Swinging 1/4s - Dressage Problem!

[Becki1802]

Hi,
I've recently been doing quite a bit of dressage with my horse and I seem to keep losing marks in his halt and occasionally on straight lines through him swinging his 1/4s. I have tried to correct it with my aids and I have noticed he does it with the other younger rider on him too so I don't thin it is just me. I haven't been able to have a flat work lesson since it got dark in the evenings so difficult to get an opinion from the ground.

I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

I also wondered if it may be a tightness in his back? He is 10 and well trained in Holland - maybe too well at a young age? I was considering buying him an Equilibrium pad for his Xmas present (yes, I know I'm sad buying him a present!)!

Any thoughts? Anyone?!

 

[ThePony]

When you halt do you keep your leg on too? Do you have one leg that creeps back or may be a little weaker than the other? Does he always fall to the same side? When riding a halt transition I would ensure you support him with your leg aids too and make sure you are sitting tall and straight in the saddle

 

[HBBambee]

Try riding a baby shoulder in as your coming down the centre line and along the long sides and this should stop him swinging his quarters in.
My horse used to do it in canter along the long sides of the school and doing this for a couple of weeks stopped it.

 

[Becki1802]

Glosgirl - yes, I've tried keeping my leg on and I've tried exaggerating by putting it right back behind the girth and he still does it! He always swings them to his left! I thought it was me until he was doing it worse with someone else! I will try it again and make sure I am sitting tall and straight - thanks.

Bambee - Sounds like what he is doing is the same. I will try to ride shoulder in slightly - not 100% convinced I'll get it right - I'm rubbish at these things! lol! Thank you!

 

[Letslip]

Pop him into a slight flexion as you come up the centre line towards the way his hq's swing out plus ride into a more forward trot verging on a medium trot and then making sure he really is sitting his bum for the downward transition as will be harder for him to let them 'drift' out if he is really using his bum.