So proud of the dinosaur! *pictures and a lunging question*

Jackson

Jackson

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Not really sure how to start this thread, but I just had to share my beastie Jack's progress today :D.

Since march we have been having horrible, horrible issues with picking up the correct canter leads. After a bit of work with a physio, today we had quite a breakthrough with him picking up the correct lead on one rein the first time, and on the other rein the second time that I asked (you'll have to excuse the fact that I can't remember which rein each happened on, I was just too happy, lol!) I also discovered his impressive ability to lengthen/shorten his stride.. that was definitely not there before!

Now, here comes the question, as part of his programme, I was meant to be getting him to work over his his back and to generally use himself better on the lunge. I have a complete fear of sidereins, because they would probably only suceed on getting him to plough around with his nose tucked in. Someone recommended that I lunge him with the sidereins draped behind his withers, and bought down through his forelegs and clipped on to his headcollar. (apologies for not knowing the name, and my less than great description) So I tried it, and this happened..



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So, I know my question is relitively stupid, but my experience with horses, up until I met Jack, has mainly been hacking and plodding; I have never had to consider wheather a horse is working well or not, and do not trust myself to say weather this gadget has suceeded in encouraging him to work over his back.. From the pictures, can you tell weather we were sucessful or not? I personally think he looks lovely, much better than his usual girraffe being pinged around on the end of a string impression :o . Someone also suggested that I tightened them up a little but I didn't want to restrict him.. What do you think?
 
I like it! He's tracking up nicely, his back looks rounded (although he is veeeerrrry far away lol) and he has rounded his neck by lengthening the top and not shortening the underside unduly. The besy indicator is to look at the spot just behind the saddle, and see if it has lifted or not (you can do this whilst stationary by asking for a belly lift with your fingers). Observe the changes and aim for that. The other thing is to look for equal triangulation of the limbs in trot (which seems to be the case). oh, and grunting - grunting means the abs are starting to work and he's feeling it :D.

Don't fall into the trap of pinning his head down to make him round, it won't work. I say if he's happy working like that then keep at that 'tightness' until he gets stronger and more balanced. You wouldn't want to do lots of high stomach crunches to start with, and i'm guessing neither does he!

Looking good though. :)
Trina x
 
He is known as the dinosaur because he grunts when he is asked to work a bit harder :o

Thank you for the advice :) I'll be leaving them at that length for now, going to pad the bits that pass between his legs though, I am quite paranoid about him getting rubbed ;)
 
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