Tense trot work

[Lottie_B]

I've just found your site and have found many useful tips - Cheers! So I wondered if anyone has any suggestions for my little (?!) problem.

I have a mare who is rising six who has lovely paces and is very intelligent(probably more than me!). The problems begin when I ride in a school environment she quickly shows resistance by setting her head and neck and stiffening through her back which makes her trot work tense and uncomfortable. I have tried to keep her relaxed by offering her a loose rein but this doesn't appear to have any effect.

I would appreciate any advice or ideas on what to try now, I have found it difficult to find a suitable trainer in my area and work full time so my horse time is precious!!

Thanks
Lottie B

[Heather]

HI Lottie

Where do you live?

Heather

[Lottie_B]

Heather>Thanks for the reply. I live in South Staffordshire and most of the trainers in the county are north of the county. It is also difficult to fit lessons in after work so we are confined to weekends which are always full. This year has been especially bad because of F&M.

I think my horse may feel bored by being ridden inside for so long, do you think that this could be the case?

Thanks again for your help,

Lottie

[Heather]

It could well be, Lottie that she is tense because of this.

It really helps to think slow and soft when working in the school with a horse like this.Also, make sure that you are working in rising trot- you can slow your rising trot tempo- in other words slightly slow down the moment that your rear end returns to the saddle- close your thigh seat muscles a little as you sit- don't overdo it or your horse may stop altogether! - which will make your horse have to sort of 'catch you down' rather than catch you up. This slows the tempo without recourse to the reins. If you do need to use the rteins, makes sure that youa re not pulling back, as it will make your horse pull against you and want to go faster. if you do need to resist the forrward movement with the reins, close your fingers more tightly around them ( obviously not on a loose rein or it will have not effect) at the same time as you begin to slow your own sit/rise tempo.

Also work in plenty of changes of direction, bends like shallow loops, large demi-voltes, large serpentines, anything that will improve concentration.

This should help, but may take a few days for your horse to cotton on. Persevere, and let me know if it is any better.


Cheers,



Heather

[Heather]

HI Lottie,

Try working your horse in rising trot, doing lots of changes of direction, bends, large shallow loops, demi-voltes, serpentines, anything to keep the concentration focused.

Also use your body weight to slow the tempo- as your seat returns to the saddle, think of slowing te return, holding slightly by closing your seat and thigh muscles, so that the horse tries toget back in sync with you by slowing the tempo too.

Actualy think the rhythm slower too- this often works remarkably well.

Be careful too that you are rising to the trot correctly and not thumping down on her back- your seat shouldreturn to the saddle lighly, just touching down, your pelvis then to be propelled forwards again by the horse's own momentum. If you land heavily, this will cause a lot of horses to scoot out from under the seat and tank off in trot.

Try this and let me know how it goes.


Heather

[Lottie_B]

Heather> Thanks for the advice , i'll certainly give it a try over the weekend and let you know how it goes!!

Lottie

[Lottie_B]

:) Hi Heather, I have been trying out the ideas you passed on to me. Trying to get myself to slow my rising and relax took a little getting used to but did seem to work and our rythmn got better.

This may seem a little strange but it seems that we can be relaxed and going ok, but when we change the rein we go back to being tense again and then it takes time to get back to where we were which makes school movements a bit hit and miss. Could this be a lack of balance or just a lapse in concentration?

Huge Thanks!
Lottie

[fionahogg]

Could she be in some form of pain that's making it uncomfortable to work on the bit? She could have sharp teeth/sore back?

Fiona.