Too heavy on his forehand! Any help?

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Zobaby

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My 8 year old Irish Draught X gelding goes on the bit willingly, however he doesn't bend from his poll, but from the middle of his neck, so even thought his face is on the vertical and his neck is arched (and he looks very pretty
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), he's not using his muscles properly. He's also very downhill and doesn't use his back end at all.

I'm not really sure how to get him pushing from behind more and am hoping to get some lessons soon, but does anyone have any tips or exercises i can do in the meantime?
 
Firstly, eliminate discomfort in the poll or teeth as a cause.

Then...

Work with trotting poles and cavaletti.

Hill work will build up his top line. To work in the correctway he will need to build the correct muscles and loose the incorrect muscles, so this is a long term project. If you use hay nets, ditch them and feed the hay off the floor.

You will need an instructor to teach you how to gather him up and ride more effectively.... nothing against you but the horses whole way of going and how he uses his body needs to be re-educated and this is not something to tackle alone
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pretty much how my IDx mare was when I got her, getting better but an uphill struggle literally! I tended to override too much to try and push her through and lighten forehand but I tended to push her onto her forehand even more.

Lots of circles, changes of rein to create engagement rather than speed. Make sure horse is even in both hands, mine falls out left shoulder dreadfully and I normally start with a little counter bend when schooling.

When hacking, esp if cantering if strong in something like a gag bit, this is a god send as my mare is 17hh!

Good luck
 
Yes, heavier sorts take longer to get muscled up correctly, they find the whole thing harder as their conformantion often works against them.

I used to ride Prix St George... I decided to school the family clydesdale for fun. It has taken me FIVE YEARS to get him going in outline and on the bit for any length of time!
 
aww well i'll take your advice then - you obviously know your stuff
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he works on the bit and stays there and looks the part, i just feel he isn't really using any muscles properly and i want to bring him on as he hasn't had a lot of schooling before i bought him.
Speakeasy - i will try lots of circles and transitions and things too, my friend also suggested this to me
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To get him working correctly from behind transitions will help but you need to do shoulder fore & leg yielding......loads of it. This will encourage your horse to bring his hocks underneath him & propel himself forward rather than pulling himself forward.

This isn't something that is sorted out overnight, it can take months of work but when it comes it is great & well worth all the effort...Good Luck
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I have exactly the same (17hh IDxTb built like a chip shop) but have seem LOADS of improvement with a combination of lots of transitions (we can do 5m circles now!) and using a pessoa when lunging - makes him learn to use his back end and is the only gadget I will contemplate - has made a big diff and also helped when he was ill and lost muscle.

Good luck - its so much nicer when they are using all 4 legs and not just the front 2!
 
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