Lickle ex-racehorse schooling (CC appreciated)

[Girlracer]

Hello everyone, well poor old Majie (and myself) were pretty slated last time i posted photos of us in the school (not so much here, but else where), in fact i was told never to jump until we'd sorted our schooling. What i did try to explain was that actually he can school but because i was so tense as it was the first time i'd jumped since i came off he wasn't going particularly nicely.

Well anyway, today i did some more schooling and he went very nicely, i was pleased with him. The canter is still difficult but he's getting there, trying to get him to relax and now go round with his nose in the air is difficult to say the least, but i feel like we're really making progress now. Here are some stills, i'll try and get the video uploaded to.

Pats for a clever pony...

And for comparison...

(bare in mind he is still very green in his schooling )

 

[fatponee]

Hello! Well I think there's a big improvement He looks lovely and relaxed in his outline, so that's definitely heading in the right direction.

As a fellow ex-racer owner, please tell me if you ever find the solution to cantering nicely rather that with nose poking in the air! I've just started to lunge mine with a chambon in the hope that this might help.

Good luck with your future schooling and keep us updated.

 

[nikkimariet]

Well done, that's a massive improvement between photos!!

He is SO much rounder over his back and neck and you both look a lot more relaxed.

Only CC from me is the position of your hands. Shorten your reins and bring your hands up. If you relax your shoulders, your elbows will drop and your elbow-wrist will be straighter and your hands will naturally come up as a result. Whilst I appreciate he is a little green, and I think when schooling that working long and low should be encouraged he looks a little downhill; by bringing your hands up, you will encourage him to work more with his shoulders, his neck will round over and he will work more uphill.

Whatever you're doing must be working, because he looks lovely

 

[Girlracer]

Well done, that's a massive improvement between photos!!

He is SO much rounder over his back and neck and you both look a lot more relaxed.

Only CC from me is the position of your hands. Shorten your reins and bring your hands up. If you relax your shoulders, your elbows will drop and your elbow-wrist will be straighter and your hands will naturally come up as a result. Whilst I appreciate he is a little green, and I think when schooling that working long and low should be encouraged he looks a little downhill; by bringing your hands up, you will encourage him to work more with his shoulders, his neck will round over and he will work more uphill.

Whatever you're doing must be working, because he looks lovely

Hi, thank you for your feedback!!

The problem i have at the moment is if i shorten up he tends to tense up, more than likely this is because of something i'm doing!! Any ideas what this might be? I do have an issue with tensing through my arms and every now and again i realise i'm doing it and relax them for at most about 30 seconds before i forget again

Lessons start soon though, very excited!

 

[Sanolly]

He looks like he is coming on well! No CC from me (I'll prob be asking you for some soon LOL) x

 

[nikkimariet]

Hi, thank you for your feedback!!

The problem i have at the moment is if i shorten up he tends to tense up, more than likely this is because of something i'm doing!! Any ideas what this might be? I do have an issue with tensing through my arms and every now and again i realise i'm doing it and relax them for at most about 30 seconds before i forget again

Lessons start soon though, very excited!

Hmm...could be that because he tenses....you tenses?? Will assume you've had all back/teeth/saddle checks so can't be any of those. I know it's hard to remember to alter your position, I have a naughty right hand and shoulder and every few minutes I have a 'wth am I doing with my body' moment, correct it and then it returns a few minutes later!! Unfortunately, it is perseverance and practice practice practice!

I would work on your position first, if possible, get someone to come and shout at you when you're schooling!! I get my sister to watch me ride from time to time, and it is so helpful because it really gets you focusing on how you ride. Once your position is more consistent, try picking up your reins - not asking for a different position, keep him long low and relaxed. And hopefully, progress!!

 

[Girlracer]

Hmm...could be that because he tenses....you tenses?? Will assume you've had all back/teeth/saddle checks so can't be any of those. I know it's hard to remember to alter your position, I have a naughty right hand and shoulder and every few minutes I have a 'wth am I doing with my body' moment, correct it and then it returns a few minutes later!! Unfortunately, it is perseverance and practice practice practice!

I would work on your position first, if possible, get someone to come and shout at you when you're schooling!! I get my sister to watch me ride from time to time, and it is so helpful because it really gets you focusing on how you ride. Once your position is more consistent, try picking up your reins - not asking for a different position, keep him long low and relaxed. And hopefully, progress!!

Thank-you for that, he is upto date in every way possible it is just a numpty rider + green horse situation i think!

We moved yards a month ago now, and just in that time you can see the improvement so fingers crossed we'll keep improving now that we can practice more regularly

 

[Slightly Foxed]

Great stuff, but, yes, you do look tense. I'd drop those stirrups a hole or two and try and relax in the shoulders - easier said than done I do know!

 

[RachelFerd]

Very sweet looking horse. Although the overall picture is much better and more relaxed in the more recent pictures, he does appear to lack the forwardness and step through of the older picture.

Its hard to say really without seeing a video, but it looks as if he is not going forwards through into the contact 100% and is very much on the forehand at the moment. Does he stand croup high when not under saddle?

Lots of transitions will help, and plenty of work to build a slightly bigger trot, without losing that nice relaxation that you have obviously acheived well.

 

[Girlracer]

Thanks everyone, he does stand croup high yes which doesn't help. The problem is he has a tendency to rush so trying to prevent rushing without going at -10mph is quite hard. Any tips to try and achieve a bigger trot?

 

[nikkimariet]

No probs I look forward to more updates from you two!

With regards to stopping rushing: Lots of transitions (focus on walk and trot for the mean time). Half halts when he goes a bit flat and downhill, and starts falling onto the forehand. Push him forward, bring him back, push forward, bring back. Throw in plenty of walk transitions and halts too. Keep him waiting on you, make him go at the pace you want to go at. Try doing this sort of stuff on a circle too, it will improve his balance which is another thing that a green horse needs plenty of.

I think a bigger trot/bigger movement will come with time (don't focus on this at the moment - focus on stopping him rushing and getting him balanced for now), once his balance button is installed lol and he has packed on more muscle, which means he will have more control over himself, and with your position improving all the time; you'll have the control to ask for a bigger movement and he will have the muscle and balance to provide one

 

[LadyRascasse]

no cc but i wanted to say everyone is an expert so don't take what is written to heart, you know your horse better than anyone else, so read what is written and take away what is relevant and discard the rest. good luck with him he look like a lovely horse

 

[katia]

Looking alot more relaxed You asked about why when you shortened your reins he tensed up?...Maybe due to this being the cue to gallop when racing?..(just an idea?)

I have two ex racers and they are soooo rewarding to bring on Looks like you are doing a fabby job.xxxxx

 

[Girlracer]

No probs I look forward to more updates from you two!

With regards to stopping rushing: Lots of transitions (focus on walk and trot for the mean time). Half halts when he goes a bit flat and downhill, and starts falling onto the forehand. Push him forward, bring him back, push forward, bring back. Throw in plenty of walk transitions and halts too. Keep him waiting on you, make him go at the pace you want to go at. Try doing this sort of stuff on a circle too, it will improve his balance which is another thing that a green horse needs plenty of.

I think a bigger trot/bigger movement will come with time (don't focus on this at the moment - focus on stopping him rushing and getting him balanced for now), once his balance button is installed lol and he has packed on more muscle, which means he will have more control over himself, and with your position improving all the time; you'll have the control to ask for a bigger movement and he will have the muscle and balance to provide one

This is extremely helpful advice, thank you very much.

no cc but i wanted to say everyone is an expert so don't take what is written to heart, you know your horse better than anyone else, so read what is written and take away what is relevant and discard the rest. good luck with him he look like a lovely horse

Thank you it's easy to take it all to heart, but i do try not to!

Looking alot more relaxed You asked about why when you shortened your reins he tensed up?...Maybe due to this being the cue to gallop when racing?..(just an idea?)

I have two ex racers and they are soooo rewarding to bring on Looks like you are doing a fabby job.xxxxx

Hm, that's not a bad point really! Hopefully it'll come in time when we both improve a bit more!