Laura2408
Well-Known Member
I'm struggling with this and could use some advice.
I am trying to get my pony show ready. In other words in a consistant outline when in the ring!
I have been trying to increase his fitness since spring and he seems to be fine with normal work. He hacks, schools and lunges at least 5 times a week. He still has weight to loose though but I'm working on this, I would say he is fat if I am honest but he does not struggle on hacks etc.
The main problem I'm having is that he won't stay in an outline for long enough to build muscle. He will go on the bit for a short time (minutes!) after being schooled for a while but then gets distracted and breaks it. This means he is not building any correct muscles at all as he won't do it for long enough. I don't want to force his head in but I am getting frustrated as nothing is working!
At the moment I do lots of transitions, leg yielding and the odd circle although he is rubbish at these. He does work nicely when forced but he is lazy and avoids it at all costs.
The other problem I have is with the canter. He is absolutely rubbish at it! He knows the transition and always strikes off but when doing so flings his head in the air and hollows. This means he can't canter more than a few strides without falling back into trot. I have tried holding his head down but this didn't work and just caused him to trot faster and faster. He is the same on the lunge, he can't canter a circle without trotting again! He does canter on a hack fine though and will canter for ages, it's a school issue!
He can bend nicely on both reins in walk but struggles in trot and it's an absolute no in canter.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I have had his back/teeth/saddle checked recently and the vet thinks it's a fitness issue.
I do have lessons but can't afford them every week. I also struggle to fit them in around work. My instructor has helped loads but I can't crack this last bit and i loose motivation when schooling alone!
Basically, how do all these show pony producers get their ponies into fantastic outlines all the time??? What is the secret??
I am trying to get my pony show ready. In other words in a consistant outline when in the ring!
I have been trying to increase his fitness since spring and he seems to be fine with normal work. He hacks, schools and lunges at least 5 times a week. He still has weight to loose though but I'm working on this, I would say he is fat if I am honest but he does not struggle on hacks etc.
The main problem I'm having is that he won't stay in an outline for long enough to build muscle. He will go on the bit for a short time (minutes!) after being schooled for a while but then gets distracted and breaks it. This means he is not building any correct muscles at all as he won't do it for long enough. I don't want to force his head in but I am getting frustrated as nothing is working!
At the moment I do lots of transitions, leg yielding and the odd circle although he is rubbish at these. He does work nicely when forced but he is lazy and avoids it at all costs.
The other problem I have is with the canter. He is absolutely rubbish at it! He knows the transition and always strikes off but when doing so flings his head in the air and hollows. This means he can't canter more than a few strides without falling back into trot. I have tried holding his head down but this didn't work and just caused him to trot faster and faster. He is the same on the lunge, he can't canter a circle without trotting again! He does canter on a hack fine though and will canter for ages, it's a school issue!
He can bend nicely on both reins in walk but struggles in trot and it's an absolute no in canter.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I have had his back/teeth/saddle checked recently and the vet thinks it's a fitness issue.
I do have lessons but can't afford them every week. I also struggle to fit them in around work. My instructor has helped loads but I can't crack this last bit and i loose motivation when schooling alone!
Basically, how do all these show pony producers get their ponies into fantastic outlines all the time??? What is the secret??