how can i improve him

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lillie

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i own a 10yo, ride & drive, welsh cob who has now been broken for 3 1/2 years (ive had him 2 1/2) ive got him going nicely over XC jumps & would like to improve his flatwork. as he drives he has a very strong front end & as he doesnt canter very well he tries to rush off (verging on a panickd bolt type thing).

i was trying to ride him in s hanging cheek snaffle in the school but as he has had to have 2 months off with a pulled muscle & then a months slow recovery i've had to use his 'normal' bit when in the school, i did try once riding him in the snaffle but he mucked about so put his gag in.

He normally wears a cheltenham gag out hacking which is always ridden loose (see pic)
DSC00549.jpg


he wears a pelham with roundings for XC & was wearing a jointed hanging snaffle in the school.

does anyone have any ideas that can help me gain control in the school so i can make the most of his flatwork sessions. im trying to have a lesson once every 2-4 weeks (depending on finances) & he is ridden 2 -3 weekdays & hacked on weekends.

any help greatly appreciated
 
Im just heading out the door to see to my own so dont have much time to reply im afraid. I'll have a better read through later and add some thoughts but I just had to say.... He's lovely!!
 
yate/ chipping sodbury, i do have an instructor who is very good & a strong rider whose familiar with the breed, but ive heard rumours she may be pregnant so am having her next week for first lesson in ages after his layoff & will see from there
 
I'm probably going to be of no help what so ever and probably get jumped on and slated but i'd try going well and truly back to basics with him and if that didn't work then i'd try a completely different approach. Obviously I don't know how he goes or how safe he is etc but in an enclosed school environment, perhaps with assistance from someone watching, i'd try riding with your seat and weight and completely give him is head. As you've said the flatwork is what you want to improve then i think this is how i'd start. I think he's going to take a lot of patience from you and a lot of taking things slowly. I'd try and do lots of circles and trotting with long reins and get him really relaxed. Does he have nice regular paces (at trot) or does he rush and tank off? I'd be trying to slow him down with my rising and be really calm and soothing all the time. The more stressed or frustated you get the harder it will be for you. Look ahead all the time and allow your weight to guide him. Try working long and low with lots of scratches on his neck on the inside to reassure him that he's doing the right thing and to help him understand that he can relax.
Depending on how quickly he 'gets' this process you can start to shorten your reins and lift him up a bit, collect him and ask for an outline. You can keep doing the scratching/rubbing by the withers on the inside but you need to keep the outside contact consistent.
If it's safe i'd definitely try and get him back in the hanging snaffle or something softer.

I'm sure your instructor will have much better advise as she knows you both.
The advice i've offered is the way that my first instructor advised me to work my horse, starting from the begining. My second instructor is much more tough and takes no prisoners so this is what I meant about a 'completely different approach'.

Good luck and apologies to all if this advice seems way off the mark.
 
i think thats a good idea, he starts off ok but if he spooks it takes a while to get back to a relaxed stinky. my instructor told me to do lots off schooling manourvures such as figures of 8's & circles so he cant anticipate what will happen next
 
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have you tryed a pelham in the school i have a welsh section c who is exactly the same

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i would but i'd like to try some dressage so i can do ODE if theres no hope in a snaffle then i'll just stick to hunter trials
 
There is always hope in a snaffle. He is a lovely cob. Lau has given just the advice I would if I were training him. (Have been an instructor now for 30 years and wish I had just £1 for each time I have said that!!!)
 
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