CC our flatwork progress :)

[bigboyrocky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eR1ONHAOz0

this is the fairly new boy who ive had 2 months.
Before we WERE GIVEN HIM he hadnt been ridden for over 2yrs and before that only hacked intermittantly for about 6/7yrs

Hes been schooling for about a month and a half now, but had a week or two off due to the weather.

Excuse the high hands! and the school was very uneven hence tripping every so often
we still need to build lots of muscle but he has nice paces imo and a lovely attitude ooh and i know he leans on me a bit and tilts his head to the right a bit, but were working on it! any other comments or tips welcome
(he is 17.2 btw - im suprised i dont look like a dot on him! )

 

[lindsayH]

What a lovely horse (GIVEN HIM?!!!) and you look fab on him, a really nice rider. I personally prefer hands a bit high than this thing you seem to see a lot of these days, people riding with hands on their thighs! He seems a bit fidgety and overbent, but as you said very early days yet. What's he like without the flash? Does he get his tongue over the bit or something?

Overall, a horse I would be proud to have in my stable! Look forward to hearing how you get on with him.

 

[FestiveBoomBoom]

ooooh he's a little (well big actually) cracker! What a gorgeous boy and he looks like he's going to be something very special with a bit of time. He's gonna be floating across that school in no time at all with paces like that and you say he was given to you!? VERY jealous! Well done so far, he looks like the type who listens and leans quickly so I'm sure you're gonna have a great time with him. You have a lovely position too and look like you ride quietly and effectively so well done!

 

[Munchkin]

Gorgeous, who gave him to you and would they like to donate any others?

Personally I'd have him working in a longer, lower frame, moving forwards from your leg to hand and with more room to lift and strengthen the shoulder. At the moment he's just being fiddled into a false outline, pulled onto the forehand and it's preventing his forward movement, causing him to evade the contact and dish slightly.

He is lovely though, best of luck with him

 

[royal]

He has got an amazing trot and looks like a lovely boy.....just wondered tho, have his teeth been checked as he is holding is head to one side (as you pointed out) and I've seen this before due to teeth problems....not a criticism, just interested so no offence meant!!

Its a real shame he dishes slightly as I would love to see him in a show ring! Tho I suspect he maybe ear marked for dressage looking at your style of riding and his cracking paces?

Is he finding the working in an outline hard tho?? Again just interested as you said he's basically done nothing for 2 years and no schooling for quite a while before that?

Can't believe you were given him!!

 

[bigboyrocky]

thanks guys

his teeth were checked about 7months ago i think, so could be something to do with his head being tilted - maybe a good idea to get him cheacked

we brought him to event actually but were moving him to a diff yard soon and the owner is an int dressage rider and trainer so no doubt most of our time will be spent schooling!

he is finding it easier than i thought he would working how he is, but were not working him for much more than about 5 mins before letting him stretch again. and we have him in a grackle as he gets a little bit strong espec in canter so it gives me a bit more controll

thankyou everyone for the lovely comments

 

[MrsMozart]

[ QUOTE ]
Gorgeous, who gave him to you and would they like to donate any others?

Personally I'd have him working in a longer, lower frame, moving forwards from your leg to hand and with more room to lift and strengthen the shoulder. At the moment he's just being fiddled into a false outline, pulled onto the forehand and it's preventing his forward movement, causing him to evade the contact and dish slightly.

He is lovely though, best of luck with him

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't want to hijack the post, but I'm interested in M's observation. It's hard to get Dizz to stretch down, she tends to over bend and go behind the bit. She had a reasonable amount of schooling the year she was backed ('08), but very little since then as I wasn't allowed to do anything but hack her, preferably in straight lines (vets orders). Now we have the green light to 'go for it' and I will start up lessons again when she can sustain half an hour's work with me on her

.

Sorry for any hijacking!

I like the look of your lad OP. There is something about him

and despite his size, you don't look at all pea-on-pod-ish

.

 

[little_critter]

I'm no expert (in-fact a novice so feel free to put me right) but he looks a smidge stilted to me - I think I'd prefer to see him stride out with a little more purpose (and impulsion?) I think he looks naturally capable of a 'bigger' trot.
Probably linked to the reply which said to work him looser and lower before asking for an outline.

 

[bigboyrocky]

haha lctrouble you are right

he does naturally have a bigger trot than that, i just need to develop it, schooling him longer, lower and with more impulsion - pretty good for a so called novice!

haha x