some schooling pics - cc please?

[blood_magik]

I've been trying to improve our flatwork over the last year with the aim of doing a few prelims and possibly a novice.
We've now got a half-decent contact in a snaffle (usually ridden in a pelham and double reins) but it's inconsistant - he's so nosey that he sees something and his ears end up up my nose

CC on the horse only please - the rider in the schooling pics (my dad ) had had a heart op 10 days before and hadn't ridden for 3 months before that so personally, I don't think he looks that bad.

pictures:
matchy matchy mediterranean blue

matchy matchy chocolate

I think he needs to work more from behind - we're lacking a bit of power.
I can offer chicken and tomato pasta, garlic bread and some magners

 

[You Wont Forget Me]

I would agree he needs to work a bit more from behind, try getting him extending more when you schooling till he gets used to brining his back end underneath him, should help, looks good tho

 

[be positive]

The horse standing looks very relaxed in a snaffle .When he is going in the pelham he does not seem to be happy in his mouth .I would work him in a snaffle and encourage him to work into a longer outline,this should enable him to soften through his topline and work more from his hindleg.
Lots of transitions to keep him listening to you will also help with gaining a more consistent contact.

 

[blood_magik]

We do extending/collecting most sessions he finds it quite difficult to sit back on his hocks and maintain an outline - guess I need to do a lot more hill work with him to build up his bum.

The pelham was used with roundings for jumping as we didn't have any brakes - Ive started jumping in the snaffle. I occasionally school in the pelham because it's what we use for showing.

I'll try longer and lower tomorrow morning

 

[hadfos]

He appears very tense through his neck,which in turn is making him hollow through his back,therefore making it impossible for him to use his quarters properly(which as you say could be down to him oggling things),I would try and encourage him to stretch down into the contact,and encourage him to relax,pushing him forward at all times,this will allow him to use his back and quarters properly,only start asking for a higher outline when he is settled and relaxed working long and low lovely horse btw

 

[blood_magik]

He appears very tense through his neck,which in turn is making him hollow through his back,therefore making it impossible for him to use his quarters properly(which as you say could be down to him oggling things),I would try and encourage him to stretch down into the contact,and encourage him to relax,pushing him forward at all times,this will allow him to use his back and quarters properly,only start asking for a higher outline when he is settled and relaxed working long and low lovely horse btw

i agree - he can be tense, and thank you - I think he's lovely too but then again I'm biased

It's so difficult trying to teach him that he doesn't need to go round looking like a giraffe
But I figured that if an ex-racer can learn to go in a nice outline, then he can too - age is not an excuse (unfortunately)

 

[Amaranta]

He looks as though he is not really going forward properly, is tense through his neck and consequently hollowing through his back.

I would concentrate on pushing him forward and work long and low, this will help strengthen the correct muscles along his topline, and also help to get rid of those under his neck. Do not be tempted to put him in an 'outline' before he is truly forward, all you will do is create more tension and a false outline.

So forward and long and low, then more forward and long and low and finish off with forward and long and low!

 

[hadfos]

i agree - he can be tense, and thank you - I think he's lovely too but then again I'm biased

It's so difficult trying to teach him that he doesn't need to go round looking like a giraffe
But I figured that if an ex-racer can learn to go in a nice outline, then he can too - age is not an excuse (unfortunately)

I have found that if i lower my hands down my lads shoulder(taking a light seat) and gently squeeze down the reins he reaches down,I can then sit up lengthen my reins and the leg keeps him there,when he lifts I adopt the same thing again...it takes time for them to get the idea,others may have other ideas but that works for me x

 

[blood_magik]

I usually ride with me hands low but I've been told to lift my hands up and away from his withers. I think I'll lower my hands again until we're moving properly and then gradually start to lift them up.
he was better today - nice and relaxed until someone started digging next to the arena
I did a bit of bareback too and wandered along on a long rein to stretch him out
thanks for all replies

 

[mulledwhine]

No cc, but I love the blue and chocolate bandages, where did you get them?

 

[Elbie]

I usually ride with me hands low but I've been told to lift my hands up and away from his withers. I think I'll lower my hands again until we're moving properly and then gradually start to lift them up.
he was better today - nice and relaxed until someone started digging next to the arena
I did a bit of bareback too and wandered along on a long rein to stretch him out
thanks for all replies

Guarenteed you can ask a handful of instructors and they will all tell you something different! I've had one that has "set low and wide hands" and another who has "high hands, elastic elbows". I now have a combo of the 2. My most recent instructor said the contact you want to have is as if you are holding a child's hand - you're controlling them but your not really there. Hands low and wide to start and impulsion to engage the hindlimbs and catch the energy with the hands. Hands little vibrations with the fingers to encourage the head to come down. Once horse lowers head, raise the hands and stop fiddling. Aim is make your horse realise its easier to carry his head then there is no nagging!

 

[blood_magik]

daisydo - they're jhl polo bandages in Mediterranean blue and chocolate. I went a bit ott and ordered 6 different sets
elbie - ur right, current instructor says hands up whereas my previous said hands low and open.
he's getting the idea now, I think. I got a nice low head carriage and then gave a little with my hands to encourage him to move forwards. once he was moving I lifted my hands slightly.
obviously we're not going to get perfection in one day so I'll just keep practicing until he gets the idea