I have been self training my draft mare in dressage for the past 5 yrs, with a little help from instructors when I can afford lessons. Anyways, we are schooling 1st level, and I have her going forward with her shoulder and back up finally. My problem is that now we get stuck in circles. At 2 points, every time we circle at the trot, her head flies up and her roundness gets shot. She does not have the problem at a walk or canter.
She can go through those two points at a shoulder in, but not in a straight curve withouth jaming her head up. I also have tried just moving her in or out of the circle at that point to no avail. It is also just going to the left, which is her bad side.
Any suggestions on how to fix it?
2006-11-23 09:46:38 · 4 answers · asked by D 7 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I know it is a loss of balance at that spot with her- she usually falls out there. A lameness or pain would be in either direction or in different spots of the circle. She is only having the problem at 2 points, like at 25min and 45 min in a 60min circle. For the rest of the circle, she is beautiful
2006-11-23 10:48:23 · update #1
My first step would be to consult with an equine massage therapist or an equine chiropractor. This sounds to me like your horse is trying to tell you that she has pain.
2006-11-23 10:27:24 · answer #1 · answered by Sharingan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, a complete vet exam is in order, with special attention to her back & saddle fit. Chiropractic is definitely a way to go. Does this happen only at sitting trot? Or rising? If rising, does it happen when you post on the incorrect diagonal? Relay all this to a vet, and have them check legs for soundness as well (ie: suspensory & check ligaments)
Having a *very* difficult horse myself, I can share that (once medical issues are addressed) you have to keep them interested. Transitions between and within trot will help with this evasion. Spiral inward and out on the circle left.
What do you do when her head goes up? Do you stay within the trot and try to fix it? Or change the subject? I might suggest changing the subject, as it does no good to repetitively ride an incorrect trot. In other words, try to make a correction (ie: half halt outside rein, and 2 steps of leg yield), moderately severe, then if no response, transition to canter or walk (where the inverted carriage isn't a problem). Once you have her carrying herslf correctly, transition back into trot, and hold it as long as she'll travel round & through.
Don't practice the bad, practice the good, and hopefully the good part of the ride will last longer each time.
2006-11-23 10:46:05 · answer #2 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe she is lame in one of her legs and it only hurts her when she trots, the trot is a very demading gait it takes more energy for her to trot than it dose for her to canter or walk..maybe you should ask a vet about it. cause i had a horse that could run all day long but if you troted her once she would go lame for a week. so if she dose it fine at the walk and canter you might want to get it checked out..hope i helped
2006-11-23 09:53:03 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a pair of recommendations I even have are using good judgment by Musler and something by the German national Federation. even with the undeniable fact that, i visit offer you the caveat the books can basically practice you plenty. you may learn the thought and principals from books, yet to incredibly learn dressage, you prefer an instructor. in case you may no longer take universal classes, see in case you will discover some clinics on your section.
2016-10-04 07:20:01 · answer #4 · answered by shimp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋