Took my guy out today to work on leg yielding and turning, and had a wonderful ride! It was our first real lesson on responding to leg aids and bending. I also tried out the saddle again but he still needs to fill out a little more. Back story- I've been using a bareback pad because he's still quite narrow for a coming three year old, and the saddle was a bit too wide even with a six inch gullet. I believe he WILL eventually fill out to fit, or maybe even wider but we're not there yet. Anyway, he took to my leg cues like a dream and we even did a bit of trotting up and down the drive. His biggest issue is losing impulsion. Some days he's a got a giddy up and go stride, but others -like today- he moves very slowly and weaves back and forth a bit. He will trot when asked under saddle so he DOES get forward impulsion to an extent. His walk though? We will never get anywhere fast if he keeps it up.
I make sure I open a "doorway" for him, blocking movement to the sides with both my legs and the reins and I keep a loose rein "forward" so to speak, but he weaves and "hits" my blocks - ending up bouncing back and forth instead of going forward. He is young and learning so I take it slow and end on a nice note with lots of scratches when he does move out with a nice pace.
Pictures below!
I make sure I open a "doorway" for him, blocking movement to the sides with both my legs and the reins and I keep a loose rein "forward" so to speak, but he weaves and "hits" my blocks - ending up bouncing back and forth instead of going forward. He is young and learning so I take it slow and end on a nice note with lots of scratches when he does move out with a nice pace.
Pictures below!