I am in a bit of a rut - help please.

H

Haflinger

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 May 2006
Messages
4,538
Visit site
As some of you will know When we bought Blu, she hadn't really done any flatwork at all - she would go round with her head up in the clouds and just didn't see the point in schooling, and she is like me in that aspect - if theres no point in doing it, I won't
blush.gif
tongue.gif

I've had her about 9 months now, and yes, there is a big improvement, but I cannot get her past the 'long and low' stage of her schooling. She goes along like this pretty much all the time, I would say, in walk and trot (starting to work on the canter a bit).
image1.jpg


I mean, it's not bad, but I feel she is capable of more than that now. Any tips on how to get her working more from behind and uphill?
Also, on the right rein, she clings onto my inside rein - any advice on how to really get her into my left rein would be very much appreciated!
 
I can't help but I have exactly the same problem. I felt really despondent after schooling tonight so I shall wait to see your replies with interest. I've tried lots of different schooling books but I can't seem to get it to click without someone standing in the middle shouting at me. All I can say is that I've decided to try a different instructor to see if we need a different approach
 
Based on the photo and your description my evaluation of you and your horse would be that you need to ask an instructor to help you improve your position and muscle tone. A photo is just one moment in time but as that's all I have to go on it looks as if you have lost the shoulder hip heel alignment that would put you in balance and take the weight off the back of the seat bones and spread it more down your inner thigh. The reason for doing this is that the horse finds it easier to carry the weight and can bring his back up. In the photo you can see his back in down behind the saddle and therefore he cannot bring his hindlegs further underneath himself. If you become more balanced because you are more lined up and also use your own core muscles, the horse starts to be able to benefit from schooling patterns and lateral work which will put strength and better balance into his work.

This is just the start of the schooling process which will take many months, if not years but you sound like you have already made some progress so good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top