Third Ride on Diego

[aBreeze]

well, Im reschooling Diego for my cousin. The last few years hes been messed up by young girls. He just needs to learn to relax, and then we can get somewhere. He's been in a tomthumb for a long time... but I took him off that asap. I have a curb in his mouth, but Im using the snaffle. Anyways, critique him and me please... Ill try to explain each pic...

Hes very sour about cinching, so Ill tighten teh saddle just enough so it wont slip off, then we do a few minutes of ground work and stretching, then Ill tighten it. I dont ride him with the girth tight, it fits good enough so its not going anywhere.

giving to the side... hes still a bit stiff and fights it at first. once he'll stand and give to each side and down, then we move onto going forward

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/stand.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/givetome.jpg

and then to moving around... Im just trying to get him to RELAX... and asking him very gently for some give...

in the middle of asking for a bit of give...

his neck is locked...

a bit better, giving him his head and letting him move... he always expects you to jerk on the reins... poor boy... look up Bria!

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/slower.jpg

hes relaxing... now just to lower his head and lift his back... but one thing at a time

I really need to look up!

backing... hes stiff, but after some coaxing he does a few steps

BTW Diego is a 19yr Arab gelding. If you want, you can take the time to do a confo critique as well. I havent really taken the time to look at him other to notice his big head, huge hoofs, cowhocks, short pasterns, lack of topline, and swayed back which works with the lack of topline.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/angle.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/donfo.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/walkkaway.jpg

this is him just being a goof
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d143/aBreeze00511/beasts/diego/itchin.jpg

 

[Cheeky]

You can see him starting to relax .. slightly, but still relaxing.

Good work Nice photos .. lovely snow .. arent his feet cold? lol .. need some horse - uggies

 

[LCQH]

He's a cutie.
You look like you're doing a good job on him, keep it up!

 

[aBreeze]

thanks! lol, sorry I havnt been on in a while...

just for reference... this is what Im dealing with ->

I hope you can see a difference...

 

[Tootsie4U]

Raise your hands when you ask him to soften. If you look at pic 3 (and a few others) your hands are on your thighs.

Try keeping them about 4 inches *above* his wither and then flex the reins.

You may not realize it but with your reins that low, your actually pulling his head down inadvertently. If your re-training with relaxation as your primary goal its important for you to consider this in your training program.

 

[aBreeze]

Raise your hands when you ask him to soften. If you look at pic 3 (and a few others) your hands are on your thighs.

Try keeping them about 4 inches *above* his wither and then flex the reins.

You may not realize it but with your reins that low, your actually pulling his head down inadvertently. If your re-training with relaxation as your primary goal its important for you to consider this in your training program.

actually I do know that, lol, again my bad... just like how Im pulling up and over rather than down and back... so I have opposite problems on two different things!

One of the main reasons[other than just plain doing it wrong] was that my reins are VERY long, they work great on my QH mare, but with his 14.2 they can and will drag...