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Already improving?

1K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  boxer 
#1 ·
This is PF Be My Baby, known around the barn as Beamer. After trying out a couple of horses at the barn I decided to focus my energy on Beamer. I work the best with her and am hoping to show her in hunter/jumper, equitation and pleasure. I will most likely be showing her in schooling shows, B rated shows, Arabian shows and Pinto shows.

This is what she looked like when I first started working with her.



Here are the riding pictures from today. I think her coat has gotten better and it looks like she has slimmed down a TINY bit lol. She has been out of work for a while.






Feel free to crit anything you would like. I am breaking in new boots so my heels are pretty much poo lol. Also we are working on her headset again, she can hold it for a few strides before she pops it back up due to not using those muscles in a long time.
 
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#3 ·
No time for a full critique but here's what I first noticed. Get your hands out of your lap and shorten your reins. Can't really work on a "headset' without having contact with her mouth and pushing her up into the bridle. You're allowing all that forward energy to escape. You want a soft feel of her mouth. Keep it interesting and keep up a "conversation". Don't just hold, but definitely get more of a feel of her mouth. I'd add in some half-halts and transitions to get her thinking about using her hind end too.

The saddle doesn't seem to be an awesome fit, either that or you're just sitting too far back. Might not be something you can control though.

:]
 
#4 ·
Yes, the horse is plenty strong enough to hold itself up. Right now it's careening around inverted and on the forehand - stop just riding the head and start riding the whole horse, you will get better results and a happier horse.
I also agree about the saddle.
 
#6 ·
I will work on it. I am working with a trainer right now. As for the hands the trainer I am working with which is the person that has owned Beamer for the last 9 years instructed me to hold my hands down lower for now, don't ask me why. You can't see it in the pictures but I am not just holding the reins I was working them back and forth in a softer version of see-sawing as the trainer told me to do. The only transitions I can do are walk to trot and vice versa but I will work more with them, Beamer and I haven't worked up to canter yet.

I know the saddle isn't perfect but as you said it is something I can't control. I have to work with what I have.

Anyway thank you again for the crit, I will work on it as I ride her more, this was my third ride on her :]
 
#7 ·
ooooh she is so pretty! Good luck with showing her. The thing I see most is like other said your hands are in your lap a bit but I also noticed your leg is a bit too far forward in a couple of those pics, your heel should be in line with your hip. Good luck with everything :)
 
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