Rounding Back? *with videos*

As another topic said, I am trying to find a way to build a topline for Sonny and get him to correct properly...rounding his back and using his hind legs more.

Well I think I got it!!!!!!!!!!
I was watching the two videos that was made of Sonny before I bought him and I thought I'd put my hands in the same position as the lady did.
I did it and it seemed that something was different about his gait...it seemed a tad stronger (even at his western jog) and also I seemed to be sitting up farther than I originally was...yet it seemed like his front was up higher than his back end.

So I think I got him to do it!!!!
I am going to do it again and have a friend comment to see if she thinks the back is rounded and also take a video so you all can decide if he looks rounded...but there was definitely some difference!!

I'm sooooo happy.

But with the position my hands are in I don't think I'd be able to show like that.

I found out that if I put my hands around my belly button and have my horizontal (like I usually have them) he hollows his back, brings his head up further and goes on the vertical (dressage collection I call it)...but if I put my hands down close to the pommel of the saddle and keep my hands vertical (I guess you'd consider it piano hands) he'll lower his neck, go on the vertical, and "hopefully" round his back

I'll let you all know how it goes tomorrow!!!

Sonny that's great! Keep it up!

YAY!! Congrats :)

(politely requesting videos ;) )

That's awesome Sonny!

I will get videos tomorrow...or will try to...will have to convince my friend to take them haha but I'll defiantely let you know what she thinks if his back is rounded or not

Well my friend took videos and though she definitely wasn't that great of filmer, it did show what I wanted to see (or show what I didn't want to see if I could say).
Sonny's back was not rounded at all and looked around the same
The wierd thing is his gaits did seem different than they used to be...but no idea why :(

Here are the videos...what do you all think?:
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...gofback012.flv
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...gofback013.flv
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...gofback014.flv
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...gofback015.flv
http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/i...gofback016.flv

Looks like its some great news:)

My2Geldings: Does it look his back is rounded at all though? If yes, what videos?

The second and last videos are the best. He is holding a frame quite well, although does slip out here and there. However, I would like to see his hindquarters engage a little more and have him step up under himself more, rather than just drag his hind end around.
Another thing I'd like to comment on is your hand position - it is very low, almost like you're resting your hands on his wither... it would be better if you could keep your position correct (hands up higher, elbows bent, shoulders back) and make the horse come to you.

I'm keeping my hands down there because he does seem to round better down there and once I can get him to round all the time with my hands there I'll slowly start to raise them up to the right position.

But JDI you do think he's rounding a bit?