Re-Schooling a young P to P-er

[ElaP]

Hi all, wonder if you have any ideas. I've been helping ride out point to pointers for the owner, and one of them, a 5 year old, raced first time last season. He didn't do well - not particularly brave or competitive racing, and pulled up every time out. So, the owner has decided that over the summer she'd like him to be schooled, and taken out to a few shows to see life and get braver, and perhaps determine whether he has an obvious talent in another discipline. I took him to my local riding school for his first lesson in the school and he was brilliant, didn't bat an eyelid (although major giraffe impression), happlily walked, trotted and cantered (on the right leg) and popped a couple of poles. BUT having gone in straight lines all his life so far he is very stiff and unbalanced (even though his paces are lovely and he has good natural carridge - can you tell I'm in love!). Does anyone have any ideas for good excersizes that we can do to create a bend and balance him up? I plan to use the next few sessions to bring on his walk and trot, and would love some tips! Thanks!

 

[maggiesmum]

Try using a pelham (preferably a straight rubber mouthed one) with an elastic curb chain to help him soften his jaw which should in turn help him soften his body, and try long-reining, you can do transitions, circles, serpentines etc etc all without stopping and it really helps them to use themselves and find some balance. Pole work is good too and maybe lunging in a pessoa but don't over-do the pessoa work or the outline can become false. Try to avoid working long & low, TB's are built moire on the forehand so it doesn't really help them much.
Lateral work is another good one and you can start it in hand.
Good luck, he sounds great!

 

[Scarlett]

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Try to avoid working long & low, TB's are built moire on the forehand so it doesn't really help them much.


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Dunno what TB's you've seen but none of mine have issues with 'long and low', we work long and low under saddle and on the lunge and this has helped their balance and topline immeasurably..!

Personally I would treat your horse like any young horse, ignore the fact it is a P to P'er and concentrate on it being a 5yo. Lots of long and low work to encourage it to work over its back, work on straightness first before you ask for bend, transitions, let the horse work on a soft contact so it learns to carry itself, dont worry about it being in a shape, think about getting it going forward and being straight and the rest will come.

My best advice would be find an exracer friendly instructor who can help you.

 

[ElaP]

Thanks to you both - it's the long and low I'm after a bit more, as he is brilliantly light in the hand and doesn't fall on the forehand at all at the moment (even downward transitions are smooth, god I love this horse!). I think I will certainly try a bit of long reining.

I am taking him and me for a lesson once a week, so have a great instructor on hand (who has also fallen deeply in love with him). Wouldn't be undertaking this on my own, too worried about spoiling what I reckon is a horse with serious potential!

 

[ribena73]

My TBx isn't an ex racer but we do have giraffe issues. I've been lunging him in a Kavalcade HO lunging aid which makes him work long and low. Its a lot easier to use and a lot cheaper than a pessoa system. He is also ridden in a hanging cheek snaffle which helps with a little bit of poll pressure. I'd second what scarlett said though and look for a good instructor too