young horse - turning issues!

georgiegirl

georgiegirl

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Hi

Twig my 5yo ex racer has rather a problem mouth ie so sensitive you cant touch it! When schooling were coming up against resistance when on a curve any less than a 20m circle, particularly 3 loop serpentines and making the turn offf the centre line at c. She is very sensitive in her mouth and so steering is pretty much down to turning your shoulders and using your weight, she also has a HUUUUUUGGGGEEEEEE stride wich of course means its not easy for her to balance. I've gone right back to walk and its fine but into trot its a different story, very sad as when im making no intervention she has wonderful self carriage and elevation but as soon as i try and have any input into direction she comes very tense, hurries and panics. Anyone have any advice or is it just going to be a 'time thing'?
 
3 loop serpentines and tight turns are best avoided until you have her acceptin the contact more on a straight line/largish circle first.
Make sure you take up a contact right from the off and keep it soft, relaxed but very much 'there' as a constant that she has to accept. It will take perseverence!
 
i think thats the problem. She ona large circle and straight lines she goes in such self carriage she tricks you into thinking you've got her there. i think as well the main problem is getting to accept my leg as a turning aid rather than a rushing off aid!

I think shes going to be rather slow in maturing to say the least!
 
I'm assuming you know ther is no tooth problem, if so have you tried her in a straight rubber snaffle?
We do the first work in one then move onto a bit with cheeks.
I would lunge her in side reins to encourage her to accept the contact, but not too tight whatever you do , and with elastic inserts if possible.
If she isn't steady avoid anything other than big circles and going large until she isn't worried, three loop serpentines will be impossible at this stage.
Long reining would also benefit her enormously I think.
 
Ive tried a straight bar and she just seemed to lean on it and stomp off in her own big stride. shes 16.2 and im only 5'1 so i do think thats part of the problem. At the moment weve got her in a failry thin french link. I tried her in a chunkier one but she does have a small mouth and I think it made it worse. No tooth problems at all, had her checked every 6 months since we had her. She also has regular chirporactor and saddle is fine too. I do think it is just a balance thing, she over tracks in walk and trot by at least 2 foot and in a way her stride is almost too big for her body.

This was twig when we bought her off the track in Nov 06

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And this is her about a month ago.....

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I still think she is going through hug changes and its going to take a long time
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i suppose some horses just arent so quick as others at coming on. Although one saving grace is back in pic one you couldnt get near her without being kicked and now shes a complete sweety!
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Do you think half circles back to the track will help? Starting large and eventually coming small when she gains balance?
 
i havent long reined her simply because its not something ive ever actually done that many times to be attempting it with her. she lunges pretty well and really responds to your voice although havent really tried any gadgets as such, just letting her do her own thing on the lunge.

She did go through a 'naughty youngster' stage in the past few months and has been on her back legs a fair few times
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mum put her on horsemart at one point (stating reason why in advert - hence no phone calls lol) but i think twig must have read it as we seem to be getting out of that stage now
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im pleased as i really didnt want to sell her. really hope she comes together......my dream ai is to event her but may have to just put those thoughts to the back of my mind for now and keep taking baby steps!

by the way, i know im sat really far back in that jumping saddle. My older horse no longer events and so ive spent the past year or two in a dressage saddle so now being something flatter my bum seems to have found a mind of its own and ends up coming back which probably isnt helping things. Any tips on that gratefully recieved too!
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Really exaggerate your movement on her when turning - so really turn yourself a lot more than you normally would. Exaggerate your body movement rather than your hands but don't expect her to do tight turns until she's balanced (can't see ur pics I'm afraid
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Only thing I would add is don't grip with your knees and thighs! With TB's (well ones I've ridden!) it stops them moving forward and also tenses themthrough the back....easily done aswell and I'm only just getting out of the habit!

Re. contact - she will resist for a while but as B says - take a contact immediately. I'd get her riding forward rather than worry about her dropping her head....that should come with time
 
Some horses like Myler bits because of the way they move and sit in their mouths, so maybe worth a try?

Will she accept the leg for leg yielding? I would start there with moving her sideways and then use the inside leg to get flexion which should make it easier to do other movements.
 
You could try a large figure of 8 before introducing serpentines - it is a good way for the horse to get used to changing the flexion and turning and it is less harsh than small circles and serpentines.
 
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