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 Veteran
Posts: 178
 
Location: IL | So I've been slowly working on the barrel pattern with my 6 year old mare for about 4 months now and I'm having trouble leaving 1st and getting to 2nd without a bunch of bobbles and her not wanting to do a flying lead change without charging through it. It's just not smooth (although we have had some good days on the pattern too, I'm looking for more consistency from her)! :( I don't know what I'm doing wrong... I've had her for over 3 years now, and I feel like I haven't pushed her. We've only been walking, trotting, and collected loping though the pattern on and off for a while with the exception of participating in a few fun shows the last year. I don't want her to anticipate (I feel like she is going to be a free runner, which I've never had before), so I've spent a lot of time doing "dressage" like maneuvers. She does a flying lead change, although not pretty like a dressage horse, laterals/diagonals, counter canters, pivots forehand and haunches, counter acrs, works off leg pressure well, etc. all in a snaffle with a running martingale... She is not sore, and has not been lame... I'm interested in hearing everyones opinion! :) Drill suggestions, tips, maybe I'm expecting too much from her. I just want her to relax and lope calmly through the pattern... | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | It sounds like she's very broke, so first question is how much time have you spent on straight lines? It amazes me the number of people I've seen running barrels who have trouble finding a point in front of them and riding straight to it.
I remember being told once that horses have trouble between one and 2 because one end is trying to go back to the alley while the other end is anticipating the turn. If I have one not catching on to positioning, I let them wander out of position and then correct the mistake--set them down, use a whip if I have to, and then put them back in the correct spot and stand there. It's very hard to win on a horse that has to be positioned every step of the way. It's a team effort and they need to do their part by traveling an honest path. | |
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Check to see that you are picking your point to run to beside the second barrel and looking at it as you leave first. You have to be focusing on your point for a horse to be able to get there. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 178
Location: IL | I guess I've done so much work on circles, and getting her to lift her shoulder, bend and flex and what-not that I've failed to perfect her straight lines. I'm glad you mention that. We do straight lines, but haven't really focused on them... So it totally makes sense that she's not smooth between those two. Although, her line to the 3rd is nice.... Maybe it's just the combination of lead change and straight line that's confusing her... As well as looking where I need to be going! Duh.... I just gave someone the same advise on that a couple months ago, so looks like I need to remind myself, too! Haha Thanks Gals!
Edited by Kizzy_177 2014-10-04 3:44 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1087
Location: Midland, MI | Combine your straight lines and lead changes. Set up some poles, buckets or cones and weave through them at all sorts of speeds. It will get her more comfortable with it at she can switch at her own pace and not anticipate since there are so many instead of just one. | |
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Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | Kizzy_177 - 2014-10-04 3:43 PM I guess I've done so much work on circles, and getting her to lift her shoulder, bend and flex and what-not that I've failed to perfect her straight lines. I'm glad you mention that. We do straight lines, but haven't really focused on them... So it totally makes sense that she's not smooth between those two. Although, her line to the 3rd is nice.... Maybe it's just the combination of lead change and straight line that's confusing her... As well as looking where I need to be going! Duh.... I just gave someone the same advise on that a couple months ago, so looks like I need to remind myself, too! Haha Thanks Gals!
Isn't it funny how it is so much easier to help someone else than it is to remember what you need to do when it is happening to you? Happens to me all the time. | |
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