Elbie
Well-Known Member
I am currently riding a 12 year old cobby cross that we have on loan. He hasn't done schooling for a long time (apparently) and I think he's just been a bit of a playaround pony.
When I first started schooling him he was VERY stiff and I think riding in a menage was a bit of a novelty for him - literally had to use all my might to get him to turn the corner before we crashed into the fence!
He's coming along well and now we have some turn! But although he isn't as stiff as a board anymore, he does still feel a bit stiff in his shoulders.
Canter work is a bit like riding a motorbike. LEAN on the corners! I try to collect him to balance more and using lots of inside leg to push him over and trying to get some inside bend, however, we spend each corner leaning in with the nose pointing out.
Does anyone have any tips/exercises that will help loosen him up and get him a bit more balanced in canter?
We do work on trot 20m circle, leg yielding in to a 10m then leg yield back out. He's getting the hang of that although we lose impulsion on the small circle. Its as if he doesn't quite understand how he's supposed to go faster but move his legs round on a small circle!
When I first started schooling him he was VERY stiff and I think riding in a menage was a bit of a novelty for him - literally had to use all my might to get him to turn the corner before we crashed into the fence!
He's coming along well and now we have some turn! But although he isn't as stiff as a board anymore, he does still feel a bit stiff in his shoulders.
Canter work is a bit like riding a motorbike. LEAN on the corners! I try to collect him to balance more and using lots of inside leg to push him over and trying to get some inside bend, however, we spend each corner leaning in with the nose pointing out.
Does anyone have any tips/exercises that will help loosen him up and get him a bit more balanced in canter?
We do work on trot 20m circle, leg yielding in to a 10m then leg yield back out. He's getting the hang of that although we lose impulsion on the small circle. Its as if he doesn't quite understand how he's supposed to go faster but move his legs round on a small circle!
