Help, dressage!!

[Caritas]

Hi guys, have a really major problem, I have a dressage test tomorrow that has a few walk trot transitions in it and been practicing a lot but.....
because my horse has been learning to piaffe and do half steps and is a very forward thinking horse, everytime i ask for walk he wil jog with lots of tension. I just sit, ask to soften and relax deap into my seat and eventually we do get some nice steps as he does have a great walk but obviously and unfortunately you dont get the chance to sit and wait in a test, you just have to get on with it. I have also tried scratching his neck slightly and slightly giving in the rein but nothing is working. Any tips greatfully appreciated, many thanks

 

[KatB]

Ok, weve just started doing "zone" training. Basically, when you are going from trot to walk, you make the transition last as long as possible, so you rise to the trot, then slow the trot right down through your rising very graduallly, so the transition takes a very long time, and you almost "melt" the horse into walk by slowing the trot so much. This takes the emphasis away from your hand, and makes you use your body to control the transition, and because it is so gradual, it is difficult for tansion to creep in. If the horse starts to get tight again, push the trot on again using your rising, and establish a deep outline again, and try again until outline doesnt change and tension doesnt appear. Only allow the walk when he goes in "seamlessly" so your almost rising into the walk. Hope that makes sense, it does wok!!

 

[Caritas]

Isnt it a bit late to try this when i have a comp tomorrow, lol. Thanks for that, will definately try it. Hope it works!!

 

[KatB]

Lol! yeah but my ponio caught on after one attempt, so worth trying when warming up, keep tension out of warm up arena! Otherwise, dope?!?

(joke!)

 

[madhector]

sorry, no help from me Im afraid, but I love that bit of advice

 

[Partoow]

The problem here is the horse has become a bit worried and tense at the thought of being asked for piaffe . you need to think of making the walk steps as long as possible , so that they cover the maximum amount of ground . Try and keep your knee open and relaxed and your lower leg hugging him making sure your inside leg is at the girth.At first you have to not push for speed but keep your sest light and keep the connection taking him that little bit deep, get him to release and then push him into and foward into the space so that you really think the steps along the floor.When you make him deep get the base of the at the withers to stretch this will get you that feeling of release and space .
You have to give him the connection onwhich you make the transition try not to become 'heavey' in an effort to absorb the tension as it does not work it stops the transmission of the hind leg and could increase the tension. Think of it like trying to push toothpaste through the tube so that it comes out infront of you, this will give you the feeling of getting the hind leg to step forward and kep the back relaxed and free.
Hope that helps
When you work on the piaffe make sure you alter you leg to both back behind the girth and the 'ask' as a light pulse.
This will keep the aids clear and help reduce the confusion and the tension. As there will be a difference between the walk aids and the piaffe

 

[Imonone]

OOooh I do think we should get Partoow to give us virtual lessons, such a great way of explaining things

 

[ann-jen]

I'll second that - I'd love a real or vitual riding lesson off partoow.

 

[Llwyncwn]

I used to enjoy Partoow's schooling sessions until she taught me, in virtual terms, how to Levade. This is what happened ...

I've asked her to teach me rising trot next

 

[ann-jen]

Glad to see your horse is wearing protective head gear for this difficult maneouvre.