Dressage schooling help please??

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MrsMagoo

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Ok, so im currently riding Star in a KK snaffle which she seemed to go well in, but recently she has got really strong and heavy, also leans alot on the left rein, especially noticable in canter work where she doesnt feel like shes relaxing or bending at all - so has anyone got any advice for a new bit to try maybe and excercises which could help?

Also - noticed tonight that her bit seems to be a bit lower then usual (maybe the leather has streched), would this make a difference with her way of going???

Thanks x
 
Hi LadyMagoo- if your horses bit is too low it wont help matters such as her feeling like she's leaning- pop it up a hole and see how she is. You could always give her a try in something else such as a hanging cheek- she may have also got a bit familiar with the KK? sometimes they welcome a change.
Good Luck!
When are you out next?
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We changed Diva from a KK to a Nue Scheule (SIC?) intermeidate bit with slightly curved bars and a lozenge. Virtually identical to the KK but just a bit more streamlined and half the price
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The dentist said she had quite a fat tongue and could probably do with more room!
She seems much happier and lighter in it but then I changed her noseband from a padded crank to a drop at around the same time so it might be a combination of the two?
 
i wouldnt advise a hanging cheek as this is poll pressure and if she is already leaning on the bit it wont help at all!!

I think you just need to do loads and loads of transitions with her from trot/walk/trot and trot/halt/trot - i mean around 20 round the school each time and no less. This will really help her to engage behind and lighten off the forehand. When she gets strong in canter just lots of little half halts down the outside rein which will help to lighten her in front - also shoulderfore in canter down the long sides will help engage the hind quarters and lighten infront aswell.

When was her back last done? It sounds like she might need a bit of physio if she really is that stiff down one side. Lots of changes of rein with over exaggerated change of bend will help to loosen her up tho. Also large circles on the rein she is stiff on, and really open your inside rein right up and use your inside leg to push her into the outside hand and to get her to bend around your inside leg properly.
 
By the way LadyMagoo im not out this wk end, my horses have had the week off as ive been ill with a nasty sickness bug- better now tho!!
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im just saying that i dont understand why you suggested it as its poll action which is not what she needs as she is saying Star is heavy on the forehand, so a bit with poll action is just going to make her heavier.

Its nothing to do with being open minded
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Good advice, thanks
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Was trying that method last night and also leting her strech out in walk and trot which is what we were doing in our lesson...I think i just need more patience, as I tend to get frustrated and give up lol
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Dont think i really make a very good dressage rider haha

Had her back done maybe a month or 2 ago so fairly recent! And she had her teeth checked about 4wks ago to
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Ive been lunging her in a Pessoa maybe once a week for about 10/15mins after normal lunging, do you reckon this could be making her worse?? what do you reckon??
 
[ QUOTE ]
We changed Diva from a KK to a Nue Scheule (SIC?) intermeidate bit with slightly curved bars and a lozenge. Virtually identical to the KK but just a bit more streamlined and half the price
smile.gif

The dentist said she had quite a fat tongue and could probably do with more room!
She seems much happier and lighter in it but then I changed her noseband from a padded crank to a drop at around the same time so it might be a combination of the two?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeh i'd say Star has a fairly big tongue in her mouth hence why i picked the KK as i thought it was fairly slim. She is just in a flash at the moment, not sure about changing that!! So whats the Neue schule one you got??

Also do you reckon cause we are asking more of her in lessons etc, its just maybe some stroppyness and tension?
 
i cant see that the pessoa should make her worse, do you loosen it right off and let her walk round in full stretch after shes worked in it for 10mins? If you dont id advise that you do - i do with both mine as it lets them relax and stretch out properly.

Archie is having his back done every 2-3months at the moment, but im paranoid about backs
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Patience is definately needed in dressage!! Lots and lots of circles and transitions/serpentines/changes of rein/changes up and down the pace etc are all good exercises too
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I've just swapped my lad who sounds simil;ar to your mare (except it's the right rein) from a KK Ultra to a Neue Schule Verbidend as although he went nicely in the KK he seemed to lean less in a JP loosering with the curved mouthpiece. I liked the action of the KK with the lozenge though and thought the Verbidend was a mix of both - had it for 3 weeks now and he seems better
 
Yeh, well i undo it and let her walk round on a strech for a while and I have been trying to get to strech properly when under saddle as well - instead of just sticking her neck out lol..

You and me both about backs - soon as something changes i also panick about the back, especially after my last horse having all the problems! Nightmare a....
 
From Frogpool's site:
Neue Schule Team-Up Bit (Ref:4410)
12mm mouthpiece is available with 55mm bradoon or 70mm snaffle rings - 16mm mouthpiece 70mm snaffle rings. Intermediate design, enhances the bend and turning aids. Offers tongue relief.

To be fair Diva also twists her jaw slightly so we decided to try the drop noseband to iron out any kinks. She is much better
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so unless Star is doing this I would leave her flash as it is.

Maybe in your lessons she is beginning to use herself correctly she could be showing some muscle fatigue bit like when you try a new class at the gym...

Mark has been working in shorter bursts with me and Diva and giving her plenty of rest in between as well as allowing her to stretch down and out before picking her back up.

It is probably just some readjustment on both parts to get used to a new way of going.
 
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