he wont stretch down!!

[jes_nibley]

any ideas?
he just wont do it!! i've tried encouraging him, telling him, working him til he's knackered, riding on a long rein, working him in an outline and asking him to stretch. today i even rode him holding virtually the buckle (not the best idea as he's likely to pirouette and tank off in the opposite direction!!)

he's almost blind in one eye so hacking i can understand as he likes to be able to see what is about to eat him, but schooling, or not even that, if he's 'worked' in an enclosed area. It's not as though he has his head right up in the air, he just wont lower it and stretch.

back, teeth and saddle are all fine.

thanks for any help. x

 

[ColleenIsh]

any pics of him ? ... not sure what he is doing

 

[Sal_E]

Having never dealt with a horse with an eyesight problem, I don't know how that would affect him, so I feel a little hesitant to give advice. Assuming the eyesight is NOT an issue, I would say that he is probably a little 'fixed' in his position (often happens when gadgets have been used, even if years ago in early training) - he needs to 'seek' the contact, so that as you shorten & tighten your contact, he follows it (does that make sense?).

I would ensure he's happy in his current bit (he won't be inclined to go into the contact if he's not happy in his mouth) - I often see horse's in pelhams & continental snaffles for example that have the most artificial outlines... I would work on 'unlocking' his neck - inside & outside flexion & trying to encourage him to move his head up & down A LITTLE (be subtle!). Also, he needs to be truely 'through', aim to get him swinging along - lots of bending exercises, transitions, simple lateral work if you're at that stage.

You have to bear in mind that the 'long & low' outline should be the horse's way of stretching through the back - i.e. you cannot forget what the back is doing when working on it. It's not just the horse dropping his head because he's tired, although it is easier to encourage them to stretch & relax when you've taken the edge off them.

I would guess he's either not happy in the contact/locked in the neck or tight through the back.

Whilst you're working on it, only give the rein in relation to what he gives you - again, he should be seeking the contact. Don't throw away the rein so there's no contact as there's nothing to guide him as to where you want him - he won't just work it out for himself. So, if you can only get him to strech one inch at first, ensure you only give one inch so that you still have the 'dialogue' between you. Work on it gradually as he has to build up the confidence that being 'down there' is a good & comfortable thing - he won't thank you for dropping him though.

Hope that helps.

 

[Parkranger]

Hi

My boy is blind on one eye but doesn't stop him stretching out!

Would suggest that maybe he's not as relaxed as he should be in the school? Have you tried double rein lunging him? I found that helped Ty to learn to work long and low until he got used to it and then he just automatically does it on a long rein in the school now.

You also don't say how long he's been working for? If he's only just getting used to working in an outline then it will obviously be hurting him quite a bit in the neck and I think they become a bit afraid to stretch out thinking it will hurt more - I know Ty did.

Def recommend the long reining though - maybe a good idea to ride first and then long rein so he understands that it helps him and doesn' tmake him hurt more! x

 

[Dutch]

Hi

Ok I would suggest doing a lot of his training in rising trot and also flexing him gently to the inside and also counter-flexing him as it sounds like he wont actually take the contact very well. Lots of transitions and transitions from colletecd to extended trot and canter etc will also help.

It will take time but it will happen!

 

[jes_nibley]

Thanks guys,
He’s nearly nine but due to not having access to a school and having lots and lots of hiccups he’s not done that much ‘proper’ work. He’s very green, 11.2hh but not a childs pony so ridden by me (I’m 5’4”), and going on about 4 (I don’t think this will ever change – (he has, for example, been shod every 8 wks for the last 5 years and still jumps around as though my (very calm, quiet, sensible, encouraging, everybody wants him) farrier is about to set him alight!

He’s in a full cheek French link happy mouth snaffle which he seems to like, he’s had various snaffles in the past but nothing stronger.
As I only ever ride on my own (no-one else about at my random times of riding) it’s difficult to get any pics – sorry, I will try to collar someone.

The only ‘gadgets’ as such that have been used on him are long reins, the occasional use of side reins (very occasional) and driving reins (we had a brief driving career – it lasted all of one summer)

We get the ‘swinging’ along in trot, but in canter it’s all head in the air and career around the school – hence the trying to ask to relax a little.
He’s not that good at working in a proper outline (like on the bit), I was hoping that this would be easier for him and I could then encourage him up into the hands a bit more.

So. I’ll try lots of flexion and lots more transitions and lots of fingers crossed and ‘please do this – you’ll get more dinner’

Thanks again.x