We have been working him softly and gaining ground and lift in his strides, being certain that he steps brightly forward to the bridle and takes his part of the equation. Focus has been on switching between the posting trot, where we begin and establish a relaxed, forward but not rushed, rhythm, to the sitting trot for just a few strides and then back to the post. The purpose is to be certain he is first off working correctly through his topline and building back strength before we sit and ask him to properly carry the rider's weight for longer periods. As he is a young horse his back is not developed and his sacroiliac can become stiff and tense if we over ask.
Sometimes when the rider sits, this horse comes up into the bridle and slightly in front of the vertical. While this looks very pretty and an uneducated eye might perceive this as correct, we can see that the horse is not 'waving' through his back but rather carrying with tension. The rider gently shows him the way back down and forward, the horse's nose will come slightly behind the vertical but he will be basculed and over his back. The horse must not be 'down' low or 'curled behind' and neither must he drop the contact. As time progresses the stallion has been able to carry the rider for longer periods and through upward and downward transitions working from back to front.
Lots of work with outside flexion has been needed, as like most horses this horse likes to blow off the left leg. As soon as he waivers from accepting the action of the outside leg and either drifts off left on the circle, pops his shoulder, or deviates from the correct bit connection when working on the right rein, the rider takes the horse's head to the outside of the circle ( the new inside), and applies the outside leg on the girth ( now becoming the inside leg). There is a necessary give in what was the inside rein ( right rein) and is now the outside rein, and a vibration of the new outside rein. The rider's inside leg taps politely asking the horse to yield in his topline and rib cage and bend around the new 'eft post leg.' Once this is 'accepted' by the horse he is allowed to return with his head and aids flexed inside, and ridden once more from inside leg to outside hand.
Canter work at this stage is short and of quality. The horse is bent around the inside leg in a slight haunches in to allow him to find the correct lead, the inside rein is promptly released as the leg aids are given, and the return to the trot occurs within 6 or 7 strides. If the horse plows down in the downward transition, the rider quickly released the inner rein, half halts unilaterally on the outside rein and proceeds to set the slow but forward posting trot rhythm. It is important to maintain calm at all times and use the created forward energy to encourage the horse to step smartly underneath himself with legs being used softly but assertively. The horse must not learn to blow off the leg during downward transitions. Timing here is everything. More on that another time. A good trainer will quickly see if you are jabbing the horse with the rein, asking for the half halt too long or too strongly or blocking the inside shoulder. You can also think of shoulder in position when you make the downward transition. If your horse really won't listen, then take his head in counter flexion to the outside, send his haunches to the inside and ask for the downward transition again.
Suppling exercises are very important to correct the connection issue. The horse must have some shoulder fore, shoulder in, but not too much bend. The important use here is forward, not four tracks or an FEI level shoulder in. Three strides off a circle or out of a corner, or down the 1/4 line in shoulder in, followed by 3 steps straight, and repeat. If the horse backs off at all, ride some lines straight before returning to asking for shoulder in. The shoulder in is an opportunity to check your work, as you bring the head up and ride in to the connection from your hip to outside 'wall' rein', which slightly blocks and the inside rein that is soft. Neither rein is stiff, both reins are vibrating slightly. Legs are not supportive, but tapping. It may help you to take your stirrups away to get that feel. Many riders think they are tapping but are in fact, gripping. Or their legs are too tight in the thigh gripping and though their ankles bounce a little, their lower legs are stiff and not reaching the horse's side.
Here are some comparison photos to show you : The first photo is the young Andalusian stallion working in suppling trot. The second photo is of my Dutch warmblood cross, Grand Prix horse Charrington, taken some years ago, when he was working into proper connection. He, like the youngster, had a very thick neck as he was gelded late. He also has a very angled but big shoulder which needed to be 'freed.' These horses have much in common. Both have wonderful work ethics, both are black as night, but Charrington had the advantage of never being allowed to 'hide'. This suppling work takes accuracy and patience. Notice both horses have 'listening' ears.
We will then progress to bringing the horse 'up' more of the time, as his back tells us it is strong enough and his gaskin muscle shows more development. Ideally I will see more elevation in the placement of the front hooves as his hind feet step up from behind and more bend in the forward knee. This freedom of shoulder movement is a good indicator of the back strength developing correctly.
I am pleased to report this horse has no 'wobble' to the hock or fetlock joints when viewed from behind, which would require a modified approach. His tail begins to show more 'schwung' as he develops. Stallions are often more intense personalities and it is imperative that the more stoic varieties ( which both Charrington and this stallion are), are not over worked. The rider must not be greedy and rewards, verbal, pats, walk breaks must be frequent.
Remember lots of walk breaks but they must always be active and the horse must still be out there, flexed to the bridle. Every stride counts.
 | |||||
| The Young Apprentice |
 |
| Charrington |
Follow along with the development journal! More later. Hope it helps you.
Need training help? Give us a visit at http://www.WillowviewHillFarm.com
Comments
Post a Comment