Seahorse
Well-Known Member
from Vicky Collins.
Been having a few probs with young Axey recently, seems to be one evasion after another, he won't go forward, he rushes off, puts his head in the air, then goes really overbent and leaning on me, spooking at nothing......the list goes on and this is normally in 1 schooling session lol!!
To combat the head in the air thing I have been riding him in a Market Harborough which worked brilliantly the first few times then he started really leaning on it to the point where he could pull me right out of the saddle, and normally in downward transitions he just yanks his head right down again pulling me out of the saddle.
After chatting to Vicky we decided to take the MH off and try him in a waterford snaffle.
After going along with his head in the air and refusing to take any sort of contact we walked in little circles changing direction frequently and I was softening when he dropped his nose and backing it up with my leg. This seemed to work so we went up into trot and had more of the same head up and threatening to rear and really hollowing.
I was all set to give up but Vicky gave me loads of encouragement and eventually he stopped fighting me and I had the most wonderful ride on him, he was round but light in the hand and so responsive. I didn't want to get off!
Sorry to ramble on but I'm so pleased
Sam x
Been having a few probs with young Axey recently, seems to be one evasion after another, he won't go forward, he rushes off, puts his head in the air, then goes really overbent and leaning on me, spooking at nothing......the list goes on and this is normally in 1 schooling session lol!!
To combat the head in the air thing I have been riding him in a Market Harborough which worked brilliantly the first few times then he started really leaning on it to the point where he could pull me right out of the saddle, and normally in downward transitions he just yanks his head right down again pulling me out of the saddle.
After chatting to Vicky we decided to take the MH off and try him in a waterford snaffle.
After going along with his head in the air and refusing to take any sort of contact we walked in little circles changing direction frequently and I was softening when he dropped his nose and backing it up with my leg. This seemed to work so we went up into trot and had more of the same head up and threatening to rear and really hollowing.
I was all set to give up but Vicky gave me loads of encouragement and eventually he stopped fighting me and I had the most wonderful ride on him, he was round but light in the hand and so responsive. I didn't want to get off!
Sorry to ramble on but I'm so pleased
Sam x