Transitions!

O

OrangeEmpire

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Looking for some advice here:

I regularly school my 16yro TB with an arthritic neck and dodgey coordination. This seems to help his general mobility and coordination pretty much in the same way as physio. He's doing really well and on a good day manages all sorts of clever things. I am very careful to tailor his training to his day to day needs.

The problem is transistions. Upwards is fine but he sets his neck and crosses his jaw horribly on downwards ones.
I ride from my seat/legs with gentle half halts on the rein thinking forwards to walk, but his setting of his neck seems to be more habit than a response to my riding. Any tips on how to teach him out of this? Or perhaps I am asking wrong?
Any advice appreciated.
 
you say hes got an athritic neck - i should think thats why hes setting himself in downwards transitons then, as when you are half halting him it is probably making him tense his neck as he is stiff due to the arthritis.
 
That's the thing - I don't believe I am doing anything that actually hurts, it is more that he thinks it should hurt. I half-halt regularly when asking him to change direction or whatever and he doesn't resist then.

Hmmm. He can already do transitions by voice and seat alone, but I am trying to stop him falling into a heap. In order to help him with his mobility I want to get him to use his bum more. At the moment downwards transistions loose all our oompf out the front door.
 
ahhh i see what you mean, so it might be that hes expecting it to hurt......Have you tried bending him (gently) left and then right in the downwards transition so he keeps the flexion through his neck? Not necessarily correct, but it might work?
 
No I haven't tried that - it's a good idea, might distract him.

It clearly is a habbit as he'll do it even if I leave the reins alone. I realise he is a 'special' case so I can't expect him to work like a normal horse, but I think he could feel better in himself if I can get him to strengthen up behind.

Thanks for you suggestions!
 
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