cobface
Well-Known Member
Well after 2 years i am still struggling to have a consistent contact with my now 6yr TB mare. She has improved, alot more relaxed and has moments where she can hold herself with support for about 3 mins, then its head straight up in the air or snatching down she is fit and well and has muscled up alot - hacking out shes fine, never does this head business, same with jumping, in fact when she jumps (warming up) she goes beautifully in an outline, very forward etc....much more balanced too. Shes very difficult to school although shes forward and seems to be moving nicely from her back(nice swinging etc) using her back end well its her front end thats still giraffe like. She stretches down lovely after work, i have had lessons with dressage trainer who says shes not too concerned with her head at this stage as shes using her body well. However i feel like where "stuck" at this stage, desperate to compete at dressage again this year after last years awful attempt but whilst shes inconsistent its no good
Now the saddle part - it got me thinking that when shes jumping am in a GP saddle and feel like i have alot more support leg wise and able to push her on, with my dressage saddle however i feel it tips me off balance slightly and cannot ride as long as i would like to in it - the dressage saddle is an older style - had it fitted to her and all is well, i think its just me!! prior to the dressage saddle though i still had the same probs.
I have watched her being ridden by a very experienced rider but still they struggle too and she does go better for me.
She had her teeth done two weeks ago and am having her back checked by the vet on tues just to rule anything out, but had all this done before and everything was fine so cant see it being a back issue. As mentioned tack has been checked too.
She is ridden in a french link loose ring snaffle. She mouths it well and its always nice and frothy.
I will school her in GP again later this week, see how she goes without jumps........
Any ideas guys? or can anyone recommend a good instructor to help me deal with these issues??
Thanks
sorry for the essay! also in comp riders
Now the saddle part - it got me thinking that when shes jumping am in a GP saddle and feel like i have alot more support leg wise and able to push her on, with my dressage saddle however i feel it tips me off balance slightly and cannot ride as long as i would like to in it - the dressage saddle is an older style - had it fitted to her and all is well, i think its just me!! prior to the dressage saddle though i still had the same probs.
I have watched her being ridden by a very experienced rider but still they struggle too and she does go better for me.
She had her teeth done two weeks ago and am having her back checked by the vet on tues just to rule anything out, but had all this done before and everything was fine so cant see it being a back issue. As mentioned tack has been checked too.
She is ridden in a french link loose ring snaffle. She mouths it well and its always nice and frothy.
I will school her in GP again later this week, see how she goes without jumps........
Any ideas guys? or can anyone recommend a good instructor to help me deal with these issues??
Thanks
sorry for the essay! also in comp riders
