Ridden Exercises to prevent heavy neddy

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AshleighEmma

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Gelly get quite heavy when ridden and tends to lean on the bit slightly. I'm trying to engage him behind to prevent him dragging himself from his shoulders and make him work from behind - easier said than done!

His left hand rein is much softer than his right rein and he falls out through the shoulder when doing circle work on both reins - much worse to the right.

Looking for some exercises to help soften him at the front and stop him falling out through his shoulder.

I've been doing serpentines and some very basic lateral work and trying to get him to bend through the circle more rather than taking it as a square and dropping out.
Any advice would be appreciated, going to have some lessons on him in the next few weeks but figured this is a good place to start.

Pony is 14:2 10 year old welshie, lovely boy just needs some softening!!

thanks
 
I would forget working in the arena, get him out doing as much hill work and other hacking over varied terrain, as possible, you can do schooling exercises while you are out and about. Don't give him anything to lean on, make him carry himself, as soon as he starts to lean, drop the contact - it does work!
 
I schooled a little gypsy cob for sale last year who was built very on her forehand and found transitions helped. She had to get her bottom under her, which meant her forehand lightened.
 
I also agree to get out of the arena and do lots of hacking.

I have a rising 5yr old gypsy cob who struggles with suppleness, gave up on schooling at the beginning of summer as it was hard work for both of us and now just hack around three times a week to build up her strength, do lots of walk-trot transitions and have the occasional canter on a straight. I schooled her last night for the first time in a few months, just concentrated on lots of circles, figures of eight and serpentine in walk and her suppleness and contact was miles better. I also ask for lots of half holts so she can engage her back end and rebalance.

I have just bought a book called the cobs can workbook which gives you lots of groundwork exercises to get your horse supple and engage from the ground before you ride. There is also a facebook group for the book and the author is on there and is great at answering questions to any problems you are having.
 
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