Collecting while riding

mildot · 01-02-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyliny

NSHorses tend to have a very upright neck carriage by build. It can be hard for them to bring their head down and not brace against the bit, and having them move around "giraffing" is hard on both horse and rider. Such a horse makes it hard for the rider to become stable enought to then give the hrose a quiet enough hand to get it to trust and come to the bit. IT's kind of a vicious circle.

That's why I would consider doing what Puck suggested, the relaxed circle with encouragement to come to the outide rein, reach for the bit and carry it downward and forward , be done at the walk for some time , at first. That way your seat can be stable , allowing you to be effective.
Once you speed up, things get that much harder.

Good point. A barn mate of mine has a Friesan/NSH cross and she is built very upright on the neck.

I've also ridden a friends Morgan mare who is built very similarly and she is tough to get to relax and accept the bit. Lots and lots of half halts are needed for her to relax and flex at the poll.

Winter Solstice · 01-02-2012, 08:42 PM

The excercise in the arena seems like it will help her to submit to the bit easier. Breaking it down like that definitely helps me to get a clear visual in my mind.

I just checked out the half halt section and it's very informative. Again, thank you for the links. I'm thinking about also picking up some english riding books as well. (: I'll start on half halts tomorrow, if the weather holds up.

As for the possibility of her not being taught collected... I think that she was, but with me never riding 'collected' in the english term I believe that I'm confusing her. She was bred by Sharon Vanier Sperte out of Washington, and I did some research and it seems like english is the preferred type of riding with their horses, hence the wish to change my riding style.

mildot · 01-02-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winter Solstice

Thank you. (: I'll check these out and excercise what I learn the next time I'm with Krista. Poor girl, I know that she is confused. It's not so bad with my Quarter Horse. I ride western and she was trained western. Haha.. Krista is just like, 'Okay, loose rein is fine, but what're you trying to do now?'

I looked at the first link and I find it extremely helpful. I appreciate it!

You're welcome. Glad that it's already helping you out.

mildot · 01-02-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winter Solstice

The excercise in the arena seems like it will help her to submit to the bit easier. Breaking it down like that definitely helps me to get a clear visual in my mind.

I just checked out the half halt section and it's very informative. Again, thank you for the links. I'm thinking about also picking up some english riding books as well. (: I'll start on half halts tomorrow, if the weather holds up.

As for the possibility of her not being taught collected... I think that she was, but with me never riding 'collected' in the english term I believe that I'm confusing her. She was bred by Sharon Vanier Sperte out of Washington, and I did some research and it seems like english is the preferred type of riding with their horses, hence the wish to change my riding style.

Don't think collection. Think connection. The two have very, very different meanings in dressage and confusing the two can be detrimental for a horse that is not (as most are) ready for collection.

It might also be a training issue for you. If you've only ridden western before, it might be hard for you to also get used to the higher level of contact that one should carry when riding english. So you both might be learning something new at the same time.

mildot · 01-02-2012, 08:49 PM

It might also help you to discuss the training situation with a local dressage trainer in your area and let him or her help guide you both through the transition.

Then you get immediate feedback and more tools to work with.

Winter Solstice · 01-02-2012, 08:51 PM

This is very true about my style change. I wanted to contact people that ride english to make sure that I'm going about it right.

Connection, not collection. I'll remember this. I'll pay attention to what I'm doing and what she does the next time I'm out riding and I'll respond back to this thread. The owner of the stables I board at rides english so I may have her come watch and assess what she thinks as well.

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