How to improve cob's outline?

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FlaxenPony05

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Must be loads of threads like this, sorry :(
The cob I ride is now a lot more forward and off the leg, so I now feel it's time to start focusing on improving his outline. At the minute he's not really tracking up and using his hindquarters, more just using his front end to power himself along. He moves very typically for his type- quite rushed and has short, choppy strides with his head in the air. How can I start working on improving this? Would trotting poles help him?
Thanks :)
 
I think it's not outline you need to worry about, so much as engagement and bringing him off the forehand. So the best ways to start working on that are lots and lots of transitions, within the gait, and between gaits, direct and indirect. I also like some basic SI and LY on a circle to get him to soften and step through more (become less choppy)... But there are people better qualified to comment than myself, particularly if you were to re-post this in C&T :)
 
JFTD said:
I think it's not outline you need to worry about, so much as engagement and bringing him off the forehand. So the best ways to start working on that are lots and lots of transitions, within the gait, and between gaits, direct and indirect. I also like some basic SI and LY on a circle to get him to soften and step through more (become less choppy)... But there are people better qualified to comment than myself, particularly if you were to re-post this in C&T :)
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Will do, thanks JFTD for your help :)
 
Definitely agreed exercises to bring him off the forehand (remember you are fighting nature but it can be done). Shoulder in, leg yield, turn on the haunches, 90 degree turns, lots of transitions and changes of stride length within the gait. You also need to work on straightness and then flexion. Once he works through you should see the outline improve.

I explain a few of these on my blog ;) and am in the process of adding some more. My boy is a typical down hill cob and these are all things we are working on. He's improved no end but its a long process.
 
amymay said:
But I will just add, do all your work with him whilst hacking, rather than in the school.
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This!

My cob switches off after about 10 minutes in the school (unless there is a jump up :rolleyes:) but I try and hack out by ourselves at least once a week and do as many transitions as possible on an 1 1/2 hack.

Luckily we have lots of quiet lanes and off road places to do it, but i try and do 5-10 steps walk, then trot, then walk, then halt, halt to trot etc etc etc

It keeps him thinking and he loves it!
 
Lots and lots of transitions works for my cob. Also we only school once per week and do a 25 min session, keeps it fresh! the other days we ride we hack out and do a bit of *schooling* whilst out and about. :)
 
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