Horse holding in poll and jaw otherwise relaxed. Tip from watching a lesson

O

oldie48

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 April 2013
Messages
7,056
Location
South Worcestershire
Visit site
My friend has now been with her new trainer for almost a year. The improvement in him is great to see, he used to be behind the leg but would respond to to a request to go forward by bearing down and tending to run. He's a huge horse, anxious, well bred with naturally lovely paces but he can be very tricky (fortunately my friend is a good rider with a lot of patience). He's actually a really nice horse but at the lesson last week he was holding in his poll and jaw, otherwise relaxed but it stopped him from being completely "through" and his paces can be pretty punishing if he's not completely soft. Tip from trainer was to raise hands slightly and ask for small flexions in the head and jaw by lifting one hand up and then the other, nothing heavy handed just little movements, as soon as he let go and went into to self carriage, reward by giving with the hands. I hope I've explained this OK. I used to have a horse who did that and I used to flex the whole neck but this seemed to work much better. Anyway just putting it out there in case it's a help to someone.
 
That is what is by taught by Karl Phillipe, have they been to a clinic?

Yielding of the jaw to bit by slight raising of the hand, from the ground, which is then translated to ridden work. Stops the horse blocking and teaches him to yield to the bit with very light aids.

I am not an instructor, but I did a weekend clinic once and it was a revelation with how my horse responded. Mind, it is rather a long time ago now.
 
No, but the trainer was on the long list for the Olympics and I think his approach is very classical. I think what I like so much is that the horse isn't being told when he's not doing what the rider asks but is rewarded when he does and the aids are not strongly applied but they are consistent and clear. I'm afraid it's not how every rider is taught to train their horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top