Spanish walk

[BBP]

Got a nice, active, occasionally hurried walk. I am the worlds worst rider but next stop is to try it from the saddle...any ideas? Do I get someone to walk in the place I usually cue from on the ground whilst at the same time applying an aid from the saddle? (Note, I am not aiming for perfection, just having some fun with the pony, but equally I don't want to teach him badly). Unfortunately he seems to more recognise my body position on the ground more than the cue, if I move to walk next to him we lose the forwards impulsion.
Many thanks!
Also, how do you think he looks condition wise? I let him get too fat (very cross with self) so now hay field has been cut and have had some rain I have been trying to work it off him.

(And gratuitous picture, because he seems to love doing it...he whickers at me the whole time!)

 

[YasandCrystal]

What a gorgeous pony! So so shiny coated too.
I think you have done brilliantly with the walk. I would suggest that you just subtley change the cue bit by bit until he is listening to a voice command and maybe a tickle with the whip wherever you are placed, which could still be managed from the saddle.
Great work

 

[Ebbw]

Not advice for you from me, but I'm after some advice from you (cheeky eh!).

How did you teach the bow?

I have a few books but they advocate use of a rope. I'm not keen to take that route.
I've been using a food lure and we're doing ok (we've got to the point of him bending his knee). I'm just after hints and tips (we do need more practise, that's for sure!).

Lovely horse by the way.

 

[classicalfan]

I think he maybe using your body language as the cue. You can do one of two things - introduce a voice command or make sure that the cue is the one you want him to be picking up. Try a light touch with your whip just behind the elbow as a new cue - it is easier then to transfer that to your being in the saddle as your schooling whip can touch him in the same place without you having to change your position or shift your weight. Once he has got the hang of that you can work on making the command more subtle and dispensing with the whip aid or voice command.

 

[BBP]

Hiya, I'm afraid I don't think I know enough to teach anyone else! I've learned a lot from Etta and Julie Wiemers books/videos, plus from a UK trick rider who is friends with Jean Francois Pignon. I did lots of stretching with him, of his forelegs so he could hold them in the extended position (you don't want them flexing it), his neck so he understood following the hand cue between his forelegs. I made sure his hind legs were in the right position and that he understood rein back so that he was happy to shift his weight back on three legs. I first taught him to lift his leg and hold it at 90 degrees rather than in front, as when he shifts his weight back he needs to land with his knee at 90 degrees and upper part of his leg vertical to minimise pressure on the joint. He has to keep that position until I stop cueing it.

I didn't go with the foot lunge rope idea as although Im happy with the theory of it done properly, my horse can be a panicer and I wasn't willing to risk it. if he needs help I use my hand, but obviously you have to trust that he won't kick, trip or fall on you.

Then I just put it all together! but I did it over a long period to make sure he was happy with every stage, and fit and strong/flexible enough. I don't do the bow with both forelegs straight as it arches the back down rather than rounding it up (more of a tummy stretch I think) so doesn't have a lot of gymnastic benefit for the horses muscles. I also don't over-do it now that he understands the basics as I imagine it is hard work for him.

The one important tip I do have is to make sure you cue by tapping on bone or muscle, do NOT do it by tapping on the back of the leg across the tendon. Sounds obvious but I know a couple of trick horses who have been trained that way.

 

[BBP]

Thank you classicalfan, I will start to work on that with him. I do use a voice cue but I don't think that is what he is responding to.