Outline…

[fr234]

So, I’m struggling to get my horse into a nice outline/ round. She doesn’t throw her head around or show any signs of discomfort in her bit (we’ve had it checked) so guessing it’s things I need to work on.
She’s sort of a bit pokey and carries her head happily but isn’t round.
I’ve seen photos of her in her previous home in an outline so is it possible for her to have lost muscle in the areas needed to hold an outline?
Any advice appreciated!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Forget about her head and ride her from the back to the front, which will develop the correct muscles for her to be able to carry herself.

 

[SpeedyPony]

If you get the hind end right, the head and neck will fall into place- think about asking for the outline from the seat and legs rather than the bridle.
A lot of people will pull a horse into an 'outline' but although the head is on (or sometimes behind) the vertical, the horse isn't in self carriage, he's being held together by the rider.

 

[ycbm]

So, I’m struggling to get my horse into a nice outline/ round. She doesn’t throw her head around or show any signs of discomfort in her bit (we’ve had it checked) so guessing it’s things I need to work on.
She’s sort of a bit pokey and carries her head happily but isn’t round.
I’ve seen photos of her in her previous home in an outline so is it possible for her to have lost muscle in the areas needed to hold an outline?
Any advice appreciated!

As what people said above.

Is also quite possible that the people who had her in "an outline" before were just holding her head in a pretty position and not creating a true outline, which is why you aren't getting the same result. If she had been trained properly she should do it for you naturally.

Can you get yourself a trainer who can help you with this? Look for one who doesn't have all their students with their hands braced down on each side of the withers.
.

 

[magicmoments]

As what people said above.

Is also quite possible that the people who had her in "an outline" before were just holding her head in a pretty position and not creating a true outline, which is why you aren't getting the same result. If she had been trained properly she should do it for you naturally.

Can you get yourself a trainer who can help you with this? Look for one who doesn't have all their students with their hands braced down on each side of the withers.
.

Or fiddle, or both.

 

[fr234]

As what people said above.

Is also quite possible that the people who had her in "an outline" before were just holding her head in a pretty position and not creating a true outline, which is why you aren't getting the same result. If she had been trained properly she should do it for you naturally.

Can you get yourself a trainer who can help you with this? Look for one who doesn't have all their students with their hands braced down on each side of the withers.
.

Thanks so much for your help! That could well be the case with the previous owner.

 

[fr234]

Or fiddle, or both.

My current instructor tells me to to put pressure on my rein on my ring finger then to soften when she comes a bit rounder. Is this effective

 

[ycbm]

My current instructor tells me to to put pressure on my rein on my ring finger then to soften when she comes a bit rounder. Is this effective

That's good. That's ask and release, not fiddling. As long as it doesn't transfer into wiggling all your fingers or even worse, your whole hand.
.

 

[magicmoments]

My current instructor tells me to to put pressure on my rein on my ring finger then to soften when she comes a bit rounder. Is this effective

Yes, it's effective. As much as anything it's about asking, not telling, keeping the elbow, hand bit line. Being completely honest I prefer to just let it happen when things are right, as otherwise, for me, at least it's easy to fall to bad habits. I also prefer to be looking up and forward as then you can start to feel when things are working well. I always try and think hands up, and forward too.

 

[fr234]

Yes, it's effective. As much as anything it's about asking, not telling, keeping the elbow, hand bit line. Being completely honest I prefer to just let it happen when things are right, as otherwise, for me, at least it's easy to fall to bad habits. I also prefer to be looking up and forward as then you can start to feel when things are working well. I always try and think hands up, and forward too.

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[Mrs G]

If you get the hind end right, the head and neck will fall into place- think about asking for the outline from the seat and legs rather than the bridle.

This. It was highlighted to me recently while watching my very novice 11yr old niece riding my TB. She has no concept of outline, ask and release, half halt, being ‘on the bit’, head carriage etc. She can stop, go and steer! However I encourage her to get him really going forward and having a consistent, light rein contact and you can see him naturally ‘come into an outline’, no fiddling or pulling required!

 

[magicmoments]

This. It was highlighted to me recently while watching my very novice 11yr old niece riding my TB. She has no concept of outline, ask and release, half halt, being ‘on the bit’, head carriage etc. She can stop, go and steer! However I encourage her to get him really going forward and having a consistent, light rein contact and you can see him naturally ‘come into an outline’, no fiddling or pulling required!

It's wonderful isn't it.