How to maintain an outline

[scewal]

Just wondered if you all could help me with some suggestions regarding maintaining an outline.
Mare is 5 years ol cob x tb, rather a big girl. She naturally seeks an outline and will maintain it for a max of 4/5 strides then stops. She feels wonderfully light in front and can really feel her working through her back when in an outline.
Obviously she will need to strengthen the correct muscles so quite understand time plays a factor in her ability to maintain an outline for longer.

So any tips please?

 

[maresmaid]

Give it time. She will need to slowly build up those muscles and will gradually be able to maintain it for longer periods. Try not to think thar the goal of each training session is to "make her work in an outline" TODAY - think of it more along the lines of doing work today which will help her to maintain an "outline" in 6 or 12 months time. If you are consistant in your approach, and take the time needed to allow her to strengthen properly she will find the correct balance and will work easily in the "outline". Find a variety of excersises to use which encourage her to stretch, flex, and use ALL her body properly and remember that you do not have to work for an entire session completely in the "outline" to improve your horse there are many aspects to this and the " outline" is acheived by slowly putting everything together over time.

 

[maresmaid]

I am a big fan of the book 101 schooling excersises (recommended it twice this week on here) loads of useful excersises in there and its become an invaluable reference book for me.

 

[Cortez]

There is no reason why a horse should not be "in an outline" from the very beginning if the training is correct. The shape a horse needs to be in when carrying a rider is not "natural", since carrying a rider is not natural, but should be asked for and maintained if you wish to develop the correct muscles for riding.