How to get my horse in an outline?

[Dumbo]

As I mentioned in a previous thread, I've had my 16.1hh tb gelding for 2 months now. He's mainly used for hacking but during the winter i'll be schooling more.
He's 13, bred as a racer but became apparent when he was 4 that he'd never be any good (he's very lazy) so then moved to an inner city yard for the next 9 years where all he did was potter around a paddock with a novice.

He doesn't work in an outline and has little impulsion from behind.

Any suggestions on how to get him moving correctly?

I've been advised draw reins, but then heard that they can cause problems because most horses don't like the restriction.
Also considered a pessoa and lunging with side reins but only have the evenings now to exercise him so would like to do as much riding as possible!

 

[lhotse]

Legs, seat and good hands.

 

[Morgan123]

lessons. Sounds like his problem is to do with not going forward enough, so don't strap his head in or he'll end up on his forehand (that includes using side reins on the lunge for the moment!). Lots of very forward work, really pushing himself along, without worrying about his head for the meantime. Work with an instructor.

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Might be an issue you are on with, but is he straight? If he is crooked then he will struggle to work in an outline with head forward and down as he may naturally want to raise his head to resolve any issues with his back. This will also affect his ability to track correctly and have strength and impulsion from behind Just one to think about as at 13 I guess any change would feel strange for him so would require patience and steady training.

Good luck.

 

[thatsmygirl]

No advice but watching with interest as iv got a 9 yr old stright of the track and he just sticks his nose out in front and don't know
how to use his back end or walk forward nicely. I'm starting him
with a pessoa this week to try to help

 

[jenniedream]

I too have an ex racehorse. I tried a De Gogue which has always given me brilliant results with youngsters. But he went absolutely ballistic and even now fights side reins. I am doing lots of pole work in the school and when hacking bend in and out the white lines!! where safe of course!! He is coming now at walk and if we out alone okay at trot. In company he justs wants to be in front and is a total fruit cake. I had hoped to do ROR but I think he is too focused on getting in front. Oh and I find dropped noseband essential!! Enjoy though it's all good fun!

 

[kc100]

I know someone with an ex racehorse, and have ridden him myself. He too doesnt work in an outline and is very lazy. His owner had lessons on him for 2 years trying to get him in an outline with no real improvements, so her and the instructor decided to put that to one side and focus on impulsion rather than outline. They have been working at getting him more forward and improving the impulsion, and guess what, when he is more forward he puts himself into a natural outline.

Ex-racers are known for struggling with outline, they are not trained to work in an outline and for some it will never be achieveable. So try working on getting him going forward, improve your impulsion and see if an outline comes once the impulsion is there. Forget about his neck for a while and focus on everything else, then see what happens.

I'd also recommend getting an instructor to help you, there is only so much you can do alone. This is a bit of a silly little thing, but have you clipped him yet? With the ex racer I mentioned above, he got worse and worse in terms of his laziness until he was clipped and after that he was a little better.

 

[shampain]

I know someone with an ex racehorse, and have ridden him myself. He too doesnt work in an outline and is very lazy. His owner had lessons on him for 2 years trying to get him in an outline with no real improvements, so her and the instructor decided to put that to one side and focus on impulsion rather than outline. They have been working at getting him more forward and improving the impulsion, and guess what, when he is more forward he puts himself into a natural outline.

Ex-racers are known for struggling with outline, they are not trained to work in an outline and for some it will never be achieveable. So try working on getting him going forward, improve your impulsion and see if an outline comes once the impulsion is there. Forget about his neck for a while and focus on everything else, then see what happens.

I'd also recommend getting an instructor to help you, there is only so much you can do alone. This is a bit of a silly little thing, but have you clipped him yet? With the ex racer I mentioned above, he got worse and worse in terms of his laziness until he was clipped and after that he was a little better.

This. An outline is built from the back of the horse to the front- the neck and head are the last things to fall into place, and are the result of the horse engaging their hindquarters, working properly over their back and connecting through with impulsion. Draw reins will not achieve this. The correct muscle has to be developed in order for a proper 'outline' to be achieved.

So, lots of transitions, both between paces and within paces, attempting to maintain balance and impulsion through downwards transitions as well as upwards transitions (most people tend to collapse on downwards if anything). Focus on what's happening in his back, and with his hindlegs, and how that relates to you, your riding, and what's happening in your body. Numerous (and I really mean numerous), well-ridden transitions will also keep his attention, and will ultimately get him moving forwards more as he begins to anticipate upwards transitions. Keep on the move around the arena, just keep it completely random so that he can't predict where you're going to go (obviously, you have to know, so that you can prepare for and ride it properly).
Also, lateral work and polework also help to engage their back end and, again, keep his mind working so that he learns to focus more on you. I'd second the recommendation of an instructor, because they'll be able to give you exercises to work on which suit you and your horse specifically.

To add to the comment about clipping- I recently had my young TB clipped, and she now feels more comfortable and forward, as she'd really managed to grow quite a coat. So if you haven't clipped yet, this might be something to think about.

 

[Jenni_]

yup... as above. You're never going to go forwards if the engines not running properly and the brakes are on in front.

3 principles I was taught before even THINKING about head carriage.

FORWARDS - horse goes off the leg. No matter where the head is pointing, that horse MUST be going forwards. Transitions obediant.

STRAIGHT- horse is working on its 'tramlines' circles should be circle, inside bend should be used,

RELAXED - Relaxed jaw allows a relaxed poll which allows a relaxed neck which allows a relaxed back.

Combine the forwardness from the back through the horse, whilst relaxing from the front backwards, and keeping the horse straight between the leg and hand in movements, and the horse will begin, or be ready to work, in an outline.

Sack Gadgets!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Agree with most on here dont use side reins, get him going forward and off your leg before you even bother with an outline, lunging can help to get him using his rear end, its the rear end power that will get him working in a correct outline not strapping his head in.

 

[ossy]

This. An outline is built from the back of the horse to the front- the neck and head are the last things to fall into place, and are the result of the horse engaging their hindquarters, working properly over their back and connecting through with impulsion. Draw reins will not achieve this. The correct muscle has to be developed in order for a proper 'outline' to be achieved.

So, lots of transitions, both between paces and within paces, attempting to maintain balance and impulsion through downwards transitions as well as upwards transitions (most people tend to collapse on downwards if anything). Focus on what's happening in his back, and with his hindlegs, and how that relates to you, your riding, and what's happening in your body. Numerous (and I really mean numerous), well-ridden transitions will also keep his attention, and will ultimately get him moving forwards more as he begins to anticipate upwards transitions. Keep on the move around the arena, just keep it completely random so that he can't predict where you're going to go (obviously, you have to know, so that you can prepare for and ride it properly).
Also, lateral work and polework also help to engage their back end and, again, keep his mind working so that he learns to focus more on you. I'd second the recommendation of an instructor, because they'll be able to give you exercises to work on which suit you and your horse specifically.

To add to the comment about clipping- I recently had my young TB clipped, and she now feels more comfortable and forward, as she'd really managed to grow quite a coat. So if you haven't clipped yet, this might be something to think about.

Completely agree, too many people focus on head and neck first.

 

[Jenni_]

A good example is the 2 pictures below of my horse - if you asked people in which one they thought the horse was working more correctly, most would answer the first one where his head and neck appear to be in an outline. The reality is he is slightly downhill and could be working MUCH more from the back end. His nose is also slightly behind the vertical. He's going sweetly, but still a bit incorrect.

In the second picture, where his head appears to be too high, is where I would say he is working better. Hind legs are coming right beneath him and he's propelling himself forwards and up,opening up his shoulders opposed to dragging himself along. It will be easier to correct the outline from this level of impulsion.