How's she looking now?

tonitot

tonitot

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Just wondered how you all though Ethel is looking now we're out of winter ..... ish :p

As you can see, I'm working on her getting her head down to build up her neck, I lunge her for about 5- 10mins in side reins on the last hole but am open to any suggestions that are better than that :)

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And cause shes prettyful :p
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Haha thank you :) She came to me with that name and I was planning to change it, but I'd known her as Ethel for 6 months or so beforehand and nothing else seemed to suit her so it stuck :)
 
It looks as though your side reins are too loose to be anything other than an ornament.

Have you tried using a chambon to encourage her to work long and low?
 
eggs said:
It looks as though your side reins are too loose to be anything other than an ornament.

Have you tried using a chambon to encourage her to work long and low?
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This was only the second time she wore them and she's still getting used to them so I don't want to shorten them until she understands them more. I have used a chambon, but it looked to me as though it wasn't releasing when she did lower her head, making her confused and so I took it off.

Vanner - I've never used a pessoa, how do you use them?
 
She's lovely. Have you tried the draw reins, to get her long and low? I tried side reins on mine and he would just fight them but he is much better with draw reins and they help him to relax and stretch. Maybe worth a go? Type it into YouTube to see them used and how they fit.
 
milesjess said:
She's lovely. Have you tried the draw reins, to get her long and low? I tried side reins on mine and he would just fight them but he is much better with draw reins and they help him to relax and stretch. Maybe worth a go? Type it into YouTube to see them used and how they fit.
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Ethel has fought her side reins both times she's worn them so maybe she'll never get used to them? A friend mentioned draw reins so I think I'll give them a go although I've never really liked them.
 
She's looking in wonderful nick - and has a lovely shiny coat.

Want to build her neck up? Ride, ride and ride some more.......;)
 
amymay said:
She's looking in wonderful nick - and has a lovely shiny coat.

Want to build her neck up? Ride, ride and ride some more.......;)
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Thank you :) she seems a bit lame at the moment so until the vet checks her I'm not doing anything with her but once that's sorted she will be ridden more :)
 
pessoa would be best. She is stunning, nice meaty girl and the bays shine so well - what breed is she?. Can we see some action shots to see how she moves and then offer advice? Like you, I want to build up the neck and am having some trouble:rolleyes:
 
Achinghips, thank you :) she is a rising 4 Thoroughbred, not done much up til now as she has had a nice long break but I'm bringing her back in now :) I will get some action shots once I find out from vet about her lameness. Her neck is actually better than it was a few months ago, although I'm not sure if it's her winter fluff giving that illusion :p

1973horse, thank you, I've thought about a bungee aswell and think they're a good idea. I guess it'll be a case of trial and error! :)
 
Ooh a Tb, you have your work cut out!! I did a search about building neck and to tell the truth perhaps we have to put up with what we got - someone jokingly suggested a 6 foot chain around the bridle - lol:D You have her age on your side - I'm trying to develop a 13yr old kept as a pet all her life - it is so NOT easy!!!!!
 
Haha sure do! I knew there was a reason I never liked TBs :p I'm gonna try everything and hopefully there will be something to make that neck build up! She has never had ant schooling before I got her so maybe starting from scratch will help :)
 
milesjess said:
She's lovely. Have you tried the draw reins, to get her long and low? I tried side reins on mine and he would just fight them but he is much better with draw reins and they help him to relax and stretch. Maybe worth a go? Type it into YouTube to see them used and how they fit.
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IMO I would not advise draw reins, they can do more harm than good in the wrong hands. I would suggest keeping it simple and stick with your side reins for the time being but to be effective they could go a hole or two tighter. Keep up the good work.
 
TicTac said:
IMO I would not advise draw reins, they can do more harm than good in the wrong hands. I would suggest keeping it simple and stick with your side reins for the time being but to be effective they could go a hole or two tighter. Keep up the good work.
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Okay, I have never liked draw reins but also never really known why I don't like them. I'm not too keen on tightening the side reins just yet, as she fights them a lot and I'm worried shortening them will make her worse.
 
Steer away from draw reins, you need to know what you are doing to use them effectively, and then only to 'show' the horse how to stretch down. You need masses of leg to back up the lightest of hands when using them.

If she's unlevel, I'd steer clear of lunging (on a circle) and maybe go for longreining in lines and over poles. All ours stretch down beautifully on the longreins and you can keep them forward and straight, too.

I do think she looks in lovely condition and she is so pretty :)
 
Thanks brighteyes :) I did say to my friend who reccomended draw reins that I wasn't too sure as I've never used them so don't know how, and was told "they're easy" ... I'm still not so sure. I will give the long reining a go, but we don't have any poles at my yard. Not sure if I've long reined her before though, so could be interesting :p
 
I'd a;so advise against draw reins, they're more of a quick fix and don't tend to offer much long-term benefit (and can often create more problems). I would much rather see her in loose side reins than ones that are too tight. If you find they are completely ineffective then by all means put them up a hole or two at a time but it is far better to start with them too loose and then shorten them then to start with them too tight and not realise.

Agree with the long reining, I think that would definately help her. Maybe try working her over poles, these are good for getting her to stretch down and look where she's going as well as getting her to round her back which is what you really want. Don't think of just building her neck up, you want to build up her whole body so she is stronger and more supple and this will only come with correct work. Obviously make sure she is sound first! I would focus on when you ride her, getting her to work long and low to build up her back muscles, make sure she is always going forwards and try to work her into a light but consistent contact. Over time she will get stronger and then you'll gradually be able to ask more of her.
 
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