your fav exercises for fixing connection issues

[piedmontfields]

Lorilu, although I am further behind you in schooling, I have found working with the Iberian body type to be such an education! Some things are “easy” with this type, but I have had to really go to school on connection. I like how you described the very small window on neck placement, too. Everything always looks round with my mare, but it isn’t necessarily so!

I’m sure you know this, but the shift from looking connected to being connected can require quite a bit more strength from the horse—and when they’ve been doing the looking connected movement pattern for a while, it can be shocking (and hard) to the horse when you demand true connection.

[lorilu]

@piedmontfields

Lorilu, although I am further behind you in schooling, I have found working with the Iberian body type to be such an education! Some things are “easy” with this type, but I have had to really go to school on connection. I like how you described the very small window on neck placement, too. Everything always looks round with my mare, but it isn’t necessarily so!

I’m sure you know this, but the shift from looking connected to being connected can require quite a bit more strength from the horse—and when they’ve been doing the looking connected movement pattern for a while, it can be shocking (and hard) to the horse when you demand true connection.

so true! And so today Bravo has off… I try to keep the “hard days” broken up with easier days, just on the snaffle, no real collection. and my local PEMF guy comes regularly… then there are the supplements - oral HA (extra after a hard day), cosamine ASU, and some added MSM after a hard day too. FOrtunately I am able to keep them out 24/7, so he’s always stretching his neck and grazing…

[lorilu]

Just wanted to update. After almost two weeks of snaffle/ connection/use your ass work, (much of it at the walk), I have two wonderful rides yesterday and today. He was connected, fairly light, had impulsion - and did not drop the conx in the transitions, AND did not come off it in the piroette canter! Working on nothing but conx every now and again is definitely on my calendar now!

[SuzieQNutter]

Yaaayyyy such a happy post.

[piedmontfields]

That’s a great update. I always find it mind-blowing how focus on a very specific issue yields so much. I have to learn again and again that the tricks are easy, but excellent basics are hard!

[Goforward]

Work over raised poles really helps the back. We all tend to do it as a one day, once in a while thing. But, with horses who have connection trouble, it can help to have them already set up to ride over when the going gets tough.

[lorilu]

@Goforward

Work over raised poles really helps the back. We all tend to do it as a one day, once in a while thing. But, with horses who have connection trouble, it can help to have them already set up to ride over when the going gets tough.

I have cavaletti set up in a lovely treed area where I ride. …I know this is a good addition… but try as I might, he knocks Every.Single.One. Even at a walk. Even when they are barely off the ground. He is even known to clip a ground pole… We are working on it. (and yes I adjust the distance all the time to try and find the magic distance. Have not found it yet.) I am thinking of bringing two up into the arena and lunging him over them set at 6 and 12 oclock…