DR schooling on my ex racer *video* any tips?

Saxon_Jasmine

Saxon_Jasmine

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I've attached 2 videos, one of her trotting and one of her cantering. She is being worked in the equiami riding aid (doesn't force or hold the head down and goes slack when horse acepts bridle).

What do you think of her? I know my upper body position isn't great, so feel free to critique me and her (not too harsh though please!)

The videos take a few secs to load.

Thank you :)



 
I personally wouldnt be using any sort of 'training aid' she needs to build up the correct muscle through schooling properly. she looks nice and I dont think she needs that equi thingy to be honest!
 
i agree with the others about the training aid, its putting her to much onto her forehand especially in canter which wont help your upper body possition and vice versa. i have an ex racer and know how hard it is getting them to muscle up correctly, i have been using a pessoa on mine then working long and low when ridden and slowing bringing the him up onto the contact into competition position. bring your upper body back and lift your tummy button up and lengthen your leg (weight down through your heal) and it might just lift her up abit. good luck!!
 
Agree with all above too, she is on her forehand, in canter she's swinging her hind quarters inward and ur losing her through her inside shoulder. Lots of circle work, transitions and lateral work to get her moving away from ur leg.

Nice horse tho, u make a good combination!
 
The equiami has was designed with ex racers and I have a friend who know's the lady who desinged it, so have throughly researched it. I know that I need to do lots of circles, etc, I wasn't really asking what I need to do, just what she looks like at the moment.

The equiami isn't like normal training aids (research it if you're interested) and it only needs to be used for 20mins, once a week. So I think it is doing her more good than harm.

Thanks :)
 
I think that when you asked for tips, people thought you were asking what you need to do. Their tips have been to lose the training aid. I would have said the same to be honest as i agree that she is too much on the forehand. But as you don't want to hear that I'll not say anything :-)
 
Hmm... we put our ex-racehorse in draw reins when he was still in the knowing nothing stage as he just didn't get what was being asked and it really helped. This was with a very experienced rider. A training aid helps a lot and there's nothing wrong with them used well.

Once your horse is stronger she'll find it easier to hold herself properly. She is very cutte and willing though! Good luck with her.
 
I don't think you are welcoming the critique at all - For you or your horse. Its not fair on people if you ask them for opinions and then get all defensive.

Saying that, I do like your horse.
 
Last edited:
chestnuttymare said:
I think that when you asked for tips, people thought you were asking what you need to do. Their tips have been to lose the training aid. I would have said the same to be honest as i agree that she is too much on the forehand. But as you don't want to hear that I'll not say anything :-)
Click to expand...

same. your post heading asks for 'tips' well my tip was loose the equi whatever its called. but since you wont then im not sure wshat it is you want us to say!
 
tbh i dont believe in using training aids to help get them in an outline as i feel it just pulls there head in! have you tryed transitions on a circle? i found it helped get my ex racer pushing from behind :)
 
I can see that not many people seem to like the aid, however I only use it for 20mins once a week. I feel it has really helped her as she is now starting to lower her head and engage during flatwork schooling (twice a week without the aid). The design of the aid ensures that once the horse lowers her head, all the pressure is taken off, which acts as a positive reinforcement for the horse, helping them to remember to lower their head in the future.

I do school her twice a week with no aid and she also gets lunged in the equiami lunging aid (similar to a persoa) one a week. She is currently doing lots of circles, transitions, and we're starting lateral work next week :)

I can see she is slightly on the forehand so I will sort that out with my instructor.

Thanks :)
 
I have an ex racer who had no muscle and was totally unbalanced, legs all over the place. I put him in a Market Harborough, really unstressfull, doesnt hold head at all. We worked really hard on lateral work, ever decreasing circles to help balance and just walk and trot until all of a sudden he just came right. Now we are ready to try new things and teach him to jump!! We not do not need MH as he works from behind just from my seat and once he is warmed up. Still use MH on hacks though to maintain topline. Good luck
 
you asked how she was looking and we have told you, i think you are heading in the right direction, that training aid works like most with pressure and release, and as iv just found out with my ex racer whos under vet investigation that there is a difference between dropping the head and relasing the pressure of the aid and engaging, to engaging the whole back (lifting up) and engaging the hind end tracing up and over and dropping the head. but if youv got an instuctor then they will be able to see that from the floor if thats the case.
 
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