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Post by angelsdream on May 23, 2008 7:17:59 GMT -5
Ok, so I hauled Mav to an arena last week, Wed, and started him on giving to the bit - 1st time ever that I have worked with him on this. We trotted around in that wonderful slow, smooth trot that he has and I held the reins taunt, just enough to where he would start looking for the release and would find it by dropping his head and tucking in a bit, it took him about 15 minutes to realize where the release was, I didnt ask him to hold it, just wanted him to find it. So after 45 minutes (and I must say that he could do that slow trot all day and never get tired) he knew where the release was and everytime I asked him to find it, he did. I went out wed this week and started exactly the same, it was amazing that as soon as I asked for it, he knew what I wanted. I never had to repeat it and re-teach him and it had been a whole week that I didnt ride him. Witihin 15 minutes, we were trotting around with his head lowered and tucked and holding it for about 4-5 minutes each time with no pressure. I was so happy - he's so darn smart. He'd make an amazing dressage horse - And all I have to do is say "woe" and he stops, Ive been teaching him to move off leg pressure and I direct with the reins. I dont pull back to stop(used to, but teaching him different), i just sit and say woe, took a few times to get this. He would take a few steps after I had asked to stop so I would have to reverse him those few steps...but he knows it now.
The only problem Im having right now is he won't pick up the left lead - if he's in a small round pen, he will, but when I lope him out in the open, he won't. The right side is good - so working on that also.
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Post by kimk on May 23, 2008 10:47:02 GMT -5
how awesome is that?! you have made such progress with him Angel, I'm so proud of you!
Kim
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Post by Michelle Clarke on May 23, 2008 14:54:48 GMT -5
Angel, great to hear you'all are getting together!!! for the lead, take him laterally then release and ask for the lead. If you want the left lead, you need to ask his right hind leg to step more under his body and toward his midline. This is the first leg to take the left lead...weight goes back and the right hind leg steps deeper and pushes off; then you have the diagonal legs (left hind and right front), then the left front is last before they gather and start over.
By doing this you will put his weight onto the right hind leg, as he steps under release and ask for the canter. This is just a quick fix, there may be other issues, so if you need further help just let me know...
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Post by toucan on May 23, 2008 21:32:56 GMT -5
Angel, I have to agree with Michelle as she gave a text book description of the lead departure. But as Michelle said, there may be other issues.
You say that he picks up the left lead in a small pen but not out in the open. What is a small pen? Down the long side? Going into the short side? Where are you asking? Is it with consistancy?Does he pick it up on a circle? Without thinking of we many times use arena walls and rails as outside aids. Unknowingly, walls and rails can conpensate for our weaker outside aids making work in smaller pens or indoor arenas differnet than the wide open outside. Just a thought, not sure how it applies to your situation.
Stephanie
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Post by DianneC on May 23, 2008 22:54:29 GMT -5
Horses and people aren't balanced as well on both sides. I know my "bad" way is to the right and so is Chinny's. Together we had to work hard to get that way good.
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Post by Michelle Clarke on May 24, 2008 13:21:49 GMT -5
Good point Dianne...years ago I had problems with my horse going laterally to the right. Of course I was aggrevated with him because to the left was great. I soon realized when I put my left leg on, I bent my knee and put my weight onto my right hip (getting in his way) instead of lenghtening my left leg and lightening my right hip to give him somewhere to go.
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