Couple of schoolingqueriesss!

[chaz_the_star]

Right.

I'm riding a pony, 14.2hh 13yo mare. I think she has been taught how to work correctly, but she has been left in a field for a few years(5 maybe?) and forgotten most, if not all, of what she is doing. Some days all will go well, and we might even get an inside bend in walk, trot and canter. Other days[today ]she'll trot around with her head sticking out and to the outside, and rush off into canter when she feels like it. I would like to know how to make her work in more of a shape, and sit back on her hocks? And use herself correctly really! =]]]

[Marmite]

LOADS of transitions. Trot-walk, walk-trot, trot-halt, halt-trot.......you get the idea. Once she is sitting back a bit more, she should start to stretch through her back and into an outline a bit more. once she's developed the right muscles through that, you'll be able to collect her up a bit more Basically, it'll take time, but be so worth it for the end result.

[summerguest]

If your starting from scratch with an older horse who's muscles are already developed in their own way....you have to redevelop them, which takes time.
Do little and often with lots of work on long rein to allow them to stretch in between, every 5 -10 mins if necessary at beginning. If their muscles get sore and tired resisitance will creep in.

[SA rider]

Specific lunge work has helped loads with my mare who had similar probs. I let her warm up then shorten up the line and do lots and lots of transitions - really really make her listen to me and also make her work from behind at all times. (You can make the circle bigger by walking it bigger as opposed to letting the line out) Since doing plenty of lunge work on a shortened line she has truly begun to listen to me - now when I ride her she is much more attentive and is on her way to tracking up nicely.
I use side reins too as I didn't seem to be getting far with regards to her self carriage - this has also helped a great deal, but obviously you have to be cautious about not pulling the horses head in too far - I use them very loosely in warm up and then bring them in just a little as gentle encouragement to bring her head down. Again it has worked well for me and Chica.