showjump2003
Well-Known Member
I've been having major schooling issues recently with my pony have been getting very upset about it. Just over a month ago I got her a new saddle and started back with flat work lessons with a lovely instructor. Before I went back to lessons all I had done with her over the winter was gentle hacking because of university. So we go back to lessons and Gali point blank refuses to work on the left rein. She wouldn't go off my leg at all, couldn't keep her anywhere near the track and was having to use far too much outside rein to "drag" her to the outside track. It was horrendous. Had a few weekly lessons with the instructor and still no improvement, she just wouldn't go straight! Instructor didn't think it was because of pain or that she couldn't do it as she did shoulder and haunches in perfectly on both reins in walk. I was worrying it was the saddle but unfortunatly because I wasn't schooling her before I got the new saddle I didn't know it it was a recent thing since I got the new one.
Anyone, today I went up the menage I now have the use of for the first time. After a coin toss up between taking the girraffe (my other horse) or the one sided tare away I decided on Gali. Got up there and the menage is amazing! Brilliant to ride in, only two fields away from the cliff edge so amazing views over the beach and the mountains. To start with she was refusing to go straight but then something clicked, I put enough leg on to crush her ribs
, had a little arguement and it seems I won! After that she worked amazingly! We are still along way from perfect but I'm on such a high! She was working in an amazing outline with so much power and really moving forwards.
I really hope this is a turning point. Had this pony for more years that I care to remember and still haven't achieved what I would like.. which is to have control to do a few local showing classes and unafilliated prelim and novice dressage.
For the last few years it has just been a power struggle between us resulting in me ignoring canter as she gets too fizzy. Now I have her in a pelham, she's starting to listen, canter is a regular part of our schooling sessions and hopefully as she gets more willing we can try moving back to a snaffle!
Just sooooo happy!
And even if she never gets back in to a snaffle for dressage I'm just hoping we can carry on enjoying our flat work in the pelham.
Anyone, today I went up the menage I now have the use of for the first time. After a coin toss up between taking the girraffe (my other horse) or the one sided tare away I decided on Gali. Got up there and the menage is amazing! Brilliant to ride in, only two fields away from the cliff edge so amazing views over the beach and the mountains. To start with she was refusing to go straight but then something clicked, I put enough leg on to crush her ribs
I really hope this is a turning point. Had this pony for more years that I care to remember and still haven't achieved what I would like.. which is to have control to do a few local showing classes and unafilliated prelim and novice dressage.
For the last few years it has just been a power struggle between us resulting in me ignoring canter as she gets too fizzy. Now I have her in a pelham, she's starting to listen, canter is a regular part of our schooling sessions and hopefully as she gets more willing we can try moving back to a snaffle!
Just sooooo happy!
And even if she never gets back in to a snaffle for dressage I'm just hoping we can carry on enjoying our flat work in the pelham.
