[QUOTE=SuzieQNutter;8625913]
I agree. The way to lift a horse’s head in sitting trot is with your stomach muscles. In rising trot you use your inside leg.[/QUOTE]
Flexions can also help unlocking the front end (for the energy to go through) but a soft/fluid connection is a must.
Spongeing the rein at least can help softening the connection but damn, really bumping?!? I wouldn’t pay a professional to hear that kind of advices.
SuzieQNutter - I am trying to bring myself to find a different instructor, I just feel so bad. I’m not using a chambon, it’s different and it is specifically just a loop so that my horse can’t fix himself on it. That is also what I am worried about with solid side reins, that he could very easily just get himself nicely fixed on them? I think I have a terrible habit of pulling back, I don’t even realise that I’m doing it. I definitely need to think more about my position when I ride, I certainly can’t be helping him…
alibi_18 - thanks for explaining. That technique wouldn’t work anyway as I pretty much have to drop the reins when my horse throws his head up because otherwise he will not come back to me. I find flexions are good, but again, he often realises that he’s at risk of having to use himself so then he gets upset.
If you mean nicely fixed as a bad thing that doesn’t happen.
As with riding you don’t concentrate on the front. The side reins are loose. They don’t pull the head in. It doesn’t happen in the first time you lunge him.
You concentrate on the hind end and getting that working. The reins you will see a difference on day 3. As I said you need to be taught to use them and what is the correct length.
I am afraid I am too far away to help you.
As for - he throws his head up and you drop the reins. As I said horses learn from release of pressure. If you put pressure on (pick up reins) he throws head. You release reins you have given him a release of pressure. Voila you have taught him to throw his head.
Also if throwing his head is a dangerous thing then you are in the realm of danger I spoke about with teaching him to rear.
If he doesn’t know any different then reins mean turn and stop. Legs mean go. To apply them at the same time to a horse that doesn’t understand is confusing. It is a confused horse that throws it’s head, rears, bucks, spins, etc.
It is a skilled rider who teaches a being that doesn’t understand English that they can mean other things.
Oh right, sorry about that - I’ve not really used side reins before. I may ask someone more experienced to show me how to.
Yes, I’m across the pond so would be a bit of a trek!
I find, however, that if I keep a contact then he just keeps prancing around with his head in the air which is not ideal, but then I suppose having taught him to throw his head is also not ideal…For now, I don’t think that I am at risk of him rearing as he will keep going and not stop even in giraffe mode. But all the same it is something I should be cautious of.
I’m not that skilled, and don’t pretend to be, so I am beginning to look for a new dressage instructor who will be able to help me out. I am definitely realising that perhaps I need a change.
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