Hodgson94
Active Member
Hello, I would like some advice please. I have a very green 6 y/o 16.2 maxi cob, our flat work is just awful and I don’t know what to do… I’ve booked in for some lessons but can’t get anyone to come for a couple of weeks so I wondered if anyone can give me some schooling tips in the meantime. He is ridden in an eggbutt snaffle, cavesson bridle (no flash) and is ridiculously on the forehand and so heavy in my hands. I try to constantly change things so, lots of circles, serpentines, transitions, give and take etc. and it does generally help but the first 10 minutes of every session seems such a fight. I also feel like I’m ‘holding’ him too much, if I dropped the contact to make him hold himself he would just tank off (before I got him he had just purely hunted so he thinks everything should be fast!) the only time he is light, listens, and works from behind is when he is jumping (strangely). Hacking he is absolutely fine, this is purely just when I am schooling he just thinks he can go flat out and ignore everything I am trying to teach him. He is also worse on the right rein, he is so tense waiting to tank off so trots round with his head to the outside and bum to the inside. He is starting to learn to bend around my leg but when I got him any leg aids to him just meant go faster, so I have had to start from scratch. Just before winter we did really start to see results and was having more lessons but I just seem to have taken a huge set back. Please tell me I’m not alone ….. what else can I try? Please no nasty comments either, I am trying my best 😊 (saddle/back/teeth etc. are all up to date and he receives regular physio to keep on top of any niggles) Thank you