This is what it looks like out here in the woods currently...we are getting a "snow hurricane". It was in the forecast all week. I took these photos just 5 minutes ago...and we're supposed to get a foot on top of all that!
Otherwise, I don't have much to report...
Just wondering, what do you all do to get your horse's hind end engaged while riding? I'm told to squeeze Daisy while she's on the bit, but she either pops her head up from the squeezes, or speeds up...she doesn't know what I'm asking.
What's the weather like up by you?
Otherwise, I don't have much to report...
Just wondering, what do you all do to get your horse's hind end engaged while riding? I'm told to squeeze Daisy while she's on the bit, but she either pops her head up from the squeezes, or speeds up...she doesn't know what I'm asking.
What's the weather like up by you?
8 comments:
To get her to use her hind end more you first have to condition her hind legs. That means a lot of hillwork and trotting to build up the muscle. I have a similar problem with Indigo. Instead of being collected and having impulsion, he just races around at the canter. It's because one stupid person at Pee Wee made him run around fast and jump recklessly and he never quite got over it. I can usually get Indigo to collect and use his hindlegs by keeping pressure on his sides and pressure on the reins. This is telling him to use more energy but stay slower at the same time if that makes sense. It just gets him t channel his energy into his hindquarters instead of racing around. I think I just described the same thing you did but if her head keeps popping up it might mean you are asking her too hard or too fast and not giving her time to slowly get into it. make sure you start out nudging and then slowly increase the pressure accordingly. Is she sensitive? Some horses react more to pressure than others.
Mmmm...I guess she is pretty sensative. She's in tune to me, so yeah, she is...
I don't think it's a question of muscle build because at home we ride hills every day...we can't avoid them :P so she's got really strong hind legs. She just doesn't use them...she's very content to let her front end do the work (she is built down-hill so that probably has some to do with it)...
Oh boy Mel- to think I was *missing* snow from your neck of the woods!! After talking with family up in Tundra Country tonight, think I'm happy here for now ;)
Weather here... two days ago it was 70*. Today? Wind chill never got above 30*. Sonny had to get his blanket back on, and he pouted most of the day. Least the stupid skeeters and sand gnats had to go back into hiding...
SEVENTY?!?!?! I'm SOOO jealous! It's 18* here now...sooo not too cold, but I would so love to have in the 40's even!!! ;) Enjoy. (Hope the 30* goes away for you soon.... ;))
do you like riding in the snow? (minus the freezing fingers and toes??)
I do like riding in the snow :) Daisy's always extra energetic and she bounds through it :P
Hey!
While you are at Jeans, and can lunge, maybe you should give side-reins a try. She might not exactly like them at first, because they do force her to use her hind legs, at least more than usual. Just give it a try and see if it makes a difference. I mean, once you take them off, she might be right back to normal, but maybe if you do it more than once she'd get used to it. :)
~Lydia
Hey, Lydia...
I did use side reins lunging last year during the winter...haven't this year. Maybe I will...
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