Cob rides with a 'flat' neck......

M

Mongoose11

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 March 2012
Messages
5,837
Visit site
Hi All,

Some advice please. I am trying to really start making progress with my mare (heavy cob - rising 12). I am starting up lessons again next week as I have decided that this year will be our first time out (even if it will only be a local show).

While schooling her today and then watching my sharer ride for the second part of the session I can see that she rides with a flat neck, she isn't poking her nose out anymore but she certainly isn't arching over or bringing her head down. It is almost like she can't. Should I be overly concerned about this at this stage? Does she need to? Can we achieve an outline with a flatter neck?

Might be silly questions but questions nonetheless.....

xx
 
Hmmm... I am going to make a diagnosis based on your description of this flat neck...

your mare seems to be... asleep.

before you wake her up, it may be wise to do the usual HHO recommendations of BTT (Back tack n teeth) then progress to the more expensive ones of getting a teacher out to assess the whole shebang.

As for outline with flat neck... technically, no. That isn't what an outline technically is. Just get the basics sorted and go from there... :)

Kind regards,

tallysodoff.
 
Tally - that wasn't helpful. Perhaps I didn't give enough info.

Definitely awake, very responsive, rushes a little, doesn't soften through her neck. Back fine - actually having saddler tomorrow as I would like to try something with a deeper seat.

Perhaps I will wait to see what the new instructress thinks next week.

Constructive ideas welcome! :rolleyes:

x
 
I think that is the best idea you have come up with Billie...

I think you should wait and see what instructress thinks. responsive doesn't equal a good working outline and this flat neck description makes me think no engagement which leads to the BTT thing.. you see?

Hell, any horse can be responsive but to what exactly? Forward? Sideways? Backwards? Or is it JUST responding? Rushing.... why? Where to? What for? or importantly what from... ?

I am being constructive in my own little useless way :)
 
She sounds on her forehand - which is very common in heavier breeds. I wouldn't worry about what her head and neck is doing - instead focus on her stepping under and working from behind. I'd suggest half halts and lots of transitions to get her really working from behind. Don't let your reins get too long either, as this won't help her get off her forehand.
 
*sigh* Perhaps less experienced riders should wear some kind of dunces cap and have a symbol on their posts so that the more experienced (but tainted with sarcasm and slightly miserable) posters can be warned prior to reading.

Tally, you may think that you are helping but all the bitchiness and back biting that I have seen on this forum since I joined very recently is putting me right off and before someone else jumps on the bandwagon - I have got thick skin and I am well aware that people can post as they wish. I guess I am frustrated becasue I am now left feeling like 'God I wish I hadn't bothered' where as I am genuinely trying to learn and want to get the best out of my mare.

Urgh!
 
Thank you Springtime - that was really helpful.

Thing is - my last instructor really got me riding with much shorter reins, lots of sponging to get her to lift off my hands because yes - she is on the forehand BUT I decided to play this week with a longer rein and she was much more sprightly, as if I had been holding her back. With quiet hands she ploughs on but with noisier hands (changing to wider or higher, sponging) she comes of her forehand and lightens right up, so working more forward with longer reins but not coming from her back end as much. What I want is the back end and the forward - I can't seem to get them both quite right! She becomes such a lot of hard work, does this just need time and consistency?

Perhaps I should go back to the shorter reins tomorrow to compare.

Thanks though!

x
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I must have the wrong glasses on as I didn't read any of what you did in either response.

Why not post a vid or photos of you riding, give us something more to go on, though from what you have posted so far, it does sound like she's totally on the forehand and your instructor will be able to determine the best way forward.
 
Sorry Mrs, guess I have been tainted tonight by reading post after post of uppity advice from some miserable regulars on here.
 
Dexter, I posted asking for genuine advice and got something cryptic and a bit unhelpful in my opinion.

Clearly my horse wasn't asleep and suggesting that I get its back, tack and teeth checked before I woke it up was just silly?
 
No, not silly. The usual response on here is to get back, teeth, and saddle checked :D. Quite often works.

The asleep bit comes from the description, which has her heavy in the forehand, which is a sleepy and chilled way of going requiring little effort :cool: :D
 
Billie1007 said:
So my horse is heavy on the forehand because she has a problem with her back, tack or teeth?
Click to expand...

Quite possibly... it is most often the root of all problems. Sorry if you found that offensive, it is not meant to be, no matter who says it.

The truth, most probably, is that she is not being ridden through enough and is literally "flat". Can't lift her shoulders... or her back... or unwilling to flex her poll... so why is that? You need to find out.
 
Thanks Tally, it was the 'talking to a moron' tone that got me in your first post.

Yes, I agree with those points. To me, because I know her it feels like stubborness or laziness. Well I have the saddler tomorrow and a new instructress on Wednesday so I will ask her to ride her/watch me and go from there.

Thanks!!
 
I think a few of the replies have been phrased poorly and have come across as pretty rude - but there is a good point, make sure everything is ok before doing anything else.

If everything is ok I can try to suggest a few things. As you've mentioned that when you've lengthened your reins she's now flatter I would shorten them up again, as you've mentioned. If this then means that she's lazy/backwards thinking then you probably haven't got a complete proper outline (more she's just holding her head nicely than actually tracking up and working through her back from behind), but this is me assuming as obviously I've never seen her working. I would mention this to your instructor as with first hand personal experience of you and your horse they will have a much better opinion than anyone on here.

If she is tracking up then it's possible she just hasn't developed the muscles yet. These will come with time the more schooling you do so assuming everything is ok I wouldnt worry. Possibly try a Pessoa but shouldn't be the first port of call.

All I can assume/suggest is that as soon as you lengthen your reins she's taking advantage of that and reaching into them, and hence the 'flat' neck. But definitely talk to your instructor and get everything checked.

Good luck :)
 
Thank you hcm88. That is helpful, I think I need to find a place between short and long so that she will move forward but still pushes through from her back end. Need to have a play around I think as riding shorter she seemed to bring her head up, now long she is tanking along a bit so I need to find a happy medium. When riding her I can feel those lovely moments of floatyness but can't sustain it.....

Will keep trying and working, like you say this will take time for her to develop in the correct way. She is nearly 12 but hasn't been worked like this before but I can see that she is much more capable than she lets on!

Thanks x
 
Hmmmmm, will try to be helpful here sorry if it comes across wrong. This is based on my cob experiences!

From your description, on a longer rein your horse falls onto her forehand but you feel is more forward. That makes me wonder whether impulsion and speed are being confused here. I doubt she will be flexing through her hocks and stepping under her in this mode, but is pulling herself along on her forehand. This is an easier way of working for her.

On a shorter rein, she feels lazy. That maybe an evasion, as she will find working more through difficult until her muscles build up. You may have to work really hard, and be really consistent to improve this. There are lots of different exercises to help this, but with mine, I have to work them properly whatever we do, including hacking!

Or alternatively, she could struggle with working properly if she needs her teeth doing, her saddle doesn't fit, or her back is sore. Imagine trying to step through and round your back with a saddle that doesnt fit. Same would be true of any stiffness in her hocks.

Photos or a video would be really helpful, but you're right to get an instructor.

Just beware the call of "experts" who tell you your horse is lazy without considering whether any physical issues exist. Trust your instincts!
 
Thank you Gleeful, talking it through is really helping me to consider it carefully. Your second paragraph is exactly right - speed not impulsion and it feels forward and easier for me but not 'right'.

Sounds like there is lots of work to do! Exciting but bloody hard work!

Thanks!

x
 
Billie1007 said:
So my horse is heavy on the forehand because she has a problem with her back, tack or teeth?
Click to expand...

I had a mare that rode just as you say - had her checked out as she was soo heavy on the forehand and just didn't step under properly, turned out she had bone spavins in both hocks, pretty advanced too, she was the same age as yours too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top