|
|
Member
Posts: 13
Location: SD | I have had my gelding a little over two years and am slowly getting together with him and getting him figured out. I don't get to work with him a whole lot but I've have been struggling to get him to "use" his back end around the barrel and bend in his rib cage. I still have not found the "perfect" but for him. Does anyone have suggestions on how to improve on these issues? Thanks! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4766
  
Location: Bandera, TX | Welcome to BHW, try a lifter type bit and put cones out on the ground in 15' 12' and 8' circumferences. Then walk your horse around the largest lifting your hand up about a foot in front of your saddle horn. I use my leg first in the ribs then I use my hand. I push, pick up and expect a response or I get firmer. The horse is given the chance to carry himself 2-3 strides if he goes back to stiff I bump and lift again. If he's lazy I get busy with my outside leg and ask him to really step up and get busy. I don't go to the smaller size till he can carry himself well around the larger circle. MJ and Uncle Ed drilled the heck out of me on riding this correct as I was used to riding stiff horses in the early 80's. Clear as mud? Also I start with the heel of my boot and increase in intensity of spur as needed by the horse. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 13
Location: SD | Thanks, I'll give that a try. Have you used a goosetree bit before? I was thinking of trying one of those. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| If you can get to an Ed Wright clinic, do it! Great experience and he really works on this.
The cones exercise is great. I also really like to use dressage principles and do a lot do leg yields and shaping exercises off of the barrels.
I really broke my gelding down last winter and went back to the lunge line with a training rig and wow - it really helped make a difference in how he carries himself and building topline so he can work off his hind end. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | FlyLikeTheWind - 2015-05-02 2:18 PM
Thanks, I'll give that a try. Have you used a goosetree bit before? I was thinking of trying one of those.
Both of the other posters had great suggestions. Just curious as to which goosetree bit you're considering? The only one I've tried is the double gag and I really like it. I use it when my mare (rarely) need a little tuning and it's great helping keep her hip in and hindquarters underneath her. Someone else may be able to give you a little more insight on this bit and other Goosetree bits, but this one has worked well for me. |
|
| |
Help please! Getting my horse to flex in his rib cage and use his back end around barrels ....