how do you get a horse into an outline???

[Mypinkpony]

Mpp your horse looks quite angry in all the pics. Have you ruled out pain for this behaviour? It looks like you are improving him but just wondering why he is so tricky under saddle.

I wish i knew, so frustrating
Well when his owners got him 3 years ago (he's been on full loan to me for 8 months) he had a back problem from a badly fitting saddle but had shockwaves therapy and has a chiropractor every year since to check, i also book him in for a massage every 2/3 months so there shouldn't be anything bothering him, teeth were done about 2 months ago, saddle 2 weeks ago? i think it's habit and expecting pain and reacting even when its not there.

 

[LollyDolly]

Hi there. I'm afraid you are fighting a losing battle with this one. Not due to a lack of ability, but because there is no way your pony will be able to work well when your saddle is far too small for you and you are sitting on the cantle! On the contrary, all your weight is being concentrated on the weakest part of his back. You will certainly cause back problems if you continue. Problem is, the saddle looks too narrow as it is tipping you back and compounding the problem. Even if you got a saddle wide enough for him, it would still be too short for you as he cannot take a longer saddle. Really sorry to have to tell you this, but I see a massive back problem in the future, and it is shouting out at me through that picture. I had to say something!

Eek I am shocked that I didn't notice this!!
Truth be told I do find that me knees come over the flaps, hence why I push myself back

What shocks me the most though is that it was David from Village Saddlery (Master Saddlers) who fitted this for me and I haven't changed a bit since!
I think that someone will be getting a phonecall tomorrow

Any idea's for other saddlers in Cheshire who are good while I'm at it?

Admittedly my back does look terrible in that shot

 

[FfionWinnie]

Your saddle does look horrendously uncomfy for you lolly.

I had a similar issue with my 16.2 tbx a few years ago. The saddler I used told me she couldn't have bigger than a 16.5 inch saddle. I am nearly 5ft 8... It was always a crap fit for me. New pony is 13.1 with a 17.5 inch saddle on because I used a very good fitter who could think outside the box (different saddles are different in terms of actual length compared to seat size if that makes sense)

 

[dressagelove]

DL are you still using a flash? I really see no need for it He looks relaxed enough in all the pics not to be needing it.

You have a lovely stable leg position, Need to think about keeping eyes up more to help you not to round your shoulders and reaching forwards with your hands. I think you are also collapsing your rib cage so think about an elastic bungee coming out of the top of your hat, you want to be flexible to absorb the movement but not bent like a banana!

Thanks TT! Actually no, these pics are from last summer and I am minus a flash now still put it on occasionally, but generally its off.

Thanks re the the position too, that has been our general conclusions and I am working on exactly what you said I should post some up to date pics to see if I have improved...

 

[shortstuff99]

This thread has been really interesting and I'm going to brave putting up a pic of one of my horses and me! Just for some information the pony I am riding in these pics is 25 years old so please dont be too hard on him! I would just like to have some views on my position what we look like etc, as a lot of the time I school on my own so don't really get much CC from the ground.

 

[shortstuff99]

Wow the first pic came out huge! I will try to re-size!

I couldn't re-size so I've deleted it

 

[Wagtail]

I wish i knew, so frustrating
Well when his owners got him 3 years ago (he's been on full loan to me for 8 months) he had a back problem from a badly fitting saddle but had shockwaves therapy and has a chiropractor every year since to check, i also book him in for a massage every 2/3 months so there shouldn't be anything bothering him, teeth were done about 2 months ago, saddle 2 weeks ago? i think it's habit and expecting pain and reacting even when its not there.

I have to say, even after your saddle has been reflocked (ref the xc pics) it is a terrible fit. Have another look at the xc pics and see how the whole saddle is lifting away from his back as you are falling off. Can you imagine the amount of discomfort this must be causing him with a rider's weight on board? I really would not be riding him at all until you get a well fitting saddle. I actually think it is quite dangerous for the both of you. I think you will find he is a different horse if you can get it sorted. In the meantime I would just be lunging him in a pessoa or a chambon to get him stretching down and working over his back.