How to Train Greenish Horse Dressage? URGENT?
Hi!
Info: I have a 16 year-old Standie Mare,who is an x-pace racer.
She is re-trained to were she doesn’t pace, but tends to occasionally speed up her trot. I correct it every time by trying half halts, or circles. Half halts work um 40% of the time, and circles about 100%.
She has trouble understanding what i mean when I want to extend her trot(once she is trotting slower and normal) and she just quickens a little instead of extending even though i squeeze the reins(also using leg to extend)
She canters well and I can collect/extend her canter very nicely,and we can almost change leads in a straight line(using my weight).
Her walk is also pretty fast, idk if it’s because she just is quicker then the average horse?(loves to run)
We have also been working on jumping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9AGJiUnFSc
That is us jumping a few months ago. I stopped jumping so much after that video, but now starting it back up.Thats going well:)
IMPORTANT: Please keep in mind i’m younger,(not 10 though lol) and have not been able to find a trainer YET. I plan to start some lessons to though.
I have had lessons when i was younger,HA HA I can ride very well now and I want to be able to practice with my horse, now i feel as though I’m training her and can’t practice more difficult things myself. I WOULD NEVER sell my horse for a more experienced one.NEVER! I love her and would die knowing I sold her for a better horse.
ALSO IMPORTANT: She is a smart horse when she wants to be.She knows how to lift all 4 legs on command, say Yes and lay down. She really enjoys learning tricks, but i can tell she gets MAD at herself when she can’t get something in the saddle. As if she beats herself up,so i have to talk to her to calm her .
She is a VERY muscular horse, a lot of muscle in her quarters,and in all of her legs,she if filling out nicely.
I TRUST her and she I. If she is scared to do something I will lead her through it,so our relationship is fine:)
I have been researching more on dressage and love it more and more! I would really like to turn her into a dressage AND jumper.So I have a few questions………
Questions: 1:How else can I slow her trot besides circles/half halts?
2: What cues can I use to get her to extend her trot, instead of quicken it?
3:Slowing down her walk? She isn’t breaking into a trot or jog, just walks faster then when I lead her.
4: How can I show her ‘It’s alright if you don’t get it at the first try!’
5:I DON’T really know anything about dressage, so could you please explain what she should know in the first level(i guess that’s what you call it) and explain as much as you know about Dressage?
6:How and what are the cues for getting her ON the bit? She is strong enough I just don’t know how.
7: How can I get her to collect her trot more?
Any other information you have please share! THANKS!
It sounds like you’re doing really well with your horse and truly care about her welfare, and have a genuine interest in dressage. All those things are GREAT. What I suggest you do is get some good, classic books on dressage and start reading them. The process of teaching your mare to do the things you want her to do is just that – a process. There’s a reason why the dressage tests are arranged in very clear levels, as you can’t usually be doing level 3 exercises or movements without having first patiently and carefully brought your horse up through 1,2 and three or even starting first with training level, then 1, 2 and so on. So, until you find a good instructor (and I emphasize GOOD – as there are many people out there calling themselves dressage trainers who really are not) you can begin by reading and then trying to do what the author is telling you. There are also some more modern dressage books which will break down the movements into easy to understand steps and tell you what to watch out for.
And as for#4 – - you need to reward her when she even just tries to get it right, when it’s a step in the right direction. Don’t look for perfection, just an improvement, and reward her by giving her a break, doing something else for a few minutes and either then going back to the exercise, or if she’s been at it for a while and you’ve made some good progress, end for the day and taking a walk around or hack her out, whatever she likes to do, on a loose rein with loads of praise. ALWAYS end on a good note, even if that means going back to something a lot more simple, getting the right response and rewarding the heck out of her.
And as for #s 1,2,3,5,6,and 7, the answers are included above. It would take too long to write is all out here and depends on exactly what she and you are doing on a moment to moment basis, so as I said, get some good reading material for now.. You can learn a lot on your own if you already have good riding skills and a willing horses.
1. Circles and half halts are the most effective and most useful ways to bring back the rhythm of a trot. When doing circles, 10 meter circles are good to use because they bring the horse onto their haunches and get them to raise their back, almost forcing them into a decent pace of trot.
2. To extend her trot, which shouldn’t be done until she understands how to get on the bit and can hold it for awhile (so i dont think she’s ready) you do half halts with your outside rein and drive her with your seat (thrust when you rise. it sounds odd but it works) and add a little more leg pressure. The half halts tell her to keep the working trot pace but the driving tells her to trot larger.
3. Never slow down a good pace of walk. If your horse has a somewhat fast walk, embrace it. With a couple of my horses I have to kick them up at the walk because they’re so laggy and I lose points in tests for it.
5. Get an instructor! Dressage is more complex than you think, it’s a TOUGH dicipline to master! Especially 1st level because that’s when leg yields, extended canter, extended trot, stretching long and low at the trot, simple changes, and so on kick in! PLEASE get an instructor who specializes in dressage.
6. She’s probably not strong enough if she’s never been told how. To get her on the bit, you first have to develop a working rhythm. Once you’ve done that, you need suppleness from your horse. she will be reaching for the bit but probably wont know how to get ON the bit. She will be flexible and loose in her body, her movement will feel more swingy. Then you can ask for contact. You just get a good contact with the horse’s mouth by creating a straight line between your elbow, forearm, wrist, rein and bit to her mouth.You also NEED contact with your legs. never take your legs off your horse’s sides. There’s always a slight amount of pressure on the horse’s sides which you can alter. You can add pressure or take a bit off but your legs are ALWAYS on the horse’s sides. THEN you need impulsion. This means a forward gait, swingy gait, free flowing energy, engagement of the hind quarters, and forelegs doing the same, they should be showing just how engaged the hind end is. Then you need straightness. I CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS. People continuously let their horses travel crooked with their hind end in and their shoulder poking out. Horses are naturally crooked, so straightening them is the job of the rider/trainer. Crookedness is caused by uneven lateral suppleness, i.e. one side stiffer than the other, and a weaker hind leg. Good training focuses on developing both sides and hind legs of the horse equally, which eventually leads to absolute straightness. A horse is truly straight when the hind foot steps in the line of the front foot (or sometimes a little deeper to the inside in the event of collection). NOW you can collect her, combine all these, which will get her on the bit, she will begin to track up, etc. You ask for her to get on the bit by suppling with your ring finger, flexing her every now and again… don’t forget to combine your leg aids with your rein aids. and when you put leg aids on you need seat aids too!
7. Half halts, half halts, half halts. This isn’t only with your rein! asking for a collected trot involves a LOT of seat. sit deep, squeeze your butt cheeks together (Sounds odd but it’s legit) and keep suppling her jaw.
Like I said, get an instructor to help you. At least get dressage dvds and books. (I suggest Klaus Balkenhol’s material. It’s GOLDEN.)
It just takes a lot of consistent work, nothing more. Your horse is not getting upset that "she" is making a mistake or not getting it, she is showing her aggravation because she doesn’t know what you are asking her to do, your communication is not clear. Again, just stay calm and with time, the two of you can accomplish whatever you want to do within the limitations of your ability. She sounds smart and patient, great qualities so you should be able to do very well with her. Biggest thing, don’t ask her to do things she is not prepared to do. Every horse should have a thorough foundation of the basics. If her foundation is lacking, your can never truly reach your optimum level. There is nothing more important than foundation training. Because of your description, take a look at Clinton Anderson’s Colt Starting video. That will give you some very good educational information that should be useful in what you are trying to accomplish with your horse. Good luck.
You sound like you really LOVE you horse
I dont know lot about dressage but im learning…..
with geting to slow your mare’s trot down, try slowing your own trot (rising slower) It makes it on them if they match your pace. my pony club dressage instructor taught me that. i need to use it lot to get my horse to do a working trot he is lazy
Good Luck and Have Fun