands do go UP, and not back - as back will just draw the head in more), and then relax the contact to reward. Hes starting to learn now that he cant tuck his head in and hes much better.

As he is still very much developing and nowhere near fit yet i never have a lesson the day before i compete. All i do the day before is put him in the field for a few hours and give him a quick lunge in his bridle. When i warmup at comps its for no longer than 15mins as the nerves/stress make him tired and he starts getting over bent.

He is ALOT better now, and with constant nagging from my trainer we are slowly coming together and he is in a lot more upright frame now.

Im not sure how advanced your horse is, but i do half steps of piaffe with Archie to get him up through his shoulder and to sit down and be active behind. If shes not doing that sort of thing then transitions work just aswell.

If you want anymore info do PM me! x