Encouraging a young horse to work the right muscles?

[ShadowFlame]

Question's in the title really - those of you who have worked with youngsters, how do you find works best in encouraging them to work properly? I'm finding my lad is working long and low in walk, but the minute we go into trot we tend to do an unside down giraffe impression. He's better at canter than he is trot... any tips or is it purely a case of keep schooling?

 

[aldato_daz]

IMO, keep schooling. If he is young then he probably has not developed enough muscle yet to carry himself properly.. Keep schooling and let him find himself, his balance etc. and it should hopefully come naturally. Only once he has found his balance can he learn to carry himself and therefore the correct musculature will follow. Forcing them in to an outline too early when they are not strong enough will only encourage the wrong muscles to develop and in turn cause stiffness and inefficient gaits.

That's what I think

C

 

[showpony]

Ok I am no expert BUT I have a 4 YO.
Suggest lots & lots of circles, figures of eight etc.
Flexion Exercises
Lunge in Side Reins.

And really give with your hands once horse accepts contact.

 

[scribble]

I also use bungee reins. they are elastic cords go form the girth between thier front legs to either side of the bit and over the top of the head. They can put their head up if they want so not restrictive like draw reins but it does encourage the correct outline. they must be going forward first though as you cant do anything without them forward and off your leg.

 

[Klix]

+1 with showpony's comment, iv found loads of transitions circles, serpentines ect have really helped my girlies suppleness and muscle development .. She's only 5 and we only school 2/3 times a week, the rest of the time it's hacking and hillwork