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Please critique Comet and I :D

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  Horseychick94 
#1 ·
Our first and second dressage lesson! He is learning to supple and round. Keep in mind that he is a Standardbred. This is really good progress for him. :D
 

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#2 ·
The 5th picture is the best representation of the position you and your horse would be best at at the beginning of your study of dressage. I would even work on having the horse lower his head even more , if possible. He's a really cute horse with a lovely stride, beautiful head and seems to have apretty willing expression, if a little bit irritated at the rein contact. That might be becaause you have just a tiny bit too much downward pull on the reins.

I know it's tempting to use a downward angle to try and get the horse to reach downward, but this often puts a harder pressure on the bars of the mouth and makes the horse resist. YOu want to really try to maintain that line of bit to elbow, even when asking for a downward reach from the horse.

Keep your hands up, thumbs on top and elbows connected to your ribcage. Your leg looks good, and you sit up pretty well. There is a wee bit toomuch forward angle to the pelvis . Drop your knee down more, lift the crown of your head up.
YOur shoulders are really fairly twisted in a lot of those photos, usually to the inside. I know all about this 'cause I have the same issue. We are trying to "help" our horse bend , but we need to stay centrally balanced over them to not interfere, especially at the canter.

The horse has potential, and so do you. Thank you for sharing and good luck in your further lessons.
 
#3 ·
your reins are super long. i rode in some rubber reins that were really long like that as well... and they accidentally got looped around the bottom of my boot... and we had quite a mess on our hands. just a suggestion, maybe some shorter reins.
 
#5 ·
I agree that the 5th picture looks like a great beginning to your dressage career! you have nice light contact, and he seems to be responding well to that. I know its hard to get those standardbred heads to reach down after so much training in the opposite direction. My trainer had me lunge my horse in side reins to help build up the muscles he will need to really collect. Not crazy tight side reins, just enough to encourage the lower head set to help work those muscles.
 
#6 ·
Thanks! We actually aren't going to do any showing. He is a pleasure horse but why not get him to the best that he can be? He doesn't just do english either. We are doing some dressage because I believe it will give us a really solid base to build off of so we can do different disciplines :D
 
#7 ·
He's the most gorgeous STB I've ever seen; what a find!

I'm glad you got english reins. Nothing wrong with the splits, just not a fan of the snaps when you are trying to establish a contact. Be careful not to end up with backwards thinking hands in your lap. I think "shorter" reins may be the wrong idea, but you could choke up on them making the length with your arms.
 
#9 ·
I think you look great just two things i sorta noticed, one big thing...your helmet. It tips back on your head and heaven forbid you fall and hit the front of your head...OUCHHH! It looks like it may be too big or just isnt tight enough on your head. And the second thing is more of a question i guess, why are you riding in rain boots?
 
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