would really appreciate some helpful cc...

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Sunny08

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I've had Berta for about a month now and she has made incredible progress but I am still struggling with her leaning on one side (though the issue is MUCH improved). As you can see in a couple of the pictures I end up almost dropping the right rein as she leans on the left. also she is very responsive to the leg, and has only really associated it with going forwards and speed, I am trying to get her used to having my leg on all the time but find myself holding the leg away sometimes to keep her going steady forwards instead of shooting forward. Any exercises/ comments to help us would be much appreciated...

P.S please ignore the muck heap in the background we have a farm and this is the flattest field to school in!

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd499/Ali_Body/Berta/berta0112.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd499/Ali_Body/Berta/berta0072.jpg
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd499/Ali_Body/Berta/berta0042.jpg


http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd499/Ali_Body/Berta/berta0022.jpg
 
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Hi sunny08 I will have a go at cc as nobody else has!
My first thought looking at your pics was that your position needs some work, the shoulder, hip, heel line isn't really there and you could do with getting your leg more underneath you and getting some weight down into the heels, bend the elbow and let weight go into the elbow, lift your hands and thumbs on top, if she is leaning that is all the more reason to maintain your position and say no you don't train me I train you (obviously easier said than done!)
Your hand is curling inward and you need to work on straightening it and keeping it thumb on top and out in front of you.
If she leans use the inside leg (not heel) and kick her off of your hands even if that means she shoots away let her run forward don't pull up straight away then she should soon realise that no you dont hang and lean on me you need to carry yourself and me, but I think your position needs help to achieve this.
I know from experience how easy it is to compromise your position and 'prop' a horse up but in the long run it makes life harder.
Hope some of that helps in some way? Very very nice looking horse btw xx
 
Thank you, that is really helpful. Basically I have been out the saddle for over a year after having a baby and yep position has gone to pot and I do feel, as you say, that i ride to compensate her faults. I have started dressage lessons again which are going well, I also need to get riding fit again as I am carrying 2 stone excess baggage on my tummy!!

To put her in perspective, when I first rode her she was so unbalanced I did some circle work and she ran out of the shoulder all the way up the whole length of a school, had her nose in the air like a giraffe and rushed everywhere, so i am really pleased with her progress but we also have so, so far to go.
 
My tip would be shorten your stirrups, you can always lengthen them as your balance and position improves.

For the time being, shorten them so they hit your ankle bone, will help keep weight in your heels and legs underneath you and stop the swingy / pushy forward leg, and allow you to keep leg on easier.

As you get used to being back in saddle, your position and balance will improve and you can put them back down if you like.
 
I would focus on getting her to accept your legs, as by the sound of it, it is the left leg she needs to yield to, in order for her to give to the left hand. While you are working on the leg contact, remember that it takes two to pull, and simply don't get into a fight with her over speed, but instead turn a circle, or jiggle the rein whenever she leans. I would be very tempted to simplify things for her by schooling her to a neck band, and that contact on that is an aid to slow down. Then while you're in the school you can forget about rein contact and work on the legs.

..In order to improve the leg aid situation, try the "smaller smaller, bigger bigger" approach - that is, asking, in walk, for smaller steps (same rhythm and tempo). Then for bigger steps. Correct her if she halts or trots, then go back to a very light or non-existant contact on the reins. This is where I think the neck strap would be better if you can school her to that.

Once she can do smaller, bigger, and exaggerate both, she should be much more able to accept leg aids. If you mean that she just won't accept legs still by her sides, then simply ride very quietly but without taking your legs off - she should soon realise that jogging/rushing is more effort, and not required. Give much praise when she does simply walk on.

Best of luck
:)
 
Sunny08 said:
Thank you, that is really helpful. Basically I have been out the saddle for over a year after having a baby and yep position has gone to pot and I do feel, as you say, that i ride to compensate her faults. I have started dressage lessons again which are going well, I also need to get riding fit again as I am carrying 2 stone excess baggage on my tummy!!

To put her in perspective, when I first rode her she was so unbalanced I did some circle work and she ran out of the shoulder all the way up the whole length of a school, had her nose in the air like a giraffe and rushed everywhere, so i am really pleased with her progress but we also have so, so far to go.
Click to expand...

Wow bloomin hell you are doing amazing considering! Well done on the progress imagine how good you'll both be in another few months x
 
Tuck butt under
Maybe stick stirrups up a hole- looks like you are reaching for them
Shoulders back to stop you tipping forward _tucking butt under will also help
Get lower leg underneath you.... line from shoulder through hip to heel
As has been said uncurl your wrist so hand is straight
Ride hoss from inside leg up into outside hand
Do 87 million transitions from pace to pace and within paces to create impulsion, and forward movement, so she can not rely on your hands.

VERY nice looking hoss!
 
The only thing that stood out to me was, perhaps try lifting your hands and opening your chest a bit. At the moment you're holding your hands quite low, remember you need to aim for a straight line from your elbow, down your arm, down the reins and to the bit. If you can open your chest and carry your hands, you may find she's a bit more consistent in your hands :)

J&C
 
If you open your toes rather than squeezing them together as you are doing in these pics, your heel will drop. Getting the leg 'more underneath you' will take a little more time but I recommend working without stirrups at least 10 mins a day to help with this. I know you say you can't ride her with your leg on all the time, but for me that is a good thing! I train my horses to move off the leg and then my leg leaves them alone until I want them to do something else, perhaps she has been trained this way also? In any case I too have a horse that came to me only knowing 'legs means faster' - plenty of half halts using the seat will help, turns, circles, serpentines, leg yield, all the usual school movements as will time as you get to know each other better. Good luck with her, and will getting your riding legs back, I know it takes time :)
 
Thank you ever so much guys, will take on board the comments and put more work in. My instructor is also doing a great job whipping me back into shape, so hopefully in a few months I can wow you all by putting up a 'can you see the improvement post'!! :D
 
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