Can you have a look at this and let me know what we are doing wrong

If I were you I would invest in some lessons with an approved instructor, they will also be able to advise you on bitting. In the mean time, I would shorten your stirrups 1 or two holes. If your legs arent very strong they tend to flap about a bit. good luck
 
Considering everything you've said, I think you make a very nice pair and your pony has a great rhythm.

I would also echo the others advising lots of up and down transitions, also a few small circles with a slight outside bend to get her underneath herself (start a 10 / 15 m circle in walk with an outside bend, then ask for an inside bend and an upward transition to trot).

Also, I know it is hard because my TB / ID has the hugest trot ever, but if you can do some work without stirrups it does your seat and legs the world of good.
 
I think you both presented quite a nice picture together so dont be too hard on yourself.

Early on, page 1, I think someone mentioned about lengthening your thigh and I think this would help your lower leg stability and rising too high (both of which used to be problems of mine, and I'm sure to extent still are :) ). The way I found that helped me (via Mary Wanless) was to think of putting my weight down my thighs and onto my knees rather than my feet. So sort of concentrate on lowering your knees. That in turn seems to curiously make the bottom leg more stable and better positioned. Because I was then more balanced I could control my rising much better.

I'm sure others will say this is wrong, but once you get the feel you dont need to crucify your knees lol.
 
You look a lovely pair. From what I can see, you are working twice as hard as your horse especially when rising to the trot. Try to lean slightly forward when rising and let the horse “push you up into the rise”, it only needs to be just out of the saddle. When you rise vertically, as you are doing, you get left behind in the movement and this makes it difficult to control how softly you land back in the saddle on the sit part of rising trot. If you lean slightly forward, you will be more with the movement and able to control the soft landing back in the saddle and also be able to control the tempo (although your horse has a lovely rhythm anyway) of the trot by how fast or slow you rise and fall. To get a feel for the balance needed, try staying in the rising part of the trot for two or three beats and similarly the sit part. Hope this helps.
 
v v similar to my mare!

i found a straight bar eggbutt helped her initially relax into contact - and now she's in a lozenge eggbutt

i also need my stirrups one shorter than most people think i do - as i have a long thigh (so also need 17.5" saddles when i'm only 5'5! horse needs 18" saddles so i have then m2m to fit us both ;)) or i loose my lower leg - i prob could train myself eventually to go longer in my dressage saddle but as i also jump, everytime i ride in jumping saddle i loose my length of leg again!)

as you both get stronger it will also help - it took me a good while to be able to absorbe honey's bouncy trot - once i did then i was more in balance andf her trot improved anyway as she began to use herself correctly - so it will get better ;)

she looks a little stiff behind in some parts - i imagin thats just her coming back after a break but i'd be getting her back checked to make sure (mine needed some help as she learnt to use herself corectly after 10yrs of being a yak - remedial massage def helped the transition as is was a big shock to her muscels and body!)

and ditto others - for strengthening and getting back end working better i'd do pole work, transitions and hill work if you can?
 
xspiralx said:
It looks nice enough, just a bit idle. She's not really going forward off your leg, she's just keeping going, and it looks like you're having to push her on just to get that much.

I'd be asking for more, with spurs or a schooling whip if she ignores the leg. Lots of transitions, walk to canter is particularly good for getting them sitting back and working from behind - and in general canter work is quite good as it is much harder to fake working properly and should expose any problems much more clearly.
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I kind of agree with this. But maybe not use the spurs until you are more secure in your leg and you are used to her movement.
Your mare is very sweet, but does seem to be "behind the movement". I agree, lots of transitions will help with responsivenes to your leg etc.
I also agree that she doesnt look comfortable in her mouth. Maybe try something really simple like a snaffle. If she leans on you, try lots of flexing from side to side.
Al in all, you both look neat and tidy, just need a few things tweeking and you'll be there.
Good luck.
 
I used to own her a couple of years ago and have recently bought her back. She has been ridden but just hacking and seems to have been allowed to do whatever she likes regarding speed.

So should I ignore the bit evasion for the moment and just try to get her working from behind a bit more? I have changed her bit to a happy mouth hanging cheek snaffle to see how she gets on with that. Anything straight she leans on but she just seems to have forgotten slow down aids :)

She isn't lazy at all, I think she is just trying to avoid a contact by tucking her nose in and trotting slowly. I will shorten my stirrups and do some work without stirrups. I do hate that saddle she has, it is too flat so I feel like I am sitting on a plate. My other horse's saddle is much deeper but must get used to it I suppose
 
personally i don't think you are rising that high and i think you have a lovely position :)

maybe try pushing you heels down more to keep your leg steadier, and push your horse forward more into the bridle (maybe add osme spurs of a whip if he's a bit difficult??). Also as others have said, lots of bending (circles, serpentines etc) and transitions. if your feeling daring, try a bit of leg yield and shoulder in :)

have fun!
 
i think youre honestly being too hard on yourself - theres not a lot wrong at all - i ride a bouncy horse too and i prob rise too high as well. I have regular lessons with an approved instructor.

Biggest problem is not forwards. I would ride her long and low to encourage engagement and use of her back. think forwards forwards forwards and really push her. once you have forwards, you can bring her up off the forehand.


I think you are both lovely.
 
Im not one for you should look pretty but should be effective the only thing i would say the horse need to be looser in the shoulders and cover more ground. I wouldnt worry about being on the bit just get her to move forward she seems a bit stuffy. But no expert
 
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