Forward and roundness together help please?

[pipper]

I would like a little advise please....
I have a lovely little WB mare that I compete at dressage - she does a nice test at Novice level. BUT i struggle with her - in that - I can get forward, and I can get roundness but not both together! I seem to have to forfit one for the other! NOW I know it is me and my riding but can you recomend any tricks/tecniques/help in getting both together.
I will be bringing this up with my trainer when I next have a lesson, but i dont seem to have this problem when she is standing there yelling leg on hands up ect ect LOL!!
Any quick fix tips welcome!

 

[catwithclaws]

i have this problem too, when MM goes round and soft she drops behind the leg, but when she's going forward she does a lovely impression of a giraffe - so will watch with interest

 

[Zargon_91]

have you tried riding in spurs? Ive found with mine if i wear just little rollerball spurs i can keep him in front of my leg without compromising my position- which in turn keeps him round.

 

[pipper]

Yes have tried spurs and they do help with the forwardness but she hates them and puts her head up (hollows) when they are applied - used the rollerball ones.

 

[Luci07]

so interesting that it works when you have a lesson.... maybe ask your trainer to really spell out what she is asking you to do in order to achieve a horse working forward and correctly? and play around with the spurs, sometimes they don't like the rollerball and prefer a smaller spur.