My perfect gelding is doing so well! He is in part training with a dressage trainer and then I get a lesson once or twice a week as part of the training package.
He will sometimes root down and try to yank the reins from me. I am still building core strength and balance after not riding for over a year (the horse I bought last winter, who sent me to the hospital for two days with broken ribs, a punctured lung and a torn bicep does not count because that accident happened on my first ride at home).
Any ideas on how to handle my guy and his rooting? My instructor tells me to use my core to keep him from yanking the reins. Which works. I think I know what you all will tell me: build my strength and my core and he will learn that rooting is a waste of time. He is super smart and once a behavior stops working he gives it up. When I first started riding him in September he would lift his head up in the air to evade the bit. So we rode him on the buckle and had him balance himself. He is a retired track pony horse who was use to a tie down to balance on. He is reaching for the bit now and comfortable with contact. I am using a loose ring French link that he seems to like.
He is very broke, super tolerant. I am a para rider and I think he is going to be freaking crazy good as a para horse. He tries real hard to do the right thing.
Sheilah
