The issues with my legs - I think it's a lot of me just moving them around. my equitation has really suffered in the past several years. I'm used to just zipping around all the trails around my barn, not focusing on my seat. If it is indeed the saddle fit, well there's nothing I can do about that I'm in no way capable of buying another one :(
That quote clears some things up for me. Since I was told to left-right and I've been doing it, he doesn't seem to listen to my commands to slow down to a different gait. He'll speed up because I'm not pulling back to "whoa", instead urging him on with my legs. Interesting. I never thought of a clenched jaw, but I guess I would do the same thing if there was a bit in my mouth.
I did a little more research this morning over a few sites and they all seem to be insisting that doing more dressage work, leg yields and the like. Many of them also tell me that just having them "set their heads" using either the "sawing" method or artificial aids is only a quick fix and isn't what you really want. I believe I have a dressage book somewhere in my home library, I'll see if I can find it and get some tips out of there.
Since I was told to left-right and I've been doing it, he doesn't seem to listen to my commands to slow down to a different gait.
Yep. Chances are good--again, obviously it's hard to say for sure without seeing you two, but chances are good--that what you're doing with the sawing is teaching him to drop behind the bit in particular and your aids in general. So maybe you get a reasonably attractive shape to his head and neck, but you can't really influence the horse and/or his way of going.
I don't think using the bit is wrong, by any means. It's there for a reason, yes? But it's only part of the picture. Better to ride the whole horse.
I'd much rather ride the entire horse correctly, then just have a quick fix that's only there for cosmetic reasons. It's not fair to him because it's not comfortable for him.
I'm going to see if I can get a friend to videotape me riding later this week. It's hard to critique yourself as well when you're in the moment riding.
That quote clears some things up for me. Since I was told to left-right and I've been doing it, he doesn't seem to listen to my commands to slow down to a different gait. He'll speed up because I'm not pulling back to "whoa", instead urging him on with my legs. Interesting. I never thought of a clenched jaw, but I guess I would do the same thing if there was a bit in my mouth.
I did a little more research this morning over a few sites and they all seem to be insisting that doing more dressage work, leg yields and the like. Many of them also tell me that just having them "set their heads" using either the "sawing" method or artificial aids is only a quick fix and isn't what you really want. I believe I have a dressage book somewhere in my home library, I'll see if I can find it and get some tips out of there.
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Yep. Chances are good--again, obviously it's hard to say for sure without seeing you two, but chances are good--that what you're doing with the sawing is teaching him to drop behind the bit in particular and your aids in general. So maybe you get a reasonably attractive shape to his head and neck, but you can't really influence the horse and/or his way of going.
I don't think using the bit is wrong, by any means. It's there for a reason, yes? But it's only part of the picture. Better to ride the whole horse.
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I'm going to see if I can get a friend to videotape me riding later this week. It's hard to critique yourself as well when you're in the moment riding.
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Very good idea.
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