schoolong exersices to help with...

[showjump]

Something which has always been ridden in draw reins, and doesnt really get the whole on the bit, and softening without them.

She has only been ridden by a amature, which is fine but she id very wooden when ridden. I have ridden without draw reins (because i dont like them) and we did get some softening in walk.

I then tried her with draw reins on for 5 mins, and then took them off, and she was better, and was softening in walk, trot, and abit in canter. But its like she only twigs on what you want her to do once shes had the draw reins on.

So ideas please?

 

[rara007]

We have a "dressage" pony who used to be a bit like that. We took him toataly back top basics, encouraging him to go in a strung out way and then retrained him, and it has worked
H

 

[cosmo_sam]

I agree with rara, forget a shape for now as it will never be true until she learns to feel her back/topline lengthen and roll over into an arch.

Lots of work on going forwards (however messy it feels) with a longer, encouraging rein (by encouraging rein, I mean one that she can reach for). Just do short but very forward sessions so that she learns what it feels like to be free again.