Downhill Horse? I need help please dressage folk!

[GraceDawson]

Hello all,

I will admit I am a novice, more RC type rider but have started into dressage for the first time in my life really.

I have just finished my second prelim class ever with a respectable 7th out of 22 on my 4yr old Fjord horse. I was so pleased as we couldnt practice the test in the field (without boards or markers I may add) because it was so wet, so for the past week all I have done is plod around on a hack. I have no facilities!

However, I was pleased with my centre lines (first 8's) but they judge said he was downhill.

I have come across this term before, but I am not fully aware what it means? Can someone shed some light and tips for a more uphill horse?

A bit of background - my lad is starting to soften more in hand on the flat, and is 'coming on the bit' and tracking up, but when he is being lazy and slow he puts little effort in and misses tracking up. Todays prelim 10 test felt lovely compared to alot of times I ride him - soft in hand, bending nice and just being obedient. What should I feel in a downhill horse?

Our canter work is coming on tonnes, and he boings into it now (if you know wha I mean) instead of running into it and using his hind legs to power himself through the transition.

I guess I just need some advice, as I do not have an instructor (simply cannot afford one and with no facilities on my yard) and noone on my yard is knowledgeable and are also fun riders.

 

[kerilli]

downhill means that the horse looks lower in front as it works. some horses are built this way, most go this way at first as babies, so i'd not really worry about a 4 yr old going like that tbh! as long as he isn't feeling really heavy in the hand (a classic symptom of being downhill, as they literally rely on the hands for a bit of balance, instead of balancing themselves and being in self-carriage), and is going happily forward in his own rhythm (not too fast, not too slow - this is the important thing at this point imho) and reasonably straight on straight lines, curved through body on curved lines, i'd be happy with him at the moment.
lots of subtle half-halts to help him rebalance, lots of transitions (both from one pace to another, and within the pace, e.g. from working trot to more forward trot and back to working again), a bit of easy lateral work (leg yielding out to the track in walk, for e.g.) will help.
Engagement (working from behind, stepping through enough from behind to take more weight off front legs and become 'rear wheel drive'!) is the answer, and this just takes lots of time and training, and growing and strengthening.
hope that helps a bit!

 

[GraceDawson]

Thanks for that.

He is very light in hand now after a lot of work and training with him from a young age. He has nice rythm in trot especially (really a driving horse breed), his walk needs more practice as he thinks he can just scuttle along and canter is getting much better as mentioned.