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Training Aid

1144 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  southerncowgirl93, 
Bluemoonlvr
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Hey People. I've been working on a small welsh pony named Triple Threat. But we just call him booger. When we first got him he would not let anyone near him. But later on he got use to us and will let you catch him and do other things. He is still skittish, but thats just him. Well I wanted your guys help. My friend whom owns wants him to have a nice pleasure pony head set. But Booger's head is always up in the sky. So what she put on him was a training aid. It attaches to both sides of the bit and to the girth in between his legs. So it forces him to keep his head down at all times. My opinion that I tell her is that this won't work because he can keep his head down but your not training him, your just forcing him. What do you think I should do. I think draw reins will help because they give, and you can teach him a signal to drop his head. That is what worked on my pony. What do you think? The first two are him with training aid. And the last is him without.

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Seahorseys
I'm not a expert in any sense of the term, but his hind looks exactly the same, with and without, and from what everyone keeps telling me, true collection of the head comes from an engagement in the hindquarters. He actually looks more willing and able to me in the third picture and in the second he just looks zoned out and shut off. Who is riding him in the second picture? They actually are verging on too big for that pony.
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riccil0ve
First off, what an adorable pony!

Secondly, I would definitely drop the training aid. It's really attached to the bit? That poor thing... The owner and the pony would be much better off to work on suppling and engaging the hindquarters. The head placement doesn't change anything, it all comes from the haunches. Try lots of transitions, circles, serpentine's, and spirals to encourage him to use himself a little more. You can also introduce half-halts to get him to lower his head, but not put him in a frame. The half-halt should just encourage to keep his head out of the sky.

I also feel the rider in these pictures is making an impact on the way the pony travels as well. Keeping your [the figurative "you", I don't know who is in the picture] shoulders back and your hands well go even further to encourage the pony to use himself. An incorrect posture in the saddle could very easily be the reason he is shooting his head up to the clouds.

Good luck!
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Bluemoonlvr
Seahorseys said:
I'm not a expert in any sense of the term, but his hind looks exactly the same, with and without, and from what everyone keeps telling me, true collection of the head comes from an engagement in the hindquarters. He actually looks more willing and able to me in the third picture and in the second he just looks zoned out and shut off. Who is riding him in the second picture? They actually are verging on too big for that pony.
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In the second picture was me forever and ever ago. It was the only one I could find. But yes I am to big for him. That is a problem we run into is finding someone who isn't squishing him. And your right when he has it one he zones out.
Try lots of transitions, circles, serpentine's, and spirals to encourage him to use himself a little more. You can also introduce half-halts to get him to lower his head, but not put him in a frame. The half-halt should just encourage to keep his head out of the sky.

I also feel the rider in these pictures is making an impact on the way the pony travels as well. Keeping your [the figurative "you", I don't know who is in the picture] shoulders back and your hands well go even further to encourage the pony to use himself. An incorrect posture in the saddle could very easily be the reason he is shooting his head up to the clouds.

Read more: http://www.horseforum.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=558405#ixzz0g5gyHSIh
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Yes the rider does affect him alot. And we are working on that. Whenever we ride we half halt in every corner, circle alot, and I usually do dressage test with him. Thank you for the help. I'll keep what you guys say in mind.
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eventerdrew
Doesn't look like the training aid is doing him much good. It really shouldn't be used to make him go in a headset. A proper headset should come from suppleness and willingness, not a piece of leather.

He is an adorable pony though!
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dantexeventer
I agree with what has been said; drop the training aid for sure. He's zoned-out and on the forehand with it on. He's super cute, though! :)
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Bluemoonlvr
I agree with you guys to. I've been saying it forever. It doesn't do anything for him:) Great I have someone to back me up.
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Kayty
Poor ****** ditch the tie down and work on his hind end. As I've said so many times on this forum lately, refer to the dressage section there are some great topics on getting an engaged hind end to encourage a correct 'head set'.

All tying his head between his knees does is give him a hard mouth, develop under muscle and a very tight, choppy gait with the pony always on the forehand. He cannot possibly come off the forehand with his head strapped to his chest, and when the owner removes the strap, his head will shoot straight back up.
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justsambam08
I happen to think his head set is fine where it is (in the last photo). If you got him to round out his back and work from his butt, it would probably come down a little bit more, but he doesn't look to me like he's trying to evade the bit or anything, he's just not able to support a rider correctly, so he's basically folding in like a card table.

He is absolutely an adorable little thing though. And quite a trooper for working with that tie down being so short!
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S
Agreed. Drop the training aid. I like his head in the last picture. And I LOVE his color! Too cute. :D How tall is he?
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