flatwork help... transition from side reins when lunging to riding?

[Flashbacksj]

I have been working with my horse (14yrs old) in an attempt to get him to work in a rounder frame.

To be fair to him he has been ridden (by me) for 10years without really ever being asked to work long and low or in an outline.

Last summer he had a number of weeks off... lost alot of muscle (Which was on his neack upside down) so i have used this as an oportunity to try and build him up again in a more correct way.

Through the winter i have been lunging him, oftern in side reins (with a bit of give in them), he has been working well in these, and has got the general idea in walk and trot when on the lunge...

the trouble starts when i am riding him...
its almost as if the higher level of contact confuses him and he just puts his head up and works incorrectly again...

So what can i do help him understand my contact is asking for the same as the side reins?

someone suggested long reining him.. would that help him understand the feel of me on the end of the rein pressure at the height he understands do you think... we have an indoor i would try it in...

its also been suggested that i try draw reins but im not sure thats the way to go with him, i want him to learn to drop himself not be forced to stay there how ever kind my hands are...

any ideas??

Thanks x

 

[kerilli]

umm, get his teeth and back done, and saddle checked, if you haven't already. i've known of a lot of cases where the horse was hollowing to say "i CAN'T go round" (for now) rather than "i SHAN'T", with the same (educated, patient) rider aboard. it's a symptom, not an evasion, in so many cases. it's the horse saying "i can't do that yet, because ____"
once those have been checked, book a lesson with a patient, kind dr trainer who will happily take the time to show you and him how to get him to work happily forward downwards to a soft absorbing contact. it's a knack, a system, a feel that becomes a habit, and it can be taught.
draw reins do not teach it. in situations like this i think they are the work of the devil. your instincts are right.

 

[Kenzo]

Agree having everthing checked is a good start but remember if your horse has not ever been ridden in the way your now aiming for then it will take time specially under saddle, having to undo all those muscles and learn to work the new ones and carry himself and you in new way, so it will take a while for him to adust, the longer it takes the better the result at the end of the day, so concentrate on asking him in walk and not expecting too much for too long, eventually as the months go by providing you are working him correctly it will all eventually fall into place.

 

[Flashbacksj]

Thanks for the replys... teeth were done 2 weeks ago... and his back is booked for monday! So should be no physical issue to stop us... will look into getting his saddle checked aswell.

He went from nothing to rounder in walk in just 2 weeks of consitent work in walk so im happy he has begun to understand, but i know its a long hard process.

Will steer clear of draw reins as i agree its not fair when his muscles will make it very hard work to be correct in his frame. i dont want to hurt him or make him resent it, i would much rather take 12 months getting him to work correctly because he wants to than force the issue too soon for him physically.

Do you think the long reins and the side reins when lunging are useful things to be doing then? or should i be looking to do this gadget free, but armed with some expert help?
TBH i have ridden other horses who know the ropes and have some basic knowledge of how it should feel and the questions i should be asking him, its more that he struggles to understand me, and i think i struggle to remain consitent which is why i have been using side reins to form a consistent contact.

 

[SVMel]

To be honest, if you are seeing an improvement when lunging in side reins then carry on, if he is happy in them it will help to build his muscles up. I have always lunged in side reins and never had a problem with any horse in them.
Everything has a purpose if used in the right way at the right time. One of my mares was allowed to run about with her ears in the riders mouth and do pretty much whatever, so we had some MAJOR tantrums when I started riding her as I like to school them to go correctly. She still has the odd one now but we're getting there. (she was 15 when I took her on)
I found a loose harbridge when starting ridden work suited her. Didn't pull her down but stopped me eating her ears and gave me more opportunity to get her working properly, Its just horses for courses, what suits one won't do another.

I agree that you're right to avoid the draw reins and take your time, if only more people were like you!!!!