fittening excercises.

[FirenLady]

Had the saddle man out a coupla weeks ago. He wasn't happy with the fit of a 17" saddle on Fire so is having a 16 1/2" one made up for him. Its gonna take 6-8 weeks and he said i could do with getting some weight off him/fittness back on him (although he has all the energy of a firework atm). Cos all we've really done for two months is bareback strolls.

He said i could put the wintec back on him for the time being as long as i stuck to walk and canter. the probelm we have is in trot where it tips forwards. Fires not thought much to this. Hes happy to walk, but when you wanna go faster all he wants to do is gallop and he throws himself around like a small child if he is made to canter. Which i spouse is fair enough given hes a speed demon whos only been walked out for 2 months.

So i've decided to stick to walks on hacks about 3 a week generally an hour long. I've been doing lunging too 3 times a week. He doesn't track up very well in trot. he sticks his head in the air and sometimes it looks like his back legs are jogging on the spot. I've found pole work excercises helps him track up much better. I'd like to encourage him to lower his head in trot if possible? He puts it back down once he starts cantering. I know its a long process but its something i'd like to work on. Does what I'm doing with him sound like a good fitterning program?

[otto]

If your pocket can stand the hit invest in a pessoa lunging aid.
The only 'gadget i will use but is really is very good if used correctly. Will help with outline, condition and fitness. ;D

[kateflashy]

a good way of getting top line that they use in sweden is to put a wieght on the headcoller when lunging nothing heavy just helps them to carry them selves better only about half lb wieght

[racaille]

We lunge all our horses in a gogue. But it is not a miracle gadget. The horses have to know how to carry themselves first. But they are useful for lunging as the horse can decide, within the triangle, how it prefers to go and you can get a good trot workout rather than a lope around in a circle!

[Becca]

i do like pessoa's! because of the pulleys the horse isn't as strapped in place, they just have to learn to get used to it. Plus like Otto said it has to be fitted correctly and not over used.

Bernie had a tantrum first time he wore one but it was fine for me as he was fighting himself not me

If when riding all you can do is walk make sure it is a goot forward walk, tracking up, working properly. Use circles and stuff to keep him listening and try shortening ang lengthening strides as this will make him think and work harder

[ceej]

I wish I had a Pessoa - do you find they (like even the most carefully wound electric fencing) getinto a tangle every time you go to put them on? They look like they would!

[Becca]

I only ever used the one at college but didn't find it too bad. Mind you Bernie just stood there while i faffed about so it wouldn't matter if it was muddled

[maximum]

Its not too bad ceej once you get the hang of it and can keep it on the roller in the positions you want it on you soon pick it up- If you get a second hand one though make sure it has the instructions or you know someone who can show you where it all goes!

Kylie - use lots of poles scattered at random on the lunge and this will help him work through his back a bit more. I know he wants to bolt off in gallop and I really dont blame you for giving into the moment and enjoying that rush of speed BUT if you can find a nice upward sloping field then a steady canter up that will help- get light seat and off his back as well. Otherwise walking up the slopes will help.That huge stubble field you posted the pictures of would lend itself to some nice canter serpentines! If he is not just doing 'point and go' he may not be so likely to dash off.
He does seem to naturally go with his head up and high so it may take an awful long time to get him down but persevere- go read Brigs ' ride like a monkey' thread to help you and him get the feel for what you are looking for.

[FirenLady]

thanks for your tips everyone I'm flat broke atm, so a paeossa is outa picture atm. Would one work on a pony that was 14hh and 5ft 3" long? He's quite short coupled.

i think some stubble serpatines are most definatley on our agenda now! I took him across there this morning and stood up off his back and I could really feel himself stretching out under me. funny thing was he became puffed before i did! and he didn't go at his usual break neck speed either - it was very controlled. I tried rising transitions between trot and canter when schooling the other day and he didn't hollow himself as much as he did in sitting trot transitions and didn't stick his head 3 feet up in the air. I'm beginning to aee a pattern....

[brigadier]

Sounds really promising kylie, your boy sounds as though he has had back problems that have encouraged his high head carriage and you are obviously aware of his problems as you are explaining what is going wrong really well- so you are half way there! Try and establish him yielding to pressure on the bit whilst you are stood still, take your hands wide and down and ask him to give- keep the pressure up until he does and dips his head- even a little then reward him- ask for a little more each time until he really understands that the pressure on te bars of his mouth are asking for him to soften his jaw. You can then build this into any pace you ride at- walk first then trot. But remember reward with a really light contact when he yields. Once you have got this you will improve in leaps and bounds so keep trying.

[FirenLady]

Thanks Brig, that sounds a good one. I think I vaguely remeber starting to learn about sofening and yeilding at lessons just before I bought Fire. (then lessons became about how to stay on board). Will def give that a try.