spotty_pony2
Well-Known Member
My mare is going really well. A few of you will probably remember when we were struggling with canter strike offs on the right leg but she is really good at these now. I have started to introduce walk to canter which she finds rather exciting and predictably we are having the same issues we had in troy with correct strike offs on the left rein but she does try to correct herself so I am confident this will come in time as she strengthens further.
Bit of background this mare did almost nothing before she came here at 14 (she will be 17 this year) she was also terribly obese and it’s taken over 2 years for her to lose her fat pads and so she has taken a long time to gain correct muscle and fitness and now rides pretty much like a 7 year old.
She is quite sharp and switched on at times but really enjoys her work - typical appaloosa tbh. She does have a soft mouth but can also be strong too - I have actually been schooling her in a waterford hanging cheek which has helped to teach her to carry herself which was my main aim but I still don’t think it’s completely the right bit. I know it’s not dressage legal but I’m not sure we will compete as she prefers to be ridden on her own and not around others and I am just enjoying the challenge of training her from scratch. She doesn’t take much leg and if she feeling fresh and takes a hold she is likely to panic if you were to check her too much so I have to be careful. Everything has been checked physically but this is more of a mental thing. Be can be the same on the lunge too if she is too fresh and she feels too strong a contact down the lunge line.
What exercises can I do to improve the downward transitions so she doesn’t tense and hollow and also any bit ideas I can try?
Bit of background this mare did almost nothing before she came here at 14 (she will be 17 this year) she was also terribly obese and it’s taken over 2 years for her to lose her fat pads and so she has taken a long time to gain correct muscle and fitness and now rides pretty much like a 7 year old.
She is quite sharp and switched on at times but really enjoys her work - typical appaloosa tbh. She does have a soft mouth but can also be strong too - I have actually been schooling her in a waterford hanging cheek which has helped to teach her to carry herself which was my main aim but I still don’t think it’s completely the right bit. I know it’s not dressage legal but I’m not sure we will compete as she prefers to be ridden on her own and not around others and I am just enjoying the challenge of training her from scratch. She doesn’t take much leg and if she feeling fresh and takes a hold she is likely to panic if you were to check her too much so I have to be careful. Everything has been checked physically but this is more of a mental thing. Be can be the same on the lunge too if she is too fresh and she feels too strong a contact down the lunge line.
What exercises can I do to improve the downward transitions so she doesn’t tense and hollow and also any bit ideas I can try?
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