CC on neurotic eventer pls! *videos*

[clairel]

Ok so took Nicky to a local arena to do some schooling as with all the recent rain our field is too wet to do much!
Got mum to do a bit of videoing as I find it very difficult to judge how he is going (looks much better than it feels!) and I'm still getting used to him and vice versa.
So would appreciate any CC... I know all about my flaws (of which there are many!) but the main one, me riding with my hands so wide and low is the only way at the moment I can get him to soften through his back and work constructively. You can be as harsh as you like as I'm am really trying hard to improve him and me!
Oh and also what do you think of how he is going, especially his length of neck and should he maybe be going longer and lower?

Just after we started


More towards the end, I think my upper body has improved slightly as he has relaxed?


Any ideas much appreciated...

 

[Madam_max]

I think he looks really good, the only thing like you pointed out was your hands wide and low. What does he do if you hold them more together and in front of you?

 

[seabiscuit]

Ok well you did ask..

Firstly, that saddle is not helping your position at all. The lower leg is stuck out in front and is therefore not as effective as it could be. The pelvis, and your centre of gravity, is therefore far too backwards in the saddle. This makes the posting( rising) to the trot very heavy as the seat is crashing down on the horses back, making him tense in the back. The rider is therefore balancing on the hands which means that the hands are moving non-stop.

I would get a saddle that you are more comfortable in. Like me you are short in the leg, I find that I ride better in saddles which are very straight cut. Prefably, if you really do want to bring on the flatwork, I would get a dressage saddle as that will help the lower leg to hang better. But for now, I would work on developing the postition, lenghtening your legs,strenghtening the lower leg and developing core stability across your stomach and back ( pilates will teach this) and think about keeping straight and tall in the saddle lenghten your stirrups a few holes, make sure that your lower leg does not slip forwards in front of the knee.

Perhaps get some lunge lessons without stirrups to work on position? Once the position is stronger ( espec the stomach muscles) you will find that the horse naturally becomes softer and more engaged, and you wont feel that you have to use your hands to round him, everything will come from the seat.

Using the hands so much is completly ineffective, as the horse will never learn to trust the contact and therefore wont be able to develope rhyhtym and therefore softness in his paces. The contact has to be elastic and soft, and able to give all the time. The hand should never think backwards they should be pushed forwards as much as possible. Only use the hand as infrequently as possible to make very minor corrections, then as soon as you have the result you want, instantly soften, dont throw away the rein, the contact has to be kept elastic all the time.

All very much easier said then done I know!

He is a gorgeous horse tho and can see that you'll both be a fab partnership!

 

[clairel]

He gets very tense and comes up above the bit, a bit like this... excuse my awful position but it gives you the idea!

 

[only_me]

you live near ballyalton!

lol

no criticism from me as not in position to be able to

lol

 

[clairel]

Thanks Ouiji_Board this is exactly the sort of thing I need! Feel a bit lost with this horse and he makes me feel like I can't ride but only in the last week or 2 do I think we may be ready for some lessons as before this it wouldn't have been constructive! I have always struggled with my lower leg shooting forward, so I suppose it is just hard work?! Would trying to do some work without stirrups help or would this maybe make things worse?

 

[clairel]

only_me I live about 5 mins from ballyalton which is really handy for using the school!

 

[seabiscuit]

Yeah, my current horse also makes me feel like I cant ride, so I know exactly how you feel!!

I think that a little bit of work without stirrups ( say 15 mins) would really help, just so that you get a feel of where the seatbones are and to get the legs hanging down more. I think its better to do a good long session without stirrups on a schoolmaster/advanced horse because they will be softer in the back therefore it is easier to feel where your position should be. doing it too much on a novice horse just tends to make their backs tenser and tenser. I would not dare to do any sitting trot on mine at the moment because we would be galloping over the feels before we knew it!

But your boy looks v. genuine so am sure it would be fine.

 

[madmav]

What about lengthening your stirrups by a couple of holes and thinking hips forward in rising trot? That's my RI's mantra to me. Also with hands, she gets me to over-exaggerate having them as an even pair by putting wrist bones together and thumbs turned out for a few rouinds of school.

By the way, think your horse is lovely and the scenery around that still photo is gorgeous. Is that where you live? Am dead jealous!

 

[clairel]

Thanks madmav will definately give that a try!
The picture is at my house and yard...and I know is beautiful, well when its sunny anyway!

 

[Bossanova]

He looks like he'll improve tonnes if you can get him to genuinely take the contact and soften the jaw by using flexions instead of 'holding' him down there where the middle of his neck is holding him and giving a false roundness.

It's not easy, I've ridden a very tense horse and understand your battle!

 

[clairel]

Thanks Bossanova I'm glad someone understands how difficult it is!!

 

[Fiona]

Commenting on second video - his trot looked lovely, not tense at all and seemed to be stepping through well. Not quite as keen on his canter, but video only showed a tiny bit at the end, just looked a bit long and not connected.

I imagine that he tenses up though inside the dressage arena, otherwise he would be getting bettwe marks????

Fiona