Showing Welsh Cobs

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express_75

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Hi

Any advice on how to encourage the high knee action?

Does anyone use heavy shoes?

She's only 5 and still green but coming along really well.

A friend, who will be doing the ridden classes with her wants me to have her shod with heavy shoes?

I, personally, don't think this will make a difference as the mare hasn't got the action naturally yet.

...Any advice would be great thanks
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The shoes wont make a jot of difference at all

Practice inhand work at home but make sure your trot is very fast - welshy will pick her feet up if you really motor her around the arena - plus to show off the welsh trot you really do need to flash them round quick - the more firey it looks the better as thats how the breed is. Showing welsh isnt all about control you can get away with the horse almost pulling away from you slighty as thats how judges like the temprement to be - but really do encourage a fast spanking trot - but be warned its not for the faint hearted and you really have to trust yoru pony not to get carried away and tank off!! ha ha

You may find that once on the showground welshy will be excited and pick her knees up anyway - lol - mine does - she really steps up in the show ring as she is a welsh diva.


good luck!!!
 
Eh!

Does that mean if I put a heaver bit in my horses mouth it will lower his head carriage?

sorry only kidding, did make me chukkle though.
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Ditto above post.
 
Well, i feel the same TBH:)

She'll be having her regular shoes and with plenty of practice im sure the natural high stepping action will come out!

let you all know!
 
Hi Nina, how you doin?
I agree about the fiery bit however, undersaddle, judges are locking for their stride to reach forward rather than snapping up and landing in the same place, so they are loking for the horse to really move forward and cover ground. What i would TRY is instead of giving with the reins and driving as hard as possible which will make her go flat, i would hold her together and drive your seat, legs and heel like no tomorrow to really pick her up and get her going forward. Only do this in short birsts and rewad to tell her thats what you want of her, and that she actually did it!! You could signal that your going to ask for the quick nirst of energy foward, by ofcourse applying the aids and raising your hands forwards and upwards slightly, but also clikc your toungue and talk to her so that she can get ready.:) hope that help. Only attempt it on the staraight where she can really elevate.Judges will usually prefer a long elevated stride rather than a short snappy one so as long as you can get her flicking her toes out and forward into a good rythm and expression that should be fine. I wouldnt worry too much on the knee action. Its again, about covering the ground and flashy paces, rather than the very high knee action which is looked for inhand. It would be nice to have that knee action under saddle but its hard to cver the ground and have the knee action if you get me!
anyway good luck!! Are you going to Cothi bridge??Helenxx
 
I don't think it's necessary to have a high knee action for a welsh cob to do well in showing. I personally don't like it and definately wouldn't put heavy shoes on to encourage it.

Loose flowing paces are far more attractive with a good shoulder and moving from behind.
 
I was told when I was looking for a welsh cob not to get one with too much action in front because it made them harder to ride and jump. Not sure if thats true. But since I do other things with mine, like low level BE and SJ that worked fine. Ive seen a few WC's win ridden classes who dont have the flashy action. I personally like a bit of action because thats what they should have, but I dont like really choppy in front.
 
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