Schooling Ideas

[r0450111]

I have a horse on loan. He's an ex racer and is used part time in a riding school. He really struggles to do leg yeilding (and any lateral work) and rides abit like a tank! He's very long and is built incredibly downhill. He tries so hard though and i'd like to work him so i can help him carry himself better. He needs to be stronger over his back and he really struggles to do forward and round at the same time. So i can get him really moving forwards but as soon as he rounds his neck, he slows right down.

He is a real sweety though and he can do the work, he just needs abit of guidance and alot of work!!

So schooling ideas gratefully required!

Would also like to point out, the riding school is not your average 'kick to go, yank the reins to stop' riding school.

 

[Horse-Rider]

have you tried "freeing up his back" ... its literally riding like jockey style around the school for about 5minutes, at a steady canter ! really beneficial to freeing up the back. This might help to get his self carriage better . Dont do this too often as it is painful due to them "freeing up" unused muscles.

Make sure your tack fits / teeth / physio etc. are all done ,

have you tried a pessoa , so he can find his shape , even if you used the aid twice a week , it would probably help . once he has you can start schooling (leg aids etc.)

Being from a riding school , hes probably so confused about mixed signals that he cant be bothered to listen . have you rode in spurs before ? If you can ride coreectly without jabbing etc , then they may help with extra pressure , because a riding school horse normally has the feeling of "dead sides"

Dont forget plenty of half halts , smaller than average circles and losts of bending , it will help.

The key is - time and effort . Dont rush and good luck.

 

[helbe]

Have you tried at a walk,riding in a spiral getting smaller and smaller then gradually making it bigger it has worked with 2 ex racers one who was very plank like when we started.

 

[Spanish Eyes]

Personally, I would concentrate on working him from the ground first, to increase his suppleness and re-educate. There are loads of very good books on in-hand schooling - "Schooling exercises in-hand" by Oliver Hillberger is excellent, and my personal bible.

Good luck with him.

 

[r0450111]

OK, i have never ridden with spurs on, and i'm not convinced my lower leg is stable enough to use them properly. He has 6 monthly checks for everything (teeth, back, saddle ect) and he not due another one for 4 months or so.

I have used spirals with him, but he struggles from about 10m in. I do have a pessoa so will start using that.

I have a book on groundwork so will start reading that again and once pay day hits, i'll buy some more groundwork books. Thanks guys, sometimes it gets abit overwhelming and its where to start to get him working more correctly.