outline help

[abi_G]

so my horse Barney has been trained to be in an outline. i have had him since November last year. he used to always be in one nice and round and often he would be in it to deep and i would have to hold his head up. well now it has changed.
he has started coming out of it more and obviously this isn't a bad thing, but i was wondering why he would do that and if it is my falut. he is used in other lessons ridden by other people and the staff and i doubt it would be the staff but i dont know how to tell what caused it. he has also started tossing his head alot when jumping and in the cannter. my reins are never tight and he has enough freedom of his head i just don't know what to do. his outline has become less round in the last three months and i am scared that he is going to loose it.

if anyone can give me any tips a as to why he might be doing it or any suggestions as to what i can do to help him stay round htey would be appreciated


p.s. sorry about spelling I'm not good at it

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Your spelling looks ok to me!

He will need to be ridden from the 'back to the front', engaging the hindquarters. Perhaps now he is being ridden by novices in the RS, if that is the case, his muscles are developing differently, I would speak to the staff about your concerns.

 

[be positive]

If you have been taught to 'hold his head up' when he gets too deep and the same staff are riding and teaching others on him then he has probably become confused as to what is being asked, if they become too deep they should be pushed up from behind not held up by the hand, over time this will cause either a misunderstanding or prove uncomfortable, if the riders are also less experienced he has probably learned that it is easier to brace his back and become more hollow, that will then relate to how he is jumping.

I am guessing he is on working livery in a RS , he may be doing a lot more work than he did in his previous home, he may have changed shape so a saddle check is worth doing as is getting a dentist out once that is possible, also check he is not doing more than he is supposed to, often a really nice horse will be popular and may end up doing more that it should leaving the owner getting on a tired and rather fed up horse when they go to ride, unless the terms are really beneficial saving you a lot each month do consider other options, having a sharer to help with the bills, or even two, may be a better option for you as well as easier on the horse.