Training aids - lowering head

[lusty]

I'm not a great fan of gadets either! the only training aid that i think is worth while is a pessoa. it encourages them to work long & low with out forcing them and gets them working from behind rather than sending them onto the forehand. also you can adjust it to other positions i.e. if you want to encourage the head carriage to be higher etc.

 

[viola]

Hi, I would agree with above about stabilising your hands first before starting to look for different solutions. Also, how stable are your hips and lower legs? In rising trot there is quite a wider range of movements of your whole body than in walk and canter. If your horse is sensitive to those movements he will find it difficult to relax (and reach for the rein, stretch). Maybe ask your instructor to give you some lunge sessions when you can ride your horse without the reins and observe how your seat alone influences his carriage.
If all seems quiet and nice, you could also try different breathing pattern. You breathe in through your nose and then breathe out in a way that 'inflates' your belly (imagine making your belly big and expanding your waist; imagine you want to push your horse's neck away from you simply by inflating your belly - just make sure you stay up and vertical in your upper body).
Ups, sorry for a long post and good luck

 

[vicm2509]

IMO I do bend my elbows, it is me riding in the pictures but not in the video (that is my friend). I compleatly agree about the trot, he was like this in all his paces when I got him last april and would litrally pull his head down to the floor and snatch the bit all the time. My lower leg is not as secure as it should be and I tend to lean into my trot to canter transition but im working on this.

I dont want to swap my instructor as she is fantastic, he has improved so much since I started lessons with her and she has got on him to 'demonstrate' a few times. She competes her own horse at high level dressage and also owns a riding school so I trust her knowledge.

I was talking to her on saturday about the draw rein issue and told her I have never put gadgets on him to ride in and im a bit concerned. She asked me to bring some draw reins next time and she will give me a lesson in them. She explained that she just wants me to ride with loose contact on them and will show me what she means.

I think I will have a go in the lesson and see what I think. I really dont want to ruin him as we have come so far and hes doing really well.

It seems that there are quite mixed feelings about draw reins, ive always hated them but I do want to follow my instructors advice as shes really good.

 

[vicm2509]

Sorry forgot to add, I agree that I do need to work at steadying in hands and think it would be a great idea for me to have some lunge lessons.

Im taking all the advice on board and really appreciate it

 

[KatB]

[ QUOTE ]
I would seriously consider a martingale to start with. They help to balance and staedy the horse without you having something extra to hold onto. A lot of horses go much better in this. Also get a balancing rein (the little strap that goes between the D's), you hook your thumbs into this to help keep your contact more consistent and away you go! Practice makes perfect!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with the balancing rein comment, however really dont with the martingale!!! No way would a martingale come into effect if correctly fitted on this horse in any of the pics shown, and also a martingale should never "offer support" either! If correctly fitted, would only come into action when a horse lifts his head above controllable level.