How to get a TB with a very long flat stride to 'bounce' more???

[Ziggy_]

As the title really...

my mare has a really long flat stride, i've been working her on the lunge in a chambon and it has really freed up her back and engaged her hocks, now i need her to come 'up' and lift her forehand, without going hollow! any ideas? i've tried using side reins and two lines and although she still works from behind and uses her back/stomach muscles, she doesn't elevate her stride and still has her head fairly low.

I know being a TB its probably going to be a struggle but any advice would be appreciated!

 

[zigzag]

Will her confornmation allow her to go in the outline you want?

You could try trotting poles?

 

[BeckyD]

I'm not an expert, and am only learning my way round this myself, but I've found through trial and error that the following works:

LOTS of transitions. And I mean LOTS. My TB has a very long flat stride too, and he's never going to have much elevation (or at least not with me riding him!). But transitions and raised trotting poles have made quite a difference.

I do halt to trot to walk to halt etc at every marker around the arena, and it just gives him more spring. Then I'll do a part 20m circle in a pace, to try and keep the bounce, but will do another transition before he loses it. Lateral work is great for strengthening the hind legs and getting them to step more under. Sometimes I do leg-yielding into a transition e.g. up to canter and that gives me a more bouncy canter.

I think little and often. My boy is only 5 so I don't want to over-strain him. Oh, and I do all my work alternating between long and low, deep and round, and long rein.

Will be interested to read more experienced riders' replies.

 

[skye123]

i have a TB x welsh and although she is was ok in trot her canter was dreadful. very long flat stride and didnt use to help us with jumping at all as she quite often got poles down

i personally found doing half halts, transitions, canter poles, being lunged etc etc really helped and she is now loads better

 

[oofadoofa]

A really good exercise to do is doing rein back to canter as this gets their hocks really underneath them. Then you can use the rein back aids whilst in canter and you will find it will make the horse really light in front and really helps get their canter more powerfull.