response to the aids

[jaffacake]

Hello,

I recently did my first RI qualifier with my much loved large riding horse. He behaved amazingly for me and I was proud that we ended up in 4th place. Although, there where mixed reviews from the judge as they liked his type and conformation.
They also mentioned that a good ride was there but he lacked responsiveness to the leg and also that he napped towards line up on the canter past whilst the judge was on board.

My horse should know better as he is 14! and has a cheeky personality so will try and see what he can get away with unless you ride positively.

How can I get my lazy laid back horse to be respectful of the aids first time?(im not to great at my schooling so any comments appreciated)

Thanks

[sarah1]

Hi

My boy is fairly laid back too and can be a little lazy off the leg if he's in that sort of mood! It sometimes takes a minute for him to register what i'm asking as he's not all that 'sharp to the leg.'

He is only young but i have found transitions help and lots of them! I also do alot of half pass, leg yelding,shoulder in to get him more responsive from my leg - I also have recently introduced alot of medium trot and canter into his work (he or i are no means particularly excellent at this) but it does get him working more from behind and makes him more responsive to the aids.

Like i say me and my boy are only learning together so i will keep an eye on your post for any further tips but i find the above has made made a huge difference for me.

Sarah

[jaffacake]

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for your suggestions I think I will try to jazz up our schooling sessions with some shoulder in and lots of transitions. practice makes perfect lol.

[roxy93]

Yeah I agree with Sarah, I had a cob that at home was great but at a show was very very lazy, what helped us is lots and lots of transitions to get him more responsive to me and I had dressage lessons she made me use schooling whips instead of my legs, then when it then came to using my legs was very responsive only thing he could not get bless him was a gallop! did help us with marks in the ring seen a big difference x