help!!!

[katie_and_toto]

Seriously need some help now with Toto's outline, he trots round like a giraffe! It's getting me marked down at shows and when we do dressage. He's fine at walk and ok at canter, it's just his trot. I won't use side reins (he dosn't like them). I've been taught to keep my leg on and fiddle with the reins gently, but it's not working. He's a little better in his show bridle with double reins but he still pokes his nose. Got a show on sunday so urgent help needed! Any suggestions?

 

[justsarahh]

A pessoa. Worked wonders on my Giraffe-like pony

 

[katie_and_toto]

whats a pessoa? i've heard people talking about them but not sure what they are

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Not much time to sort it out before Sunday, but a few pointers that may help. Firstly, check your curb chain is tight enough. Without checking a book, I think it should come into play once the shank has moved about 30 degrees, but don't take my work for it. If it's too loose, the shank becomes almost an extension of the rein - you need the pony to feel the chain and relax to the pressure. Yes to keeping your leg on , but not clamped, check you're still relaxed through your back (and bum!). Maybe your pony doesn't like the fiddling with the reins - try a stronger but elastic contact.

And I'm sure many other people with more and batter ideas will be along soon, good luck with the show.

 

[katie_and_toto]

Thanks, lucybruckner, I'll ride him in his show bridle tomorrow and try that out

 

[lexiedhb]

Fiddling.... hmmmmm I would suggest as above a more elastic approach. Plus use your inside leg to push him into a firm outside rein contact. Many transitions will help get him using his back end, and so pushing him up into the bridle. takes time but you'll get there in the end!

 

[galaxy]

30 degress is too tight. The curb shouldn't come into effect until it is at 45 degrees.

To be honest there's not much you can do before sunday. The best thing you can do is to book yourself some lessons with a good instructor who will help you work through it. Learning to ride a horse in an outline is not something that can be taught as X+Y=Z. It's about feel.

I am also a big believer that horses should be taught first in an outline in a snaffle rather than a double. You are more likely to get a true outline working from behind through the back rather than just having the head scrunched in which happens too often.

A Pessoa is a good idea to help your horse build topline but it won't necessarily mean he'll go like that under saddle.

I hope this helps. Don't worry about the show. I would always place a horse that is moving frowards freely with good conformation and paces than one that was forced into an untrue outline.