She's laughing at me...

[Silver1]

And I don't blame her, after all the things I've tried to get her to round her neck nicely.

When I bought Mear, she had a little bit of a ewe neck. On closer inspection what I thought was just a conformation fault is actually the way her muscles have been trained. She's got almost no muscle along the top of her neck and big bulgy ones on the underside. She has no problems putting her head down or bending in any direction, and when I walk her, her neck arches nicely, her back lifts and its a joy to both ride and drive.

When she starts to trot, thats where the problems come. Her back hollows, her head comes up and goes stiff as a board and she motors around like that. It makes for a stiff, uncomfortable ride and no power on earth will make it bend in that nice, soft outline. (This by the way is on the ground for driving, though I've tried working her in the saddle)

These are the things I have tried to date:

Non-mechanical:
Carrot Stretches
Lateral Flexion
Vertical Flexion
Clicker Training

Mechanical:
Tieing Reins to cinch

None of the stretching exercises worked. I think she needs to build the muscles along the top of her neck more then anything else, but I don't know how to do that.

[Kate F.]

Hi Silver!

Have you had her looked at by a vet and/or equine chiropractor/osteopath? If she goes that well in walk, and it all falls apart in trot in the way you describe, it sounds as though there could well be something physical causing the problem.

I think I'd start with a full professional examination of her back and neck - and take it from there. Another possible problem is a saddle that pinches or presses - but as it happens with and without rider, this seems less likely. (If it were the saddle, the problem would probably be worse ridden than driven) However, I'd get that professionally checked too - as it could be a contributing factor. Once any pain is eliminated, there are plenty of exercises you can do to help her bring her head down in trot - but she may just gradually correct it herself when it doesn't hurt any more.

Good luck!

[Silver1]

Oops forgot to add that her neck and back have been looked at, as well as her legs and her hips. (Thought I might as well be thorough)

[kedwards]

It can help to do work over ground poles and on varied terrain (hills, etc.). These sort of exercises encourage a horse to round, while helping to build up their hind end and topline muscles.

[Kate F.]

I agree poles and things are a good idea - basically anything that makes the horse look at where it's putting its feet. You can also try building a maze with poles so there are lots of turns.

It can also help to just make the transition and come straight back to walk - so don't ask for too much at first. Get a good round outline in walk, and make sure your hand is really soft, but that you have a hold on the rein. Bring up the energy gradually to a faster walk, then slower walk, keeping the outline. Then go to faster walk and just a few steps of trot, and see if you can keep the outline. As you make the trot transition, close your hand a little, but don't pull back. This will mean that if she tries to throw her head up, she'll bump against the bit, but if she stays soft and round she won't. Have lots of patience and plenty of time - and wait for her to find it. If she manages to make just one or two steps of trot staying soft and round, come straight back to walk and give her a long rein and lots of stroking on her neck. If she throws her head up, come back to walk, get her soft and round, and try again. Pretty soon she'll work out that staying soft and round leads to more comfort, while throwing her head up means she bumps against the bit.

Keep it really slow and controlled at first, and when she gets the idea you can build up longer and faster trots. Make sure that you are very consistent with making the right shape comfortable, but don't be tempted to "punish" the wrong shape - just let her make herself uncomfortable, and let her find the comfortable place again.

I'd also not be tempted to try gadgets and gizmos. I think they'll only build up more and more resistance. She knows how to do it, because she can do it in walk. She just has to learn that the same applies in trot.

It's going to take a while to break the habit - but be patient, stick at it, and I'm sure you'll get there!

[welshcoblady1]

hello . in order for your horse to start to build top line ,she has to be
encouraged to stretch her existing top line and through her back.
horses that have the upside down shape have usualy pulled them selves along in front ,hollowed their back and are weak behind .

if you school your horse for short periods long and low ,this will help to encourage lengthening of the top and back muscles and will also encourage her to bring her hocks under and then to begin to self carriage ,this will be hard work for your horse to start ,short periods to start .

remove any bits that may have a head raising action , ask for a working walk whilst keeping a soft allowing contact , use your little finger to bring the rein to you alternatley as she lowers her head soften your hand and yeild but keep the walk active .

keep your back and seat soft and try to remain up right with a long leg from your hip .

once she is happy to yeild and lower her neck and head use a little wrist action towards you and back to ask her to flex alittle to the inside ,do this on both sides ,not pulling with your arms just your fingers and wrist.

then when she is happy doing that ask her to lower and relax ,then ask for 5-10 srides of trot keeping your seat and back soft ask her to yeild in trot with your fingers and wrist as in walk.

keeping the trot long and flowing not to fast or she will lose her balance and her neck and head will come up maybe past your hands .

in the trot see that you are on the correct diagnal and try not to rise to high .

with time and patients riding forward but yeilding when she softens and lengthens alittle , she will find things more comfortable and balanced .

[Silver1]

those are really good ideas, all of them! Thanks so much I will try them!