Encouraging horse to soften into bridle?

[Jinx94]

Hi all,

Tris and I had a really positive weekend. We entered two classes at a low key dressage competition at our yard, intro A and prelim 7. I was especially interested to see how we'd do in the intro test as I could directly compare it to our last one.

We had some great comments regarding his rhythm, paces and my riding and got 68.7% which put us in 3rd! Totally chuffed to bits. The judge commented that he needs to soften to the bridle more, which I was aware of and have been trying to work on, but I thought that it would be better have a nice forward test than lots of fussing and an inconsistent contact.

So.. I know that he can work round when I've done a lot of lateral work, but there's a lot of inconsistency in his frame. Do I continue with doing spirals, leg yield and shoulder fore? Or are there other things that I should be doing? Tris is quite thick through the gullet, so I know that it isn't as easy for him to flex which is partly why I've avoided gadgets as I don't want him to start falling onto the forehand to compensate. Does that make any sense?

Any advice (including get an instructor 😂) is very much appreciated x

 

[TWMD]

My horse is exactly the same. Advice would be get a good dressage instructor and lots and lots and lots of suppling exercises. Lateral work is good, spirals, lots and lots of transitions, ride off the track so he doesn't use the wall/fence to balance himself.

Once he is more supple through the body he will become softer and lighter in the hand and more consistent to the contact

 

[Mule]

Hi all,

Tris and I had a really positive weekend. We entered two classes at a low key dressage competition at our yard, intro A and prelim 7. I was especially interested to see how we'd do in the intro test as I could directly compare it to our last one.

We had some great comments regarding his rhythm, paces and my riding and got 68.7% which put us in 3rd! Totally chuffed to bits. The judge commented that he needs to soften to the bridle more, which I was aware of and have been trying to work on, but I thought that it would be better have a nice forward test than lots of fussing and an inconsistent contact.

So.. I know that he can work round when I've done a lot of lateral work, but there's a lot of inconsistency in his frame. Do I continue with doing spirals, leg yield and shoulder fore? Or are there other things that I should be doing? Tris is quite thick through the gullet, so I know that it isn't as easy for him to flex which is partly why I've avoided gadgets as I don't want him to start falling onto the forehand to compensate. Does that make any sense?

Any advice (including get an instructor 😂) is very much appreciated x

I'd try reposting this in the tack room. It will get a lot more views there.

 

[JFTDWS]

Um, I think this is perfectly placed in C&T - it's what C&T is for!

Lateral work is hugely important in my book - learning to move laterally from the book will develop suppleness and (if done evenly and correctly) straightness, and if it is already working to develop his posture (I'm hesitant to say roundness, I'm less concerned about the head, more about his back, his core, his neck muscles and acceptance of contact), then I'd advise cracking on as you are and moving onto more sophisticated lateral work in time. Even working on a circle should involve lateral work, or the basics thereof - so it shouldn't be limited to the more complex work - you don't need huge angle for lateral work to be effective.

But, y'know, a good trainer is more useful than a drunken idiot on an internet forum, of course

 

[Carrottom]

Firstly well done on your scores. It sounds as if you're working along the right lines. I usually take a step back when riding a test to schooling at home.
If you can find an instructor who understands what you are working on they may be able to suggest more variations on exercises.
Sometimes, after a class I have nabbed the judge for a brief chat and have found them to be very helpful with suggestions.

 

[Jinx94]

Thanks all!

JFTD-WS, can't vouch for how drunk you were or not, but I definitely wouldn't ever think of you as an idiot 😂 I tried to pick my words carefully and went with "roundness" as I meant the whole body, but posture is a better way of putting it!

I'm lucky that the judge was my YO, and she also teaches so I'm booking in a few lessons

We had a short schooling session yesterday, using lots of transitions (I'm guilty of not doing enough) and introduced halt to trot - that made a difference! I can feel that we're getting there with his posture, it's just a little out of reach at the moment.

 

[ycbm]

I'd try reposting this in the tack room. It will get a lot more views there.

I agree with this.

'Competiting and training' is 'the right' forum but a lot of users either don't ever look at it or maybe they assume it will be too high level for them and their unaffiliated Prelim horses for them to offer advice. Tack room always seems to get a lot more response. No harm in putting it in both places.

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