Been home for over a week not but finally have a large amount of time to devote to Deja. I free lunged him yesterday in the round pen for about 15min. He was more hyper that expected but not out of the norm. We had a great time just being together. I watch for any signs of lameness and saw none. Palpated his back and he did not seem sensitive. It was great watching his downward transition from trot to walk. Great impulsion in his hind end naturally.
This morning I tacked him up and put him on the exercise mill for 30min at a walk. Got on him in the round pen and at first he did not want to trot but then sped up and did great both directions. Only rode for maybe 5min as he seemed fine. Went out to the big arena and walked a loop around. Started to trot and then the old issues were back. He did hunch up and do a mini crow hop once but mostly just felt like he was stuck. Just did not want to go forward and when I would ask with my legs he acted confused.
I have been riding him for about 4 months now off and on. Not a lot of time on his back but we did a Intro B test at a dressage show away from home and he was great. Have gone trail riding many places walk trot canter even alone.
This has me so confused. Not like my sweet easy going horse at all. He was already scheduled for the chiropracter in two weeks and I will have the vet check his back next week. Maybe try a different saddle? Any help or advice would be appreciated.
3 comments:
No, this doesn't sound like Deja at all. He was such an easy baby. Quite good as I recall.
If you are sure there are no physical issues I'd put him back in the snaffle. Didn't he like the french links? I wouldn't worry about his head. I wouldn't care if I had connection.
Saddle fits, bridle fits...He needs to just go. Start with a big swingy walk. Don't worry about having him on the bit, or where his head is. Just go. Get the walk that feels like you're going somewhere. Bob to the head, swing through the back, swish to the tail. Stretchy feeling.
Then start picking up your connection. Start sinking a seat bone on one side or the other, ask for bend, go as far as a leg yield. If the seat bone doesn't get it, start working your way down your leg...thigh, knee, calf, heel...kick. As soon as he gives it, release the pressure, pet him. I wouldn't worry about trying to have him in a 'frame'. I just start with light connection. Remember connection can just be a touch, not a held feeling. If you lose forward, you don't have connection...push him back up don't hold him, try not to give up your position. You may have to...but go right back to it.
Once he is going smoothly forward, and hears your seat for bend, counter-bend, leg yield. Then think about asking for the trot. You're going to have to keep things fresh for Deja. Don't let it become to repetitive or boring. Ground poles, cones, serpentines. Work the snowman, ride a diamond. Ignore his baby foolishness. When he gets it right, let him know he did it right.
I like to start my ride on the diamond. Especially with Top. So your diamond is D-P-X-V. Start at D...ride straight to P, turn left at P, ride straight to X, left at X straight to V. Just ride the pattern. Don't worry about the horse under you, you are just riding this pattern. More focus on the pattern than on the horse. Keep him between your knees and elbows. You have a destination...ride directly to it. If he falls in, or out...straighten him, but don't agonize over it...ride the pattern. Once you have it going left...change to right. DVXP. Hey if you want to go down the arena and use XRGS...go for it. I'm flexible. lol
I'd ask for the trot on the diamond. While you're both thinking about the pattern, go to the trot. And just ride the pattern. Why the diamond works better than a square...I've no clue. But it does.
Is he coming with you in December?
Hi Elicia,
Horspoor sent me your blog yesterday. Deja is absolutely gorgeous. Not bad for where he came from...
I'm sorry to hear he's hit a bump in the road in training, but happy to hear he's recovered from his injuries. That was a long haul, for both of you, and I'm impressed with how far he's come despite it all!
You may have already done this, but I was wondering if he does the same thing under another rider? Can you have someone else ride him, and see what he looks like and if you notice anything?
I'll look for you in December- I'll be home the last two weeks of the month. We can be Top groupies. :)
Emily
Are you "tough" enough to give him a spank for acting up? A growl?
Seems like you're expecting the same horse every time. That doesn't happen with young horses. But if you're saying "Oh, his back is tense, I better quit", you're just rewarding his bad behaviour. It sounds like he's got your number, a bit.
Going from a bitless to a shank is also bound to cut off his flow of energy, if your hands aren't perfect. If he's good in a snaffle, why not stick with it?.
"Propping" as I used to call it, just stickin' to the ground, and threatening to buck, is intimidating. The shank may have given him that idea.
If it was me, I'd take him out of the arena, and let him gallop a bit, relax him, maybe. Get him out in front of your leg, not testing you as to where he's going. Just go!
Try shortening your stirrups, and doing some work other than dressage. Keep him interested.
If he's being ridden "off and on", his training will reflect that. Even then, you won't have the same horse every day. ALl horses, even the best trained ones, have good days and bad days..
My dear old GoLightly horse taught me that.
Are you a strong, positive rider? Are you expecting a sweet calm boy every time?
He sounds a little arena sour, a little bored.
You're giving him lots of opportunity to get his ya-yas out. His "show" picture, he looks like he knows how to drop the bit, and get "behind" you.
Keep him "up" in front, by keeping him forward, always, first.
Love his long ears and his sweet face!
His long ears give him great intelligence, of course:) (jmo)
But that can work against you, sometimes. The smarter the horse, the smarter you have to be, too.
Green horses take lots and lots of time.
Sounds like you're doing everything pretty much right. Don't over analyze WHY he's doing something. Correct the behaviour, with a quick touch of your whip.
Or spur, or voice. Whatever gets him forward.
Then go back to work. No big deal.
Don't baby him, or feel sorry for him.
Thanks to HP for directing me here. What a beautiful horse, and what a great job you've done!
I wanna be a Top groupie, too!
Best of luck, and kudos for that lovely horse!
(sorry for the novel)
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