Sigh……….

[_Bex_]

Sigh……….

Currently I lease a gelding and luv him to bitz, I have been working with him for a year now. We have done a few shows but I really feel like my bad riding is holding him back.

I think things are mainly the way they are because I don’t fully understand some concepts, so when I try and do something and it turns out wrong I presume Im doing it wrong.

However my instructor seems to think its just that I don’t ask enough of him and other say that I don’t try hard enough, though I do. Im confused…

I have to use spurs when I ride because my horse is LAZY but my legs are unco and I jab him almost every stride. I try not to use them at all but as soon as I don’t he slows down and doesn’t go forwards enough, which he needs to build muscle but I feel bad jabbing him.

But then I think if he went forwards enough then I wouldn’t need to be constantly jabbing him. (Whip has no effect) sigh………. Im out of breath from reading my own post

[Naturally]

Try to make sure you are sitting back a little. It allows his front end to come up so he can maintain the stride.

This is not done much in traditional circles, but for what it's worth..... in PNH we allow a horse to break gait, then ask them to transition up again, but ONLY after they have broken gait. The horse soon learns that it takes more effort to break gait than to maintain it.

There is a great task we use to teach this, but your instructor will probably go ballistic. We call it a passenger lesson.

Have yourself in an arena or safe yard. The horse is allowed to go wherever he wants as long as he doesn't break gait. You are not allowed to pick up your reins unless he transitions up to a higher gait, at which time you bring him down to the desired gait, then release your reins again.

Start at the walk and get it solid first so that he is not stopping. If he breaks gait and stops (usually at the gate or exit point) you pick up the reins and move him off (just long enough that he is walking again, the drop your reins again and allow the walk. You may have to do it 10 times, you may have to do it 20. It doesnt matter. Even if it's all you get through in a session, it's a great exercise.

Next session start at the walk again, then ask him at the trot. Same rules apply. After you've been doing it at the trot for a few sessions/days and you feel confident, you might like to ask for the canter, but only if you're confident.

This exercise not only teaches the horse not to break gait, but it is fantastic for building your independant seat.

Look for signs of positive reflex from your horse before you assume he
"has" it. His ears should be forward, his head low or even and his gait even and relaxed (as your seat should be)

The key to this is NOT to get frustrated at the break of gait. Think of it as a lesson on transitions. ;)
Good luck

[_Bex_]

thanx ill try it