Moomin1
Well-Known Member
My mare is extremely obstinate when it comes to schooling and working correctly. She is 16.3 and heavier type of warmblood/hunter. She is forward off the leg in that her transitions are quick, but I have struggled since I have had her (two years, but only riding irregularly and pottering about!) to get her working down and properly using her hindquarters. She fights and fights against it despite using a LOT of leg!! I know that some of it is my riding, as I had an 11year break before getting her. I can't afford regular lessons, and to be honest I am not going to be competing other than I would like to enter a few interdressage comps this summer (no transport!!), but I really would like (for my own satisfaction and pleasure!) to get her going nicely.
Today, after not being ridden for a few weeks (other than a friend having a bit of a trot and canter in the school for twenty mins the other day) I made sure I gave her a good long warm up on a loose rein, before doing a good twenty minutes in walk trying to get her loose and supple and working long and low - and I was very pleased - big improvement from last time I tried. Then into trot - and as usual it fell to pieces slightly and I struggled and struggled. Did lots of circles and leg yield from 3/4 line. At the same time I am noticing my own faults and trying to rectify them - I find my hands lowering and my inside rein restricting her sometimes.
After twenty mins of struggling however, it suddenly clicked into place and she went very consistently in walk and trot in what felt like a lovely outline and very forward. This is the first time ever that I have felt that way and I was extremely pleased.
The only thing is, she did feel like she was trying to tank a little and she was pulling quite hard on my fingers, particularly in trot on the right rein. She wasn't rushing in trot, or leaning - but felt more like she was just being very forward and pulling. I know strictly speaking that this should not happen if she is using herself perfectly, but I do feel like we made a VERY big step forwards and I was beaming from ear to ear by the time I got back to the yard!!
My question is, has anyone got any tips out there for me to try and address the 'tanking' issue. I used to have her in a flash, but found she was worse in it than just a cavesson as she has a fairly large tongue. She is in a Nueue Schule lozenge snaffle and is very easy on the mouth normally. I have got a hanging cheek french link but I am reluctant to have the poll pressure as feel I tend to rely on it to 'pull' her into an outline rather than using blood, sweat and tears!!!
Seriously large glass of red for anyone who has stayed awake so far!!
Today, after not being ridden for a few weeks (other than a friend having a bit of a trot and canter in the school for twenty mins the other day) I made sure I gave her a good long warm up on a loose rein, before doing a good twenty minutes in walk trying to get her loose and supple and working long and low - and I was very pleased - big improvement from last time I tried. Then into trot - and as usual it fell to pieces slightly and I struggled and struggled. Did lots of circles and leg yield from 3/4 line. At the same time I am noticing my own faults and trying to rectify them - I find my hands lowering and my inside rein restricting her sometimes.
After twenty mins of struggling however, it suddenly clicked into place and she went very consistently in walk and trot in what felt like a lovely outline and very forward. This is the first time ever that I have felt that way and I was extremely pleased.
The only thing is, she did feel like she was trying to tank a little and she was pulling quite hard on my fingers, particularly in trot on the right rein. She wasn't rushing in trot, or leaning - but felt more like she was just being very forward and pulling. I know strictly speaking that this should not happen if she is using herself perfectly, but I do feel like we made a VERY big step forwards and I was beaming from ear to ear by the time I got back to the yard!!
My question is, has anyone got any tips out there for me to try and address the 'tanking' issue. I used to have her in a flash, but found she was worse in it than just a cavesson as she has a fairly large tongue. She is in a Nueue Schule lozenge snaffle and is very easy on the mouth normally. I have got a hanging cheek french link but I am reluctant to have the poll pressure as feel I tend to rely on it to 'pull' her into an outline rather than using blood, sweat and tears!!!
Seriously large glass of red for anyone who has stayed awake so far!!