bethcandc
Member
I have been really trying to get my horse into an outline and its being proven very difficult. I try to alternate squeeze and play with my fingers and keep my leg, he does it a bit but not alot for long :/ Any tips would be grateful
Getting your horse into an outline
- Thread starter bethcandc
- Start date
mybuzz
Active Member
Ive just been getting my one into outline and alternative sqeezes didnt work so my instructor suggested i held both reigns firmly with my inside reign being a bit firmer so the horse finds it comfy to lower his head then let the inside reign loser when his head is lower as a reward, i have found this has worked well and now i only need to play with the inside reign to get his head down
hope this makes sense!
hope this makes sense!
bethcandc
Member
Thanks
I will try that
f_s_
Well-Known Member
Getting a horse to work in an outline is not about fiddling with your hands, and reins, it's about pushing your horse forward from your leg and seat and then containing the energy with your rein, on a light contact!
If your horse is not on the bit, try exercises to help him/her and try to push forward more with your leg and seat
If your horse is not on the bit, try exercises to help him/her and try to push forward more with your leg and seat
clairefeekerry1
Well-Known Member
the more i fiddle with reins the harder it gets, my instructer gets me to keep hands firm but light and stable and loads of leg!! now i just have to apply bit of leg and he works into the contact!! less rein more leg!!
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
My instructor trained a team for the Olypics, about three million years ago, and her advice is so simple.......
Forget the front end. You must concentrate on finding the horses 'engine'. I was told I am pootling along in 1st gear, but should be in 3rd gear. So, impulsion impulsion impulsion. She had me swap my whip into my outside hand, and tap his outside shoulder to unblock it. Its no good creating energy behind if its blocked in front. Furthermore, the horse need to build his own core muscles, and this takes time. Just as we build our own core muscles (like with Pilates), the horse can't carry himself if the muscle isn't there. Use lots and lots of transactions, and also lunging is exellent. Also lots of transition changes on the lunge.
You can't make the horse 'go in an outline' by fiddling with his mouth. He also need to be totally relaxed and supple. Any tension will hamper your effords. The outline you are trying to achieve is the end product, of lots and lots of hard work and patience (oh, and no schooling aids either - sorry)
Forget the front end. You must concentrate on finding the horses 'engine'. I was told I am pootling along in 1st gear, but should be in 3rd gear. So, impulsion impulsion impulsion. She had me swap my whip into my outside hand, and tap his outside shoulder to unblock it. Its no good creating energy behind if its blocked in front. Furthermore, the horse need to build his own core muscles, and this takes time. Just as we build our own core muscles (like with Pilates), the horse can't carry himself if the muscle isn't there. Use lots and lots of transactions, and also lunging is exellent. Also lots of transition changes on the lunge.
You can't make the horse 'go in an outline' by fiddling with his mouth. He also need to be totally relaxed and supple. Any tension will hamper your effords. The outline you are trying to achieve is the end product, of lots and lots of hard work and patience (oh, and no schooling aids either - sorry)
Gingerwitch
Well-Known Member
Agree with everything muddywellies and f_s say - but also dont fix youself looking for the "outline". What i mean is dont look down at the horse ride looking ahead and build up a "feel" for what what is going on. Also ride him "uphill" not "downhill" into the contact.
It can sometimes be very hard to accomplish on one particular horse, especially if you do not know what you are doing. Can your instructor get him into a correct outline (must admit if you are being asked to concentrate on fidling with the reins - i am not so sure she is the right person to be teaching you - she may be a very good rider but the way you are interpreting her comments on here, she does not appear to be able to explain things properly to you)- can you possibly beg a ride off a "schoolmaster" or go to a local good riding school.
Good luck and do not get hung up on this issue as being "tense" will make things worse
It can sometimes be very hard to accomplish on one particular horse, especially if you do not know what you are doing. Can your instructor get him into a correct outline (must admit if you are being asked to concentrate on fidling with the reins - i am not so sure she is the right person to be teaching you - she may be a very good rider but the way you are interpreting her comments on here, she does not appear to be able to explain things properly to you)- can you possibly beg a ride off a "schoolmaster" or go to a local good riding school.
Good luck and do not get hung up on this issue as being "tense" will make things worse
Gorgeous George
Well-Known Member
Mine was also forget what the front end is doing, ride with a good contact but really get him moving forward and working from behind - it really took me ages to get the hang of this but that with lots of transitions really helped.
Storminateacup
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Getting a horse to work in an outline is not about fiddling with your hands, and reins, it's about pushing your horse forward from your leg and seat and then containing the energy with your rein, on a light contact!
If your horse is not on the bit, try exercises to help him/her and try to push forward more with your leg and seat
[/ QUOTE ]
In total agreement with the above, but hold the outside rein firmly and ask for a bend just so you can see the inside eye and nostril slightly, give a few light sqeezes on the inside rein, if you horse gives you the rein then sightly free off the rein without losing the contact. That is the horses reward.
If he starts ploughing downwards and goes behind the vertical with his head, mine does this, then give with the inside rein a little and urge him foreward.
Don't forget your inside leg for slight give and outside leg for impulsion. It is always more leg and seat, than hand.
ie between hand and leg not one or the other, a harmonious balance!
Getting a horse to work in an outline is not about fiddling with your hands, and reins, it's about pushing your horse forward from your leg and seat and then containing the energy with your rein, on a light contact!
If your horse is not on the bit, try exercises to help him/her and try to push forward more with your leg and seat
[/ QUOTE ]
In total agreement with the above, but hold the outside rein firmly and ask for a bend just so you can see the inside eye and nostril slightly, give a few light sqeezes on the inside rein, if you horse gives you the rein then sightly free off the rein without losing the contact. That is the horses reward.
If he starts ploughing downwards and goes behind the vertical with his head, mine does this, then give with the inside rein a little and urge him foreward.
Don't forget your inside leg for slight give and outside leg for impulsion. It is always more leg and seat, than hand.
ie between hand and leg not one or the other, a harmonious balance!
puddleshark
Well-Known Member
I agree with the above - lots and lots and lots of transitions, with lots and lots of praise when your horse gets it right, until your horse is carrying himself and will make a transition with the lightest aid.