English

Heavy Hands

Jumpittb — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:29:21 GMT

So.... I had to ride my last horse with fairly heavy hands (it would take a big long explanation for the reasoning and some of you wouldnt get it unless you actually rode him lol) but the last thing I wanted to do with my 3 yr old tb Tonic was lay on her mouth so I concentrated on keeping a very soft hand which she responds to well, and never had any problems keeping it with the light beginning training. Now she is five and finally old enough to move into more intense training, and I'm starting to catch myself tightening up out of habit even though I have not been on my old horse in years (I did ride him for seven years straight though) I have her in a DR. Bristol happy mouth so it doesn't add much pressure but thats no excuse! I know how to soften my hands no problem, I just want to know if anybody has any tricks to keep myself from slipping as I concentrate on other things..... Big giant 'soften your hands sign' pinned to her ears???? lol (don't worry I wont do that)

Marcel Toulouse Saddles

madel_equestrian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:36:28 GMT

Does anyone have any experience with the Marcel Toulouse saddles? I am looking at one of their new model monoflap dressage saddles. How do they fit? how do they hold up? Any comments?

Am I Wasting My Time?

My Gracie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:38 GMT

I'm riding a nice mare who, in my half-educated opinion, has great dressage potential. She's about 7 years old and has never done anything but hunters. She has wonderful gaits and great work ethic, but she's very strong and heavy on the forehand. She's usually ridden in a slow twist copper snaffle to keep her up off the bit. She's not a bolter or unsafe at all. I don't think she likes her bit, so I got permission to ride her in my loose ring french link. I ride her about once a week, and the rest of the time (at least once or twice a week) she's ridden by hunter students.

I'm getting really fond of this mare and what she can teach me, and she's beginning to respond well to half-halts, but boy do I have to be strong with them (I mean in my body: I don't use the reins much in half-halts). She doesn't try to yank the reins away as much with me as she does with her other riders/other bit, but still, I wonder if I'm ever going to make much impression on her considering the amount of time I can spend with her. So far I've only ridden her about 4 or 5 times. She's apparently a good jumper, but I'm not interested in doing that with her. Would you think dressage is a lost cause with her? Am I being a fool to ride her in the gentler bit?

Anticipating the Canter Problems

cafl — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:56:05 GMT

Hey, Everyone!

I've gotten some great advice here recently and in the past, so more wonderful advice would be greatly appreciated

My horse and I are having some kind of communication issues when it comes to canter trasitions:

When I go to ask him for the first canter of our ride (aids: outside leg behind the girth, inside leg on the girth, raise inside rein, say, "canter") he doesn't always get it immediately and sometimes runs into the canter. AFTER that first canter, our problems begin. When I ask him to trot again, he gets tense and starts rushing. Even when I relax and get him to relax more, the problems continue. When I go to circle him at the trot to prepare for another canter transition, he anticipates and starts to canter without me asking him.

I have tried work on frequent transitions to keep him sharp and listening, calming him down with longer periods of walks/halts and trots/halts, etc. and he seems to be getting worse and worse. Once we have begun to canter in our daily ride, he starts anticipating at the trot more and more, and starts feeling like he's hopping around like a bunny

My instructor says he's just trying to run the show, but I'm not sure if it's an issue of confusion, discipline or a combo and of how to correct it.

Please help.

Getting him on the Bit?

Eclipse295 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:52:58 GMT

I am trying to get my Gelding on the bit but all he does is through his head, rear, or yank the reins out of my hands and then buck. Any ideas how I can get him on the bit correctly?

chomping the bit

asharri — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:40:21 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice with my 8 year old paint gelding. Basically everytime I ask him to accept the bit he starts chomping on it. When I say chomping I really mean it. It is loud enough you can hear him from halfway across the arena. He doesn't really fight the contact he just accepts the bit and starts chomping (no head tossing or anything like that). I have had his teeth checked twice by two different vets and both say they are fine. I've only had him since July so I don't really know a lot of his history. I have him in a loose ring french link snaffle right now and I've tried a KK which he really hated. The girl that I bought him from had him in a french link happy mouth but I really don't see (or hear) a difference in what I'm using to that. I kind of feel like maybe this is more of a nervous habit for him but I don't know for sure and I don't have tons of extra money to go around trying tons of different bits so I was just wondering if anyone might have some advice of things I can try. Or do you think this is something that I don't really need to worry about?

Thanks

Changing from hunters to dressage and jumping

653439 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:22:56 GMT

Dressage: have done intro level before, on a previous horse but it has been a few years. had our first lesson Wed. with a trainer who shows Grand Prix. My, what a work out. And was expensive ($90!). I enjoyed it and plan to ride in shows next year. Trainer said my horse would be competitive at rated shows, at lower levels. that is all I was expecting and wanted when I bought this horse 5 years ago.

Jumping. We are only beginning to canter crossrails. I'm a middle aged adult so not too courageous but my goal is 2'3" and at least do some schooling shows. Maybe combine dressage and jumping and do some lower level eventing.

Trainer at my barn is a wonderful hunter/jumper trainer but knows nothing about dressage. She is open to having the dressage trainer come once a month to give lessons.

I still want to take jumping lessons. So how do I negotiate this? Trainer at barn only does hunter equitation and I can see that dressage equitation is different. So I don't know how to go about taking jumping lessons while I am also working on dressage. It took me a year to get brave enough to canter a crossrail and I don't want to lose that.

Thanks for any suggestions you can provide!

Anyone planning on going to WEG?

twotrudoc — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:27:33 GMT

AND.....who are you hoping to see from the US compete, if you're going to be there or not? Jumpers? Dressage? Eventing?

I am hoping to see Amy Tryon for the eventing and Jennifer Schrader-Williams on H S Wistar for dressage :)

Help With 2 Point

cafl — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:01:44 GMT

Hi, everybody:)

Since about April 2009, when my horse and I got back into lessons my horse and I have been steadily improving together, but one little thing is holding us back: I am having a heck of a time keeping my legs underneath me and my butt out of the saddle when I trot and especially canter in two point.

Does anybody have some really good advice about how to improve my two-point without me 1. tensing up and, therefore, making my horse tense 2. leaning too far forward 3. falling down onto my horse's back?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Blanket for a Draft Cross

salsquatch1 — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:11:53 GMT

Does anyone know of any blanket out there for Drafts or Draft crosses? The horse I'm looking for is wearing a 87" Weatherbeta and it's a little too small for him!

Second "Girth" Strap on a Dressage Saddle?

flakemusic — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:40:34 GMT

The Passier PSL that I ordered on trial came today, and when looking it over I noticed it has something that I can only relate to as a back cinch on a Western saddle. I've never seen this on a dressage saddle, but it doesn't seem to be removable. What is its' point? Is it common? I've ridden in a lot of various English saddles over the years, and have never seen one.

Flying lead change!!!

dodger10298 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:56:25 GMT

I was at a show and we did a flying lead chane well two. i tried it at home and we couldent do it, well we would but one at a time is there anything yall know that is like a secret to lead changes????

training aids for dressage...what are your opinions??

xBetterBeSocialx — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:25:51 GMT

Okay...here's the scoop. I have a Dressage horse that is having a very very hard time keeping his head where it needs to be in Canter. I have tried pretty much everything to help him understand what he needs to do, but it's just not working. I am personally not a fan of too many training aids, but I'm running out of ideas. I have done lots of side rein work on the longe line and I tried him in a neck stretcher, but it's just not helping. What do you think about draw reins or martingales? What have you used and how did your horse do? As I said, I'm not a fan of training aids, but I think he may just be a horse who needs one.

Thanks in advance for you help!

tall boots?

crittergirl — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:48:01 GMT

Ok all you boot/English experts: I am super-duper new to English riding (I've spent my whole life strolling through trails in a western saddle, or no saddle at all) and as such I have decided I want a pair of English riding boots (I think I would rather get tall boots than regular boots and half chaps, but I am not 100% sure on that). I don't have really any money to spend on boots, and I only want synthetic materials (no leather!!) and I am at a loss as to what boots are good and what boots are just simply p.o.c.

I kind of like the look of the Saxon Equileather Tall Field boot, and looking through the reviews they seem to be decent boots without a huge price tag. Unfortunately I have also read bad reviews saying they fall apart as soon as you break them in.

What do all you seasoned tall boot riders use? Thank you in advance!

Best Dressage Saddles That Won't Break the Bank?

flakemusic — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:39:39 GMT

The Collegiate Senior Event model that I bought years ago needs some work (could stand to be reflocked) and is too wide on Lily. I was considering just getting a saddle fitter out, but after riding in my trainer's dressage saddle for months, I've been spoiled and would like to get one for Lily and I rather than going through the trouble of spending money on my old saddle just to save up for a new one in a year or so. I would definitely consider a saddle fitter for a nice used saddle that needs minor adjustments if I can find one Lily and I both like.

I've been looking on Ebay and reading reviews. So far the saddles in my price range have been Collegiate's Jessica, a Stubben Avalon, and a reflocked with wool Wintec Isabelle (which was snatched up as it was going for $450, but looked amazing, darn!)

Any opinions on these saddles, or suggestions for others? On CL around here all the dressage saddles in a 16 1/2 med. tree are going for $1,000+ which is, I feel, outside of my negotiating range. There is an Hermes Steinkraus listed for $350... drool... have to remind myself to focus on the dressage saddles. :)

Any input/suggestions about good and bad models, and where to look around are appreciated!

Older TB mare seems to have lost her marbles ...

ponypower24 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:04:31 GMT

Greetings. I'm new to the forums and come here seeking some advice.This is a long and complicated question, so please bear with me.

I own a 21-year-old Thoroughbred mare named Piper. I've owned her since she was 13 and have done everything from dressage to jumpers to Pony Club with her. She has always been very much a packer -- calm as could be and easy to handle. She had Thoroughbred mare moments on occasion, but was overall an angel.

She lived by herself in a big field at my parents' house in Virginia until this June when I moved her to a boarding farm in Pennsylvania where I currently live because of my husband's job. For one year, Piper was a pasture ornament in Virginia because I could not afford to keep her in Pennsylvania. :(

Thankfully, I was able to bring her here in June. She now lives in a stall during the day and is turned out in a large field at night. We are slowly working on getting her back into shape. The process has been tricky; she has arthritis in both hocks, an old bone spur above her right front coronary band and pulled her left front superficial flexor tendon five years ago, so she has a host of lameness issues that make her sore on occassion. She is on a senior joint supplement and receives monthly glucosamine shots to keep her comfortable.

Now that you have the background, here is the dilemma: She's literally lost her mind. She is EXTREMELY tense when I get on. She occasionally has good days, but mostly she jigs around, throws her head up when I ask for contact, constantly breaks into the canter when trotting, runs sideways, and is just a mess overall. I've tried to jump her twice and both times she raced at the jumps and flung herself over them. Her behavior is dangerous to both of us.

Lunging doesn't help at all. She is extremely quiet on the lunge most of the time. Even when she does run, it never wears her out and I don't want to run her into the ground and risk hurting her.

More turnout isn't an option and my trainer and I have ruled at this point that she probably has more mental energy than physical energy. It's definitely a nervous type of energy.

Her teeth are being check by the vet next week. She is due to have her teeth floated, so maybe he will find something that could be causing her pain. I have a massage therapist coming out this week to work on her, so that might help her to relax, too. I tried a calming supplement and it didn't work. I'm trying a mare supplement next, as her heat cycles cause her to be even more ridiculous.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Have I overlooked anything? For now, my game plan is to stay away from the arena, which seems to be causing her extreme stress, and hit the trails to try and get her to relax. She loves trail rides, so I'm hoping that will help.

I'm at my wit's end, so any advice would be wonderful. Thank you so much for reading this novella and for any responses in advance. :) I want my old horse back. :(

Jenni (and Piper!)

Major Seat Problems!! :(

huntseat_chic — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:59:20 GMT

I have been riding for about four years now. Over the summer I was a pretty great rider ( that is good enough to win first place out of ten riders in junior huntseat walk/trot) and I should have gotten better. The complete opposite happened and I haven't just gotten worse, I've gotten to be a terrible rider. The trouble is all in my seat. Let me explain this short and sweet:

I sit on the right side of the saddle ( enough for you to be able to read what's written on the back of my shirt ). My right leg is almost completely invisible from behind because I sit on one side. My right toe points out. My left knee is always on the horse. My left toe points straight. My right hand is always closed. My left hand is always open. If you can't already tell, everything I'm doing causes my horse to run into the rail. My problem: I can't stop.

When it really shows is on my turns. Because my left hand is open, allowing my body to sit on the right hand side of my horse, I don't steer. Because my body is twisted, when I feel like I've pulled my hand all the way behind my but, and I'm falling off the horse, all I've done is turn my body straight. My horse can't feel me turn, and so he doesn't know when to turn. He always slows dramatically in the turns because he doesn't want to hit the fence ( I obviously am not capable of steering him ). Because I am posting faster than he trots, he feels pinching and swings his head all crazy. I try to turn him, and instead of my left knee coming off, it goes on even harder.

You don't know how long I'v been working on this. During every lesson, I always want to cry because no matter how hard I try, I can't get that left knee off.

I want to do lunge work and sit the trot to correct my seat. I've already done this in one lesson, and the ending result was that I could actually post the trot with a relaxed left knee and everything was alright. But when we went to the rail I lost it. I want to keep doing lunge work, and create correct muscle memory. Then when I go back to posting with stirrups, my seat will want to be straight rather than sideways.

My instructor didn't let me do lunge work during my last lesson,however, because she wanted me to get ready for the show. My lesson was HORRIBLE! Why? Because we weren't correcting my problem. By posting sideways on the rail I was only enforcing it. My show was terrible as well. I practiced two hours before the show, and all my instructor said was to keep practicing, keep practicing. I know what I'm doing wrong. I just CANT STOP. I physically dont know how to loosen my left leg's tight grip. I am in a lock, and I don't know how to break out. Every time I try to turn, my body uses my knee pressure to force the resistant top half over, creating a corkscrew.

PLEASE SOMEONE HELP

Does this saddle fit??

joken n lopen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:12:49 GMT

I have never ridden englsh before until this past week. Im in school for horse training and we have to learn both seats western and huntseat. Ive ridden western for the past six years but after riding english this week i really like it. The school i am at had a saddle that they never use its a Derby Originals and its really nice but i can not tell if this saddle fits my horse... I put it on him the pommel sits kindor high. I can put four fingers between the pommel and his back. i ran my hand underneath and its not pinching anywhere on his back but is the pommel too high is it applying pressure down on his withers?? I got him out and lunged him with it on and he didnt do anything out of the unordinary but he never does. Before i got him he was ridden with a saddle that was too tight and eventually it put a vertibrae outta place i rode him for a couple months not knowing and he never showed discomfort so hes not going to tell me if it fits or not. I took some pictures please let me know if you think it fits and please ASAP! im heading back sunday morning i only have two days with this saddle.

Browbands

crp126 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:58:22 GMT

Does anyone know where I can buy just plain old browbands? I want to try something fun, decorating my own for me and my daughter and I can't figure out where to buy just plain, simple browbands! LOL!

I have one at home and that's not nearly enough, I need like ten or more that should give us plenty of selection to decorate our horses for the schooling shows....... Don't tell hubby!

Thanks!

I Pulled It Off!

percheronrider — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:11:38 GMT

Despite several setbacks, and not a lot of practice I was able to pull off getting 1st place in the Freestyle event where I incorporated leg-yields. So that worked out well. I really sucked in pole bending this year with 5th place. All the other events I had first (Dressage test, Trail class, Kur) Had 88% on the Kur, 75% on the dressage test. Second place in Equitation.

Rider Fear

775790 — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:17:10 GMT

Hello, my name is Michelle and I am brand new here having just joined this wonderful site.

I have only been riding for about seven years now having started as an adult. I did not have the opportunity to ride when I was a child but I have always loved horses and animals in general. I have been taking lessons once or twice a week when I can but I have a stressful full time job as well. I have three wonderful horses a Pinto gelding, a Saddlebred mare and an off-track Thoroughbred gelding named Ascot Doll. Ascot is 16.2 hands and raced 111 times over a ten year span. He is a sweet and funny guy and sometimes when he looks at me I see such gratitude in his eyes, it is almost as if he knows that I rescued him and saved his life.

Three years ago I adopted my Ascot Doll but just one month before I had a bad fall off of my Pinto (he spooked and took off on me and I did not empoly the one rein stop in time). I did not break any bones thank goodness but I did hurt my neck and suffered from a minor concussion.

Before the fall I would ride freely in the front at our riding school and boarding facility, I even galloped my Saddlebred Mare in that area, which was a blast at the time. Ever since the fall however I am afraid to ride in the front area in fact I have not even so much as grazed any of my horses in that area. Ever since that fall I have become a major "fair weather rider". The fall happened on a windy day so if there is even a hint of wind, I won't ride. If it is too hot or too cold or not sunny enough outside or too sunny outside (just kidding) I use it as an excuse to not ride. Sometimes in my lessons I get hesitant and feel undue pressure when my instructor pushes me (in a good way) to do something outside of my comfort level such as canter on Ascot's less strong lead. It took me a year to get the nerve to canter him but now I will only go on his "good side" which I am sure impeeds his progress too.

My Saddlebred mare was the first horse I ever rode at the riding academy where I board and ride. I feel so confident on her still and we canter around both directions, I feel relaxed and she reminds me why I fell in love with riding in the first place. Then I get on my Thoroughred and I feel so unsure. I am happy to say that I have not fallen since (knocking on wood) that time three years ago. Ascot can be a bit of a handful at times which I am sure does not help my confidence. I often hope that a racing memory moment won't over take him. I have had him in training and he did very well which helps me a lot. We have fantastic trainers at our barn.

I take great care of my three "buddies" I love to graze them and watch them play together in the pasture but they have the most leisurely lifestyle that you could imagine. LOL

Have any of you struggled with a fear of riding or is it just me in my "old age"? I must say though in reference to starting riding as an adult I have always been very athletic and do weight training, yoga, and pilates regularly which I hopes helps me in my riding.

I thank you for taking the time to read this message. I truly want to be a better rider, my goal has never been to show just to ride for pleasure. I would like to get to the point where I can gallop my Ascot without tenseness and fear. I look forward to owning a farm for retired thoroughbreds one day and saving other lives.

Thank you for your time.

Michelle

Follow the Bouncing Hunt Cap

Frizzle — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:03:00 GMT

I just got this in an e-mail, and it's su cute that I had to share it!

Whether or not to stay with one discipline

653439 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:57:55 GMT

My horse and I are at a great barn with a wonderful trainer. We have learned alot and are doing well with equitation, and started crossrails. However, I get the impression from some comments she's made, that my horse really isn't hunter material. That he is fine in schooling shows (has won 1st and 2nd place) or local shows (has won first in an Arabian class). He's a Morgan (Lippitt, not gaited) and looks like a small warmblood, I am considering continuing taking some jumping lessons (1-2 a month) and then doing some dressage. There is a professional trainer just a few miles away, and I have a trailer. I've always had an interest in dressage (I've ridden various types of English and western, most recently beginning jumping).

Considering that eventers do more than one discipline at a time and I'm solid WTC and have ridden dressage in the past (and ridden now for several years), I am considering doing jumpiing (just lessons, keeping it low key) and dressage.

Our barn goes to shows close by, but are C rated and my trainer doesn't think we fit in. I go with the barn to schooling shows where there is a very laid back atmosphere, but thats an almost 2 hour drive from the barn. If I do dressage I could possibly go to shows within an hour's drive, and go by myself if needed.

Thoughts?

Hip Help!

3dayeventcra-z — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:10:56 GMT

Hello,

I've been eventing for four years and am a C3 level pony clubber, going for B traditional next year. However, ove the last year I've noticed my hips have gotten very stiff and restricting when I try to sit the trot and canter. Are there any stretches that can help? I recently purchased a 4 year old TB and in order for him (or any other horse frankly) to learn how to use and use his back correctly it doesn't help him much if I have a hard, driving seat (my old horse was a warmblood and I developed a horrible "electric butt" to get him going, so I think that has contributed to my stiffness).

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

Dressage boots- help

legacysporthorses — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:55:13 GMT

I was recently given a pair of custom-made dressage boots (donated to my school and I am the only dressage rider there). The boots are my foot size and the correct size for my calf. However, when I tried them on I had a hard time getting my foot past all of the supports in the ankle. There are no zippers in these boots and I was scared that I would get stuck in them, so I gave up at the first sign of resistance. I still managed to get my foot stuck enough in the boot that I nailed myself in the shin with the boot when I tried to use my bootjack to get them off.

I've never owned dressage boots before (always had to make due with field boots), so I am unsure if this is normal until you break them in or if these really won't work for me. Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.