Finally moving!

TheHairyOne

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Just felt the need to share my great weekend, when for the first time ever my lovely horse decided to actually be forward in a test. Ok, so we are pottering about at the heady heights of prelim but his tests have been around 60% before, full of comments such as 'lacking inpulsion', 'needs to be more forward' etc.

Its been rather frustrating as he is a lovely horse, but feels the need to only do what he has to do. This has led to me over riding a bit (a lot sometimes!) and us getting stuck in a bit of a rut.

Well, he got a 3 week holiday september, i have jumped him a bit more than normal since i got back and have been very disciplined with myself and nagging (still a wip!).

So the warm up was a bog. He hated it. Things were not looking good. Off we go to the test arena, say hello to the judge, go for a trot around and ge chooses canter...this is new!!

Test was not perfect, his new found forward meant we lacked some bend. I have never been happier to see 'ran into canter' as a comment (he normally goes up and down on the spot!) and we broke canter at one point due to a complete lack of balance. Just over 67% with an 8 for our final mark! Good boy. Onwards and less upwards for the future. :)

And a grainy pic from a vid i am not brave enough to post. :)

12189996_10153128170660894_27644631453014341_n.jpg
 

Kati*89

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Well done! I too am waiting for that moment to come when we don't get lacking impulsion!
We got a little better at the weekend but I am still working too hard for that 5 mins!
 

tiggipop

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well done... i feel your pain.. i have a boy that is naturally backwards... but when he takes the handbrake off he can be amazing (at prelim / novice level!!) x x
 

TheHairyOne

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I was indeed at Wellie! Early morning so warm up was boggy and foggy. :) I admire the dtm people, i half thought about it, but dudnt have the patience to sort it out!

I feel for everyone with backwards horses. Its so irritating and i have tried a lot from feed (made him fat!) to different instuctors (some of which made him confussed!) but patience and fitness are seeming to be the key. I have no doubt that this is not yet 'cured', but its nice to know he will! :)
 

monte1

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I was indeed at Wellie! Early morning so warm up was boggy and foggy. :) I admire the dtm people, i half thought about it, but dudnt have the patience to sort it out!

LOL.... it was our debut and only third ever dressage test, so I was bricking myself. but i have to say it was brilliant fun!
I feel for you, I now have a rather tense horse, so although he is usually forward we struggle with that instead... there is always something ...
 

TheHairyOne

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LOL.... it was our debut and only third ever dressage test, so I was bricking myself. but i have to say it was brilliant fun!
I feel for you, I now have a rather tense horse, so although he is usually forward we struggle with that instead... there is always something ...

So I had a sneaky look at the pics and he looks great, but quite alert! :)

Looks a lot nicer than my 3rd test for sure and to music as well! Well done! :)

And thank you everyone else! He is a lovely boy, and if we never crack the dressage he jumps higher than i'd ever want to so we'll go eventing and have fun!
 

only_me

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Well done! In the past I've also had the pain of a horse that didn't go forward in a test.

I have found that doing a lot of walk to canter/ walk to medium canter transitions work very well when going around the arena - certainly puts them on their toes! :)
 

LiffWee93

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congrats on making progress, i too know the struggle of a horse you have to keep from having a nap on the job! it is so difficult to ride a test quietly when you have to do so much!
i found that completely taking my legs off, until they drop behind you - then a short sharp kick or tap with the whip just the once immediately sends them forward - on a long rein holding a neckstrap and meaning it - even if they canter off/have a strop, and repeat till you are blue in the face - it really worked for my idle pony, he ended up being super responsive, but never quick mind!!
i too had to warm up in the bog at welly, my little pony was up to her fetlocks in it and hated it too -- im sure she moved so well in the dukes hall because she all of a sudden could!! hahaha :)
 
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