help with schooling please

jenbleep

jenbleep

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k well it might be a long one so bear with me....
ive just started riding a 16.2 warmblood x thoroughbred, 7 years old, that hasn't been ridden for 3 weeks. i haven't ridden for a couple of months either. basically i need some schooling advice; what would be good exercises to get him listening to my leg? when i rode him yesterday he seemed a little dead to my leg. (maybe its me?) he can work on the bit but i want some exercises to make him really work using all his back and hind quarters, not just tucking his nose in. anyone got any exercise to help me make him halt straight away? because he tends to resist when i ask him. (again, maybe its me?) one more thing; sometimes in trot he would tuck his nose in but he would feel quite heavy in my hand. so i need some advice on how i could get him off his forehand.
thanks a lot guys i know im asking for much!

p.s the owner said ill be able to have lessons on him too, which will defo help me and him! i am in dire need of lessons, i work in an office so my posture its terrible! maybe yoga or pilates will help?! lol.

one more thing; i have noticed that i tend to lean forward slightly, and when i am told to pull my shoulders back it feels like i am really leaning back. but this is normal right? i dont look like im really leaning back?

god i am demanding! lol
Thanks guys xxxxx
 
I tend to lean forward too, when corrected it does feel like you are leaning back even though you aren't! It feels weird at first, but will become second nature

How are you asking him to halt, are you using your seat as well?

Lots of transitions may get him listening, as will keeping the work varied and interesting. Make sure he is properly warmed up (and warmed down at the end)

stick with it, lessons will help, good luck!
 
I agree that asking him to use his hindquarters laterally is very useful. Also do transitions, but with the intention of getting him really moving off your leg..make sure you allow him to go forward..he might even leap forward a bit to start with but that is OK, you can harness the energy later..too much collection at this stage may get him a bit 'backward thinking' which, in my view is worse than being keen off the leg
 
when i ask for halt i tend to sit up taller and gently close my legs by his sides (but i dont think he listens , see above at my post) and close my hands on the reins xxxx
 
Transitions, transitions, transitions! So many transitions!! For a horse on the forehand concentrate more on doing an upward transition every time he gets heavy to pick him up.
Also lots and lots of leg yielding, yield into the corner and go on a circle and make it smaller by pushing him in with your outside leg, then out again with your inside leg etc.
Also my instructor uses an exercise he calls phase 1 and phase 2 to get rock listening to my leg and aids. On a circle, phase 1 open your outside hand, and outside leg on to get an outside bend (supporting with inside leg and rein) basically reversing the bend, and keep him going round on the circle with your outside leg, then gradually open inside rein (this is phase 2) and restore inside bend, keeping your outside leg on. Hope that makes sense.
 
Posture-wise either yoga or pilates would probably help you, as they both increase your "body-awareness" and will help you with flexibilty and your posture.

Have you got a riding school nearby with a mechanical horse that you can have a session with? I twist to the right, and one session really helped me become aware of my problems, and feel the difference between when I was straight, as opposed to when I felt straight. You're surrounded by mirrors so will be able to see for yourself if you're leaning back, or sat upright.
 
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