Schooling for beginners!

[Lancelot]

Hi everyone,

Can you suggest suitable exercises for schooling a horse that works mainly on the forehand, is not very supple, and is hard in his mouth? I think it's unlikely he has done any schooling for a few years and I don't think he has much understanding of aids as such?!! The 2 things I would really love to achieve are having him work from behind more and to soften his mouth.

Thanks!

 

[rara007]

Transitions, at each marker do one. Once walk/halt is OK, then add trot and finally canter, but doing a different transition each time, so not endless walk/halt's.
Hardly inspiring, but once he understands when you want go and stop everything will become easier to work on.

 

[Lancelot]

Thank you, am i right in thinking that once he understands halts without much use of the reins he should become softer in his mouth? At that point, when I start circles how do I get him to understand how to move away from my legs - does that have to be taught from the gound at first?

 

[rara007]

To start with circles, get 20m and 15m circles OK, correct bend, but not too much which *should* be doable, then push him in and out between them spiraling. Turns on the forehand work well too, and if you face him into a corner give them the idea quickly.

 

[Lancelot]

Thank you for you help, I'm quite looking forward to getting started and (hopefully) getting him working better - will keep you posted

 

[megwan1]

i really think gettin an instructor would help as its really helped me cos there is someone watching u and seeing what ur doing and what else u need to do

also maybe lunging him would help him maybe try side reins or pessoa or something similar

 

[spike123]

to teach your horse to move away from the leg groundwork will really help.Longreining is also great for helping with getting them going forwards and off of a contact. If you haven't longreined see if you can get someone to show you how as it needs to be done correctly to be effective. It will be more beneficial than lunging. Ridden wise use lots of change of direction and circles keeping to walk to start with and then do the same in trot. Figures of eight,half circles and demi voltes will be good for getting your horse listening to your leg and respecting the rein contact.