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Post by Jessica on Apr 16, 2012 20:46:05 GMT
As you would for dressage, the horse should be straight on the straight sides and have good bend for circles/corners.
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Post by Kerbeck on Apr 18, 2012 9:52:24 GMT
A newly broken pony does not have the capabilities to work over their back, engage their hind quarters and be in atrue 'shape' ponies that go in the ring having only been broken a few weeks are simply overbent, on the forehand and being 'held' with their heads in by strong bits / hands. My fell was very naturally on the forehand ( due to his shape and breed) when I backed him as a 6 year old, but often the teenagers on the yard would comment on 'how nicely he went in an outline' only now 18 months on is he truly self engaged and by god does it feel fantastic! He feels about a hand bigger, I could sit to his canter all day, he is light, sat up, responsive, truely between leg and hand (which means i can adjust him and put him any where I want at any time) There is absolutely no rush to get any pony in an 'outline' in my experience it takes a hell of a lot longer to undo damage caused by harsh bits and hands than to teach self engagement!
As for bend, the horse should (in my opinion) always have slight bend to the inside (ever so slight, therefore appear straight from the ground) unless of course you are riding a circle or a corner.
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Post by rhosyn on Apr 18, 2012 10:24:07 GMT
Do you maybe without thinking hold your inside rein a little tighter than the outside? It's a natural thing to do as you feel as if you should be turning the horse that way? Agree with jep51 above, but the bend should be throughout the horse's body, not manifest itself in the horse's head and neck alone, the shoulders should always appear straight from above. You should just about be able to see your horse's inside eye on corners but no more bend than that. Control the shoulders and you're halfway there  |
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Post by rubydoo on Apr 21, 2012 9:54:19 GMT
agree with kerbeck , i ride on a slight bend to the inside .
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