Horse sits on the forehand?

[Ziggy]

I am back into riding after a gap of many years. Have lost over 7 stone to get me back into doing what I love so much. Now small and lightweight again, yeh!
I share a gorgeous horse who, thankfully, is a safe as houses! She is though not an easy ride. A bit lazy at times, quite uneven paces and does a little skip going into trot. In trot she is tough to keep going and leans all the time. I want to start riding her in the school a little bit more to vary things up from just hacking but need a plan rather than just going round in circles. Constructive advice very welcome.

[gillwales]

Lots of transitions, half halts and serpentines. You need to make certain you are sitting tall and straight, look up and where you are going to as your shoulders and hips will follow your head. Refrain from canter until you have got her off of the forehand. Use lateral work on the circle. Use music to help you keep a rhythm. Remember she will lean more and be lazy when she gets tired, so work little and often. Make certain you finish on a high. You have not said what type of horse your mare is, cobby types will find it more difficult and will require more time. Don't let her get bored or she will stop listening to you

Congratulations on your weight loss x

[sarahp]

I'd just add try not to let her lean on you and don't pull back at her, she needs to learn to carry her own head by working more from behind rather than expect you to do it! What sort of bit is she in?

[Ziggy]

Thank you Sarah P, fab advice. I had a lesson on her this week and our instructor got us doing lateral work. Did not really go to plan as she was driven mad by flies! However may give it another go this afternoon, if darn rain lets up. She is just in a plain snaffle x

[lucynlizzysmum]

We school when we hack out as well as in the school - luckily we have quiet roads for this at the moment as due to storm desmond the roads are dead ends! You could try leg yielding across the road (if it's quiet enough) and also if you use hills to trot up you will make her use her backside more underneath her - it's certainly helped with our little cob.

[sarahp]

I only added to gillwales excellent advice! Lateral work good too, I also taught mine by doing it across paths out hacking,much easier than in a school. And changing pace within each gait too, and trying to go low and low then collect up again - only it safe to do so of course! Lots of useful stuff can be done out hacking.

[gillwales]

If she is in a plain snaffle and leans on it try a French link as this will give you extra steering and also prevent her grabbing the joint to lean on. And yes everyone who has suggested schooling whilst out on a hack are right; the truth is whenever we ride our horses we are schooling insomuch that we are giving our mounts instructions and the horse should be responding to instructions.

PS thanks Sarahp

[sarahp]

Only fair!

[Ziggy]

Oh yes sorry did not see that gillwales had offered advice too, sorry, how rude am I thank you gillwales!
Rode in school today, again struggling. I may have to just accept that at 19 this is how she is and I adore her whatever . We are only ever going to be happy hackers ! As she is not my horse it's tricky about changing bits.
Thank you all for excellent advice. Lateral work went well today though. Got lesson again next week so will give it another go. X

[gillwales]

Ah, yes there is a saying about teaching an old dog new tricks, if she is not dangerous, and if still being ridden at the age of 19 I don't suppose she is, then I would just enjoy some gentle jaunts. Especially if she is not your horse. Have fun and give lots of carrots

No offence taken lol ( I often speak to myself at home too, it is not only dogs that have selective hearing ... or memories )