laurengrace
New User
I have been given a horse as an assignment at university and I wanted to know what you guys think would be the best method (or if you have any great ideas!).
She is a lovely horse and was previously used for showing. She is 14 years and is very forward going. As a result she has been ridden for the majority of her life 'with the hand brake on'. To keep her at a steady pace you need to maintain a rather strong contact. Stopping isn't too bad... but bringing her down from canter is another story!
This constant pressure on her mouth has caused it to become sore and she avoids to contact completely by becoming very over bent. She will also get that tongue right over the bit when given the chance!
The first thing I did was take the pelham out of her mouth (I assume the yard manager previously put it in due to how difficult it was for students to slow her down). I exchanged it for a happy mouth snaffle straight bar bit. She was much happier with it in and kept her head in a nice carriage.
The only problem I am encountering now is that she is a very intelligent horse and gets easily bored. I went through the pressure-release training with her again in walk and trot. She was very responsive at first, but within 20mins we were going around on the hand break.
I would like to say that I am a sensitive and competent rider. I try to ride my very best when on her as I know how sensitive her mouth is, she does however take the micky when I am riding her so softly.
Does anyone have any ideas on exercises that would help her relearn the slowing down commands from the seat and that will keep her engaged in the training?
Thank you for your time.
She is a lovely horse and was previously used for showing. She is 14 years and is very forward going. As a result she has been ridden for the majority of her life 'with the hand brake on'. To keep her at a steady pace you need to maintain a rather strong contact. Stopping isn't too bad... but bringing her down from canter is another story!
This constant pressure on her mouth has caused it to become sore and she avoids to contact completely by becoming very over bent. She will also get that tongue right over the bit when given the chance!
The first thing I did was take the pelham out of her mouth (I assume the yard manager previously put it in due to how difficult it was for students to slow her down). I exchanged it for a happy mouth snaffle straight bar bit. She was much happier with it in and kept her head in a nice carriage.
The only problem I am encountering now is that she is a very intelligent horse and gets easily bored. I went through the pressure-release training with her again in walk and trot. She was very responsive at first, but within 20mins we were going around on the hand break.
I would like to say that I am a sensitive and competent rider. I try to ride my very best when on her as I know how sensitive her mouth is, she does however take the micky when I am riding her so softly.
Does anyone have any ideas on exercises that would help her relearn the slowing down commands from the seat and that will keep her engaged in the training?
Thank you for your time.