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While working with Citrus today, I started out loping with intentions of loping for a long time until he settled (his lope is a mess and he needs to get comfortable).
Immediately I noticed his steering was not what it should be so I put him back to a walk and worked on leg pressure, light rein cues and then a trot- doing serpentines, 8s, random crossing of the arena- I over killed it and went back up to the lope and once again, total loss of control. I would give the same leg and rein cues to turn (and body) and he would either not turn at all or I was literally pulling the bit through his mouth (not something I want to do- I pride myself on soft hands).
Citrus once turned so late and clearly not on cue because he stepped through the fence. He was not injured but I was getting more and more frustrated. I finished up on a good note but seriously.....
Any body have an idea as to what his issue is or mine and how I can fix this? His lope is a mess and I do want to be able to lope him around a few times so that he settles into a consistent one and then I will stop instantly. I won't be able to if he won't turn. Ugh.
Immediately I noticed his steering was not what it should be so I put him back to a walk and worked on leg pressure, light rein cues and then a trot- doing serpentines, 8s, random crossing of the arena- I over killed it and went back up to the lope and once again, total loss of control. I would give the same leg and rein cues to turn (and body) and he would either not turn at all or I was literally pulling the bit through his mouth (not something I want to do- I pride myself on soft hands).
Citrus once turned so late and clearly not on cue because he stepped through the fence. He was not injured but I was getting more and more frustrated. I finished up on a good note but seriously.....
Any body have an idea as to what his issue is or mine and how I can fix this? His lope is a mess and I do want to be able to lope him around a few times so that he settles into a consistent one and then I will stop instantly. I won't be able to if he won't turn. Ugh.