Give and retake the reins.

S

spider

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 October 2004
Messages
1,568
community.webshots.com
Been practising Prelim 13 for Monday. When I try to give and retake the reins my horse instantly drops his head. I think he thinks I want him to stretch down as he is very good at free walk on a long rein. It's obviously my aids that are wrong. Any advice please.
 
You need to get him more between your hand and leg and holding his own balance. It sounds like when you release the contact he is tipping onto his forehand and not staying up and round and working properly through from behind.

There is no quick fix for this I am afraid and you will need to work more on getting him through from behind and carrying himself and learn to give the rein rather than allowing him to use you to balance himself.

When you do G&R dont let your hands drop down - try to push them up the neck towards the ears and ensure you have a distinctive release of the contact. If you are pushing your hands down you could also be asking your boy to lower his head.

Good luck for Monday - dont worry too much about this, its only one movement.
 
Thanks Folara. I think I may be dropping my hands, as he works into a light contact and does not lean at all. He feels to me as if he is working through from behind. As you say I think I will have to develop a distinctive action. I am also wondering now if I am tipping forward as well.
I only do it for fun so I won't get too upset if it all goes wrong!
 
my dad was scribing for top dressage judge last sat and the test involved a give and retake - the judge ONLY marked highly if the hands were forward and up, the palms facing downwards, and the judge could see the slight slack in the rens.

i thought it was quite interesting! good luck
laugh.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top