MontyandZoom
Well-Known Member
I am now 18 months into my re-schooling of Zoom the nutty polo pony into Zoom the lovely allrounder (we WILL get there!).
The initial problems centered around two things:
1) Zoom couldn't walk or trot....just jog (although had a perfect collected canter!)
2) She had a huge amount of muscle on the underside of her neck and subsequently had the highest head carriage I've ever seen.
After a whole year of transitions, circles, transitions etc she has improved alot. She now moves forwards nicely off my leg, has three distinct gaits and has got used to the idea of flatwork.
The thing she still can't really get is that she doesn't have to have her head in the air the whole time! I started using a pessoa which helped develop topline but as soon as i got on it was back to stargazing! (back and tack checked!).
Anyhoo, I haven't wanted to resort to gadgets but I recently bought a De Gogue. I have lunged her in it on a loose setting and have now ridden once in it. What a difference!! It took her a couple of minutes to get used to it but then she went beautifully. I have kept sessions short and have warmed her up and cooled her off without it. After it has been on she still works beautifully through her back and is very relaxed.
Anyhoo, my question is - how often should I use it? I don't want to 'rely' on it but am not sure exactly how I should incorporate it into my riding. I usually ride twice a week (one hack, one schooling) and lunge twice a week. Should I just use it on the lunge? Should I use it for both sessions??
Sorry - it's turned out to be long but I have never really used training aids with her.
The initial problems centered around two things:
1) Zoom couldn't walk or trot....just jog (although had a perfect collected canter!)
2) She had a huge amount of muscle on the underside of her neck and subsequently had the highest head carriage I've ever seen.
After a whole year of transitions, circles, transitions etc she has improved alot. She now moves forwards nicely off my leg, has three distinct gaits and has got used to the idea of flatwork.
The thing she still can't really get is that she doesn't have to have her head in the air the whole time! I started using a pessoa which helped develop topline but as soon as i got on it was back to stargazing! (back and tack checked!).
Anyhoo, I haven't wanted to resort to gadgets but I recently bought a De Gogue. I have lunged her in it on a loose setting and have now ridden once in it. What a difference!! It took her a couple of minutes to get used to it but then she went beautifully. I have kept sessions short and have warmed her up and cooled her off without it. After it has been on she still works beautifully through her back and is very relaxed.
Anyhoo, my question is - how often should I use it? I don't want to 'rely' on it but am not sure exactly how I should incorporate it into my riding. I usually ride twice a week (one hack, one schooling) and lunge twice a week. Should I just use it on the lunge? Should I use it for both sessions??
Sorry - it's turned out to be long but I have never really used training aids with her.
