Posted 2018-06-18 10:44 AM Subject: Blowing wide during competition runs
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Posts: 185
We seem to handle everything fine up to a controlled canter/breeze but when I let him go at competitions we blow wide on first and 3rd (although not as bad as first!). My footing isn't good enough at home to let him really run and it isn't as deep. I wonder if he just doesn't know how to handle himself in deeper footing...however second is tight? I think I loose a bit of his mind in the alley as well. He is very well broke with great body control generally! I am a ground work fan and he actually is started with liberty work (which is so much fun!). He is very soft laterally and vertically. Can lope circles in counter arc, counter canter, hinging, backs circles, spins.... guess what I'm trying to say is I think my homework is really covered but why does it all fall apart! lol
Maybe I get his nose too much in the turn? I ride him and run him in a french link snaffle. Maybe I need something with less just side nose grabbing? I am definitely not one who turns to bits for answers but I am at a loss with this....he is quite hot so maybe I do need something a little more to get his attention when running. Or need to ride straighter? He can be ridden bitless maybe some kind of hackmore? I've run him in the snaffle for a few years slowly upping the speed but we've hit a gear where we fall apart.
Even with the bad turns he runs 2D OR 1D depending on the competition. I feel like he could be a top 1D horse around here if we sort this out. I've been told so too!
Posted 2018-06-19 9:46 AM Subject: RE: Blowing wide during competition runs
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Posts: 185
He had his hocks x-rayed a few years ago and all was good. He has been feeling his best since I switched farriers about a year ago. I had the chiro out late winter as well. I should probably have him out again but he has been feeling so good I haven't bothered...he turns second so well I figured he must be ok?
I think I must lose his mind in the shoot and have him to bendy/soft? I'll find a video
CowgirlLindz - 2018-06-19 9:46 AM He had his hocks x-rayed a few years ago and all was good. He has been feeling his best since I switched farriers about a year ago. I had the chiro out late winter as well. I should probably have him out again but he has been feeling so good I haven't bothered...he turns second so well I figured he must be ok? I think I must lose his mind in the shoot and have him to bendy/soft? I'll find a video
Video would be helpful.
But just because his hocks were fine a few years ago, doesn't mean they are fine now. It could be that he's just not consistent yet at speed (since it's new to both of you) -- or there could be a lameness problem.
Blowing wide during competition runs
