Tips for young horse, heavy in the hand

[Michen]

My youngster is a very peppy, forward hack but really quite backwards in the school (he is weak and does find it hard). Currently I am doing 20 minutes of under saddle work in the school a couple of times a week with lots of walk trot transitions.

Does anyone have any good exercises for us? He tends to lean down on my hands especially when he gets unbalanced. All up to date with physio etc but he was incredibly weak when he came over from Ireland so I do need to be careful not to push more than his muscles allow.

 

[wren123]

I am no dressage expert but I would keep it short, as you are. Lots of transitions including halts, as you are doing already. I would introduce pole work and start teaching leg yield to get him using his muscles correctly.

 

[PorkChop]

Anything to start transfering the weight to his hind legs. So as well as loads of transitions, my favourite exercise is shoulder in for this. Any pole work will help him to use his core.

Sounds like you are doing everything right, it will come! Transitions, transitions, transitions