Desensitising to the leg exercises needed!!

[mollymurphy]

As the title really! Apart from just sticking my leg on and leaving it there until she eventually runs herself into the ground

, does anyone have any other things that will reduce the hyper-sensitivity? Have also tried lunging with the stirrups flapping, but that doesnt do anything.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Lou. x

 

[pixiebee]

fill a pair of tights with sand and tie them onto a roller and let her get used to being on her sides???? i'll think of some more bizzarre ideas later!! hehe!!!!!!!!!

 

[cazza]

ride western style, then slowly introduce the leg.

 

[Sparklet]

I think I am missing the point here really. My horse is well schooled but if I put my leg on and left it there she would also run herself into the ground. Surely you remove the aid once you have the reaction you want. My advice would be to do lots of transtions removing the leg as soon as the horse moves away until she understands.

Mares want to please so I suspect she is just not quite understanding what you want.

 

[mollymurphy]

I see what you're saying, but my instructor has said she is TOO sensitive. She's the type that will plod along on a long rein, but as soon as you take up a contact, she'll speed up / jog. When you put your leg on, she just sees it as the aid for "go faster", so it's impossible to try and get her to do anything else, for example, lateral work. Hmmmmmm........

 

[Sparklet]

Still think it is an education issue - transitions until she understands would be my advice

 

[mollymurphy]

Okie dokie, we shall start doing millions of them then and see what happens. Thank you!

 

[SillyMare]

Lateral work to get her used to the idea that leg doesn't always mean forward.

Start with turn on the forehand (to get her used to the general idea) - you may need someone on the floor to touch her hock with a whip until she gets the dgeneral idea.

Shoulder in and leg yield are useful 'easy' exercises for her too once she understands about moving away from the leg.