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Post by racaille on Oct 19, 2008 6:39:57 GMT
Perhaps you could try just surprising her by not doing the other rein canter straight away? Do the 'good side' canter, then move into a different exercise altogether, to keep her thinking. When she's settled again, only then ask for a canter on the other rein.
This also happens a lot with horses who get used to striking off in a certain place, eg a corner for a horse that has difficulty getting off on the right lead.
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Post by brigadier on Oct 20, 2008 9:20:50 GMT
She sounds really clever and sharp your little mare, I would bore her to calm her- lots of repetitive movements involving serpentines, I cant imagine she has much rhythm if she is anticipating everything so it is this aspect of the work you need to work on.
Try working serpentines, after a gentle warm up (no cantering)- three or five loop so you change the rein and do these in a slow rising trot working her deep and round- do this for at least twenty minutes (time yourself) and compare how the last few loops are in comparison with the first- are the steps even, is she breathing regularly and can you hear a rhythmical pattern to her hoof steps- are they becoming quieter? Then do another ten minutes of the same exercise but everytime you cross the centre line do a half halt, almost bringing her back to walk- again time yourself and compare the last few loops with the first.
Let her walk on a long rein to catch her breath, then repeat the first exercise again until she is settled and getting into rhythm- she should settle a lot quicker- then once she is working calmly (after twenty mins) at A and at C pop in a 20m circle at canter. Just do one then on returning to the marker resume the serpentines until you get to the other marker where you can do the canter at the other end on a the other rein. Do this exercise for at least another fifteen minutes, then cool down and finish.
Dont get over-excited if she doesnt do the canter properly reseme the serpentines and ask again in the correct place- this is about establishing a pattern of work with her to encourage her to settle and have confidence in you to help her do this- it may be the only way she can relax and start working to your pace and commands not her own. You have a whole schooling session here of about an hour and ten minutes which is designed to calm a horse- if you deviate from the pattern ask yourself is it because you are bored or is it because its not working- be honest! If you ride like you type I suspect you are an enthusastic rider also so you need to develop this patience in your work with her.
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Post by maximum on Oct 20, 2008 9:55:04 GMT
is there any possibility of a wee video of her canter work? would help to see what exactly is going on with this bright wee girl!
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Post by brigadier on Oct 20, 2008 11:07:15 GMT
good idea maxie!!!
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Post by brigadier on Oct 20, 2008 20:14:19 GMT
good for you!
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Post by maximum on Oct 20, 2008 21:05:20 GMT
good on you!! she is certainly coming on well! still want that video though!  |
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Post by fleabitten on Oct 21, 2008 15:48:52 GMT
What about trying walk to canter to make her think about the actual pace instead of just going up a gear? I was watching a dressage lesson last week and the rider was asked to walk a 10m circle off the track (collect the walk up, nice and active with impulsion and bend) and as they reached the track they had to make a transition to canter. If 10m walking is too hard you could try 15m even.
I think before you try walk to canter you should practice a bit with halt to trot and then trot to halt.
You could even progress to canter to walk?
Doing lateral work will probably help to to help her concentrate. So if she starts going sideways then you could leg yeild or shoulder in and she should calm down.
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Post by maximum on Nov 9, 2008 21:01:55 GMT
still waiting..................
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Post by Jen on Nov 10, 2008 19:30:34 GMT
so that means that there is a vid tonihgt???
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Post by Jen on Nov 10, 2008 20:30:38 GMT
we better. i know where you live (sort of but i know how to find you!!)
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
