Schooling horse

[marchhare2006]

Hello,

I am doing some general schooling with a 19 year old mare that hasn't been doing much work lately but has been quite well schooled in the past so she does remember school figures and responds well to leg/seat aids and has a nice soft mouth.

The main problem she has is that she is very unbalanced going around corners in trot and especially in canter. I am doing lots of circles and serpentines with her but can anyone recommend some good exercises to do with her to mix it up a bit and keep her interested?

[chickyd444]

in my experience, time is the best remedy for improving balance , if you keep up what your doing, because it sounds perfect:) you will find her natural balance will improve, it just takes a while and like you said she has nt done any thing for a while. ;)

[wundahoss]

First make sure it isn't a physical issue. Have her back & saddle, her neck, teeth & feet checked. Saddles frequently cause problems that are attributed to balance. As a matter of fact, the best source of information on saddling for the benefit of the horse that I've come across is a mob called Balance International & their website is informative.

Trainingwise, you can use poles, either vertical or on the ground, and other obstacles for her to go over or around, do serpentines and hill work. 'Passenger lessons' are great for teaching (the horse and the rider) self carriage and better balance - just riding her wherever she wants to go on a loose rein, but in whatever gait you choose - you only pick up rein contact or use your legs if she speeds up or slows down without you asking. This is also a very good way of teaching her to be responsible about staying in gait too.

[kt_luvs_smartie]

make sure that she doesnt have any physical problems as wundahoss said, if shes ok to do it then do shallow loops, tear drops, different size circles, leg yielding on a circle, counter flexion, build up your 3 loop serpentines into 4 loops ones if you have room, figure of 8s, changing the frame of the horse so working in an outline and then long and low then pick her up again then long and low again. Transitions make a horse supple through its back so do lots of quick transitions and transitions within paces. When shes more established do the lateral work: turns on forehand, leg yield, shoulder in, travers ect. this will supple the horse up through the muscles down the side of her body. if you have any more questions PM me:D

[coss]

i find spirals are great for all horses young and old (and inbetween). i use them on both my horses to help with suppleness which in turn helps balance. it also stopped one of them going disunited in canter (Thats how bad his balance in canter was) when combined with teaching him haunches in so he couldnt' throw them out to try and help his balance.
counter flexion can be good although my mare has decided its easier to balance round a turn if she's looking the wrong way :confused: