opinions?? Developing back-end..

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bsja007

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I would like some opinions on this lad....



And also how to develop more muscle on his back end and topline?
I am lunging him in a pessoa 2 times a week and riding with draw reins to incourage him to work long and low, aswell as on the vertical. He's never been worked in outline and so refuses to do so without the aid of atleast draw reins, but i do have soft hands and do not overdo it, i know the outcome of horses when overworked with them..

thankyou:))

*sadly his Z stamp is on the other side, my favourite part of him ;) *
 
Hill work! Would also say, as soft as your hands may be in the draw reins, if he doesn't go in an outline without them they are clearly still heavily 'encouraging' one and potentially placing his head in a position that he isn't physically ready for yet. I realise I don't know the horse, don't know how he goes when ridden etc. But just something to consider.
 
As others have said hill work would be great. Really work on encouraging him into an outline and powering from his hind end. I would be inclined to get rid of the draw reins if this is the only way you can get him into an outline... This would imply more of a false outline and he won't be working properly.

He will not go into a proper outline until he is engaged in his hind quarters, working through from behind with impulsion so he will be working from behind over his back into your hand!

It will take time and hard work but you'd rather take the time to get him where you want than take any short cuts.

Good luck, he looks bloody lovely by the way :)
 
Echo all the other replies.Hill work. I find walk is the best pace(long and low if you can) working towards lots of transitions on the hill. Walk/halt. Walk/ trot. Trot/halt,etc. If you can ride up a hill sideways,go back down and ride up on the other rein that will really help to develop the back. I would also ditch the draw reins. The picture shows too much under neck development which to me says the horse is tense and resistant rather than working happily into a contact. I would forget about where the head is for now and focus on what the back end is doing.
 
abitodd said:
Echo all the other replies.Hill work. I find walk is the best pace(long and low if you can) working towards lots of transitions on the hill. Walk/halt. Walk/ trot. Trot/halt,etc. If you can ride up a hill sideways,go back down and ride up on the other rein that will really help to develop the back. I would also ditch the draw reins. The picture shows too much under neck development which to me says the horse is tense and resistant rather than working happily into a contact. I would forget about where the head is for now and focus on what the back end is doing.
Click to expand...

I agree with this - he won't be able to work in an outline properly unless he is working from behind properly, and then when he does he will drop down into the contact quite naturally as he will find it much easier. Gorgeous horse, good luck with him :)
 
Agree with the others, no point trying to 'place' his head unless the hind end is working, it'll only encourage him to drag himself along which won't build up his hind end. Hill work & pole work will help.
 
Ditch the draw reins and also the pessoa. Not saying it in a judgemental way...but in a mechanics way.

Lunge with just a cavesson and lunge line, let him carry his head high...don't worry about it. When riding, let him carry his head high...don't worry about it.

I say this because if he is unable or unwilling to stretch and work in self carriage, the more harm you will do to your efforts than good. Even with really really soft hands, draw reins put the head in a place that the horse hasn't chosen for itself. He will soon learn how to hold his head to avoid the pressure and then you will have created a false frame and it will take you ten times as long to build up the topline as he will have learned how to "look" good rather than work properly.

As for hill work...great idea, making him walk and trot slowly uphill will do far more than faster work. Also, as someone else said, backing up uphill is good.

If you have lovely soft hands...give them to him. From what you say, he sounds like the type that needs nothing more than pure old fashioned patience. If the head is down for any other reason than the horse is working properly behind AND relaxed AND loose through the back AND forward AND balanced...then it will be a false outline.

I really don't want this to sound like a preachy post...I do believe there can be times for some aids with some horses...but your boy sounds more like he will respond better to a hand that knows when to give, than draw reins that actually never allow that.

I would be happy if I was only getting a few small moments of stretching each session. Always forward and the instant he takes the contact and stretches, give. Give with the hand and leg. Don't punish when he comes back up, just get the leg back on, wait, ask again and when you get it, be instant in giving again.

It really won't take long and until you can get consistent stretching work, I wouldn't ask for him to be on the vertical...he will let you know when he is ready.

Hope that makes sense. If not...have a look at the video below. I will never post advice that I cannot back up. So here is a video of me doing it with my ex racer. Watch my hands and watch the reins. No heavy contact, no big sponges, no big questions being asked. I just ask her to go forward first, not worrying about her head. When forward, I encourage a stretch and she looks down for the contact. When she comes up out of it, I just put my leg on and repeat the process. The hardest thing is knowing when to give and doing it.

I'm not the best rider, she's not the best horse, but we are happy. My hands are the most inactive part of my body when I ride her...when others have ridden her that use their hands more, she is a complete nightmare.

If you look at the reins around 31 seconds in...she has come up out of a stretch but all you see me and hear me do is encourage her forward.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4lDMUx9kJlU&feature=plcp

This is after taking the flash strap off...she is much happier without it, no more fidegting with her head

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=TST_beCSPBU

Like I said, my own riding leaves a lot to be desired, but I don't see the point in giving you advice without showing you how I do it.
 
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