Getting ex pointer to go forward into the hand....

[wizzi901]

HI all

I am currently starting from scratch with a 12 year old ex pointer who understands any increase in speed currently means gallop!

Gradually with lots of lunging and schooling just in walk and trot he is beginning to come into my hand and offering to go forward in the slower gaits.

He has the slowest walk you have ever seen, which is now coming on and stretching out more, he has stop and go speed!

Any ideas other than what i am doing on how I can encourage him to stretch out, track up and go fowards without jogging and trying to run on, whilst in walk and trot?

He tends to sit behind the bit until cantering etc, it is all he knows, tonight he came well into my hand and actually offered some forward impulsive movement in walk and trot for the first time.

He has the most fantastic jumping ability and I would eventually like to jump him unaffiliated, but with some degree of control!

Anyone?

 

[mylittlepony]

Hi, i've spent many years riding and reschooling pointers and racers and mostly it is a matter of patience! What I would suggest though is that you try a really light rubber snaffle to encourage him to go forward into a really light contact and i've found that these type of horses go best with just a Cavesson noseband as it is one less thing to try and evade.
Good luck!
Claire

 

[Bounty]

Ok then.... I'll go first!

Personally when i get the ex-racers and ex-polos home that tend to do the same i work them on the ground on long lines. It's so much easier to get them working from back to front with the line around their hindquarters. I include lots of transitions, and everytime they try to rush of, i change the direction. I keep the sessions short, and usually 6 days a week.
Once they've settled within the paces i introduce poles. This helps establish their rythym, and gets them stretching down over their backs, and they then start to track up much better.
The ground work seems to de-program and relax them a lot, and a lot of the changes are really evident once you get up on top again. I reintroduce ridden work for just 10mins or so after a good long lining session to start with, and the change the ratio so that theyre doing more riding and less groundwork.
When i'm riding i tend to circle them fairly small, always using my legs and not pulling them around with my hand, if they start to rush, until they settle again.I say 'steady' and give a half halt before i circle them. Soon they will respond nicely to the half halt and voice aid alone.

Hope you do well with him. x

 

[wizzi901]

Thank you for your replies, I am sort of half way there with my thinking then!! He is lovely soul and well worth the effort. I am no expert but have been around horses for years and common sense tells me like my ex jumper, he needs to learn gradually the changes required, but short and regular rather than blowing his mind in long schooling sessions!

Funny you mention light bit, that was my thinking too, so he has nice rubber bit and a lot happier. So soft in his mouth bless him!

Will let you know how we get on x