Not moving forward in trot

Love

Love

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Just after some advice/opinions on my boy really.

When I'm warming up I don't ask him to work into a contact and he is forward going in walk and canter, a little steadier in trot but still tracks up well and works from behind and seems to cover the ground well without rushing.

However, as soon as I ask him to work into a contact, it's as if we are hardly moving. I'm not too keen on pushing him too much as I don't want to push him out of his rhythm.. But if I don't.. We end up pretty much back in walk.

Now I only really started to bring on his ridden work properly when I moved to my new yard in September, before I just did light schooling hacking and a bit of jumping but now we are working towards being successful in the show ring (fingers crossed! Haha) so I'm wondering maybe he's still finding his rhythm and balance and building up the strength? The only thing that makes me think otherwise is he is INCREDIBLY backwards thinking :rolleyes:

He had his teeth done a few weeks ago (including his wolf teeth removed) an his back done the week before that. His saddle was checked in October where he went down 2 gullet sizes :eek: however I'm still not convinced it fits as its recently started moving. But if this was the problem surely it would be apparent when warming up?

So, if you've got this far, what do you reckon is the cause? Saddle or balance or being lazy or something totally different?

Thank you for reading :)
 
Guess he can't figure out if more rein means stop or slow down, how can it also mean trot on. Not being flippant by the way. I don't get the whole hold it's head in. To me it's like trying to ride a bike with the brakes on. Foot says go ..hand says whoa.
:)
 
Spangie - that's an interesting point, was trotting next to another yesterday on a hack and he flies along, might do this again and ask for a contact see what the result is.

TigerTail - not tried lunging in the saddle with no rider will try it but tbh the more I think about it the saddle seems most obvious. It is too wide therefore sitting too low and moving forwards so restricting his shoulders.

Calling saddler Tomo see what he says. Thanks for your replies :)
 
Love said:
Spangie - that's an interesting point, was trotting next to another yesterday on a hack and he flies along, might do this again and ask for a contact see what the result is.
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I watched a Ferdi Eilberg demo some time ago. He was showing us a young stallion with somewhat limited trot and he spoke about using the horse's natural competitiveness to improve the paces. He got one of his established horses (Michael and Maria were riding) trotting round with it and then got the established horse to really power on whilst the not-so-good horse was encouraged to go with it. Amazing improvement in stretch and reach:D So I'd say definitely give him a bit of a pipe opener in trot, then use some contact but lots of praise as he starts to move forward. You might find you want to associate a voice command with his "You can do a big competitive trot now" aid to help you later in the school.
 
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