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Collection?

1K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  ShadowSpazzz 
#1 ·
My horse is a TB, and she likes to go fast. We show in English Equitation and Pleasure classes, but when we canter it is hard to get her to tuck her hind end under. She has a beautiful headset, but oftentimes flails her hindquarters around behind her. Any suggestions??
 
#2 ·
Look further through this topic and also under the dressage subforum you will find what you're looking for there as far as collection/on the bit etc.

The general gist you'll get is that 'collection' is nothing to do with 'headset', your horse should be working through from behind before it's head is 'down', and the head/neck must not be forced into a 'head set' as this is entirely incorrect.

Getting the hind legs active is a matter of skill and understanding. You need to use your leg in close conjunction with your seat and core muscles to 'hold' the driving energy to prevent that energy from spilling out through the horses forehand (hence the term 'on the forehand') and instead, using it to bring the horse more 'up' than 'forward'.
And no, it's not a matter of just pulling back and going as slow as you can. The hind legs must be active, engaged and stepping right under the horse, while the forehand must be light, soft and supple.
A good dressage instructor will be able to help you.
 
#3 ·
Look further through this topic and also under the dressage subforum you will find what you're looking for there as far as collection/on the bit etc.

The general gist you'll get is that 'collection' is nothing to do with 'headset', your horse should be working through from behind before it's head is 'down', and the head/neck must not be forced into a 'head set' as this is entirely incorrect.

Getting the hind legs active is a matter of skill and understanding. You need to use your leg in close conjunction with your seat and core muscles to 'hold' the driving energy to prevent that energy from spilling out through the horses forehand (hence the term 'on the forehand') and instead, using it to bring the horse more 'up' than 'forward'.
And no, it's not a matter of just pulling back and going as slow as you can. The hind legs must be active, engaged and stepping right under the horse, while the forehand must be light, soft and supple.
A good dressage instructor will be able to help you.
I agree, collection does not have to do with the headset.. I was mentioning it so that people who thought it WAS the headset would realize that is not what I'm talking about.. :)

Thank you, I will also try and find a good instructor!! :D
 
#4 ·
If she's a typical sensitive to seat TB, it sounds like you need to go back and teach her a proper half halt so you can rebalance her as often as necessary. Sounds like she's getting all strung out. Since she is the forward type, the half halt will also either fix, if she's already heavy on the reins, or else prevent her from becoming heavy up front. Half halts are pretty each to teach to TB's since they feel every little thing. Like Kayty said, a good dressage instructor can best help you. If you're a self starter, there are plenty of good suggestions on the internet. Maybe try a few and see what gets the best response from your horse. Just remember, whatever you choose as your cue, be consistent and reward every try.
 
#5 ·
Puck, you are hugely right about the half halts. But if you've never ridden a true half halt before, they're quite tricky to train in trying to get your timing right in the take and release of pressure. Contrary to popular belief their nothing to do with just pulling backwards on the rein until the horse slows down a bit, then kicking it in the guts to go again. I think a good instructor will be able to teach you this, as it is an EXTREMELY good way of re-balancing the horse as Puck so rightly said, but it's just a bit of a tricky one to get the hang of! If you can go somewhere with an educated school horse to get the feel of riding a true half halt, even better :D :D
 
#6 ·
Thanks Kayty. Hopefully I wan't too vague in my comment about making the horse lighter in the reins. I meant that to be an after effect of the half halt, not a means on doing the actual half halt. I do agree the OP should learn from a qualified instructor, but in the event she already knows how to execute them, it would be more a matter of experimenting to see what degree of aids she needs for that particular horse.
 
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