He doesn't like it...

Dressage

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He doesn't like it...

Postby goldendryad » Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:01 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I don't think my horse likes the dressage stuff we've been working on. It's really good for him though. I want him to enjoy it. Any ideas or suggestions?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#He has a very stiff neck and does not bend it easily or willingly, I'm doing groundwork to improve on that.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#But I find in our dressage lesson he gets bored quickly, so we have to really mix things up. After asking him to do something he knows, like give to the bit, the first few times in the lesson he is great and I always reward him with my give. But after that he almost gets pissy about it, it's sort of a "make me" attitude or else a "fine, I'll do it" attitude. Not a glad, willing one. Any ideas about good ways to really work on this stuff while keeping him interested?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby Chisholm » Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:24 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#OK you say that your horse is stiff when bending.  Well this alone would make any of the work you are doing with him that much more difficult and stressful.  He is being asked to use muscles in a hard way.  Horses must be supple, free and willing 100% to do the work for them to enjoy it.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I would check the saddle for starters, maybe it's not fitting as well as you might think.  Second maybe get a Chiropractor in.  Think of it this way, Dressage is Gymnastic exercise.  How many gymnitist (sp?) can perform when in pain or even slight discomfort.   #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Here's an example of a young horse I have been working with for 9 months.  When he first came to me he rushed off his front end all the time.  Had a lateral walk and canter.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#With work we fixed that.  But this horse could not flex or bend at ALL.  Why because he was growing and had many balancing issues that took time to just teach him to balance we had to focus on straightness, rhythm and balance first.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Then gradually we started to see some bend developing but it was slow.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Then last night for the first time in 9 months I rode him instead of his owner and wow, what a difference he was willing and supple.  For the very first time I had this horse long and low without his front end dropping away and he was sooo supple.   I was amazed I never imagined this horse would ever end up being this soft and supple.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Dressage is a long term committment.  It takes a lot of time and patience.  And riding exercises alone is not Dressage.  It's working to find what makes a horse tick and keeps them happy.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby RioG » Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:36 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#What I am finding works for Rio is keeping the lessons short.  In the beginning when we were working on giving and contact, that was pretty much all we did.  Obviously those rides were quite short.  Then the slow trot work started, in addition to the initial work in the walk.  Rides were a bit longer, but if one thing wasn't working, I'd leave it and go back to the contact or vice versa.  Now that we're finally asking for more forward (have to catch myself - I always want to say speed) I have three rudimentary concepts in my box of tricks to pull from.  On  a good day we'll work on all three, but on those days when she's pissy or I'm pissy, I can choose what to do that will still help us, but not cause us to go into a mutual rage, either. :D#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I like that line about dressage being a long-term committment.  That sums it up perfectly, and helps to sustain you when it's not always so much fun.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby goldendryad » Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:40 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Months ago (June/July) I was riding with the saddle too far forward (following the Apple saddlery guide to saddle placement). It was pinching his shoulders and caused very hot, forward, zippy rides out of him. I moved it back and he was like a different horse. But the old one wasn't fitting 100% and was pulling me into a poor position. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#My new saddle is on the way.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The new one is an enlightened equitation saddle and should fit him better. Sadly I am no longer in lessons because it snowed and we don't have an indoor, plus my coach is 7 months pregnant and has a toddler.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#He is very stiff with his neck, even on the ground. I have been doing bending exercises on the ground to supple his neck. His teeth are great, I just had them power floated a month ago by a vet who specialises in equine dentistry. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#But I'm going to keep up with it through the winter on my own. We are doing dressage flatwork to supple and balence him, and relax him, before we take on the jumping, which is my goal.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#He was badly mistreated before I got him, and had a lot of tension associated with arena riding, which we have worked him through. I have also been doing groundwork (parelli) to help relax him and it has worked wonders.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#But I want any suggestions you guys can offer.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby chenders01 » Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:51 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I would suggest chiropractic.  It might help with his neck stiffness, which will result in a more submissive horse, overall.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#He won't be able to work properly for you if he is in pain, so I would deal with the stiffness FIRST, before trying to find other ways to make him "enjoy" dressage.  #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby Ruth » Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:58 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The carrot exercise is good. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#There is a horse where Boomer is that is very stiff in the neck like you are describing and he has a weak, slightly arthritic stifle, had a bone chip in the knee and two old fractures in his front feet - the poor guy had been in discomfort for so long that he was holding himself very tensely which was causing the stiffness in the neck. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Bowen treatment would probably really help your guy.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#As far as riding exercises go flex him left and right to help supple his poll, the STB I use to ride was a stiff sort of horse and this exercise always worked really well for her, also spirals.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Don't overdo it, especially at first.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Also Morgans are not always the most naturally supple of breeds, I have ridden a good number that were abnormally stiff laterally - especially if they have been driven, which a lot of Morgans are broken to harness first, saddleseat horses also are often not all that well-educated about bending.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby LucasL » Thu Nov 17, 2005 6:21 pm

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You might want to try a massage and see if that makes any difference.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#My gelding has had two massages (a week apart). He is a very forward horse but can also get tense - it normally takes me about 20 minutes of long and low with a lot of bending to get him relaxed. He is also noticably stiffer going to the left, so I have to work extra hard on that side.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#However, when I rode him after the second massage, wow, what a difference. He was very supple right from the start. He breezed through our "homework" for the week and I actually cut the ride short.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#We are going on the three week plan now and see how that works out for the long term.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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Postby graciespook » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:49 am

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#All good suggestions..but you can mix it up too...even putting poles out and doing some pole bending at the walk and trot--something different and to get him bending and working off your aids. Even some poles or low cavelletis...just keep at it, follow some of the great advice above and have fun! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
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