Schooling exercises for tense horses

emma.is

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Hello, I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions for schooling exercises for nervous and tense horses?

My horse came to me with an a-symetrical pelvis and after all the physio work ups she's coming on really well. She is a nervous and tense horse though and once she's wound up and hollows her back it's very hard to get her to soften and relax again because in the past that's hurt her.

I have been schooling her twice a week with hacking and lots of field time in between. Hacking isn't an issue and she loves it but gets very wound up in the paddock.

I have been doing lots of transitions, bits and bobs of leg yield and raised trotting poles.

Any suggestions gratefully received!
 
sometimes my lad starts off tense, almost feeling him humping his back underneath. he was like this today, so i just let him walk on a long rein, talking to him. then in the trot just kept him forwards, I didn't feel transitions would help as it interrupts him, just kept forwards and talking to him, after awhile he relaxed and started working over his back nicely.
not saying this will work for all, some might need transitions to distract them or to get them working well, but it works for him
 
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