Better or worse?

Original video that I posted in the dressage section:
I got a lot of comments about how she's counterbending. So I attempted to work on that tonight. I think it's worse going counter clockwise than clockwise, but I'd still like opinions: Do these videos look better or worse?
Also, in the original video, I'm riding in shanks, in these two I'm riding in a Kimberwicke.
Clockwise:
Counter clockwise:
Yes, she jumped into a canter here, which I didn't want her to do, but she was ready to go, apparantly. :P
Let me know what you think. Did we improve at all? Any suggestions?

To me, she looks really hollow in the back and she is just tucking her head into get away from bit pressure. Really try to use your leg to get her to engage her hind end and round her back and move into the bit. Trot poles will help with this...she is very cute though! And she looks as though she is trying to please.

Is there a reason you ride in those bits?

Personally, I would put the horse in a snaffle, get you in proper boots, shorten your stirrups two holes and get your legs effectively working. Right now your legs are hanging out somewhere, your reins are looped an your horse is hacking around. Of course she's going to be stiff and straight as a board if you aren't gymnasticizing and exercising her body. Once you can ride the horse from your leg into a proper contact can you develop the response to the inside leg aid to help her bend.

Good luck!

Your legs are sticking out and forwards- shorten your stirrups to gain some control of them.
She's not really softening to you, you are holding her in the outline, this makes her hollow through her back.
Get a snaffle (loose-ring or egg-butt), they are a friendlier bit that the horses are usually softer to once they get used to them.
She is working very downhill (head hanging low), you can especially see this in your avatar- she is sloping downwards from her bum to her withers.- Pick her up a bit and make her work uphill so she is carrying her head herself, she is leaning on your contact (in trot).
In walk she is coming in and out of the outline- make it consistant before moving up into trot.

Good luck x

Thanks for the responses- the only reason I ride in a Kimberwicke/the shanks was because my instructor told me to. As far as proper boots go, both nights I rode I was there to do chores and didn't think to bring my riding boots with me. *blushes* anebel, what do you mean by gymnasticizing? Any riding excersizes to help with this?

I wouldn't worry about the boots...personally...but I agree that your legs are something to focus on! Work on bringing them back underneath you!! Rainy is a pretty girl. :)

Also, I'm not an expert by any means, but circles and poles and circles and more circles will help with the bending :) Leg pressure helps as well, using your leg positions to HELP her figure out how to bend. Keep workin!

To begin with, please put some slack in that rein. As for changing bits, you definitely should try her out on a snaffle and see how it goes. Did your instructor give any reasons for not wanting Rainy on that bit?

Your legs are kinda hanging around — try shortening the stirrups. Then you can use more leg and less rein.

If you're comfortable riding in those boots, that's fine.

So first off something is wrong possible the saddle might be pinching. I don't know for sure because it is a video but he is wringing his tail. I noticed it mostly in your very last video. The reason he jumped into the canter wasn't because he was ready I do believe you startled him. Another thing is your gripping with your knee your heels are moving at all some think that's good but its more comfortable and correct (in my opinion) If while your up in the posting to drop your weight into you heels and when you come down relax them. I do agree with ~*~anebel~*~ I also believe training should be down in a snaffle its the least harsh bit. (I know any bit can be harsh depending how its used even a hackamore can be harsh) Even though your doing dressage you may want to put your strriups up a hole or to and bring your legs under you. Ask your instructor about downward transitions and upward transitions it will help relaz your horse some.