Balance

[fionahogg]

When I'm schooling my horse, I find that, as I'm just working him around the arena, working on getting Monty forward and active in a good rhythm, I find that he goes very well. But then as soon as I start to ride movements such as serpentines, lengthening strides, smaller circles, etc, I find that he loses balance very easily; this results in Monty falling on his forehand and overbending. He overbends most when I ask for a downwards transition, even if I use my seat and no hand. This results in the pace that I am now riding in being very unbalanced and rushed, yet this only happens when I ask him to do more movements. I can usually rebalance him after about 4 strides. He also loses balance easily when I ask for him to change rein and offer more bend and self-carriage. How can I help balance him before he loses balance, whilst still encouraging him to carry himself rather than use me as support?
Thanks,

Fiona.

 

[Heather]

HI Fiona,

When you say that you are working Monty to get him forward and active, be very careful that you are not confusing speed with impulsion. The more forward the horse if he is being pushed out of his natural rhythm, the longer the base of the horse. This means that as soon as you start introducing tighter circles and bends, he simply cannot balance as he needs to shorten his base in order to perform them. This is so typical of today's schooling problems which are being caused by the current trend to go too fast, when the horse loses the caddnce and spring that he needs to perform more advnced turns etc.


If anyone has driven a trailer towed by a long wheel based vehicle, compared with a short wheel based one, they will know what I mean! The turning circle on the long version is not as god as that on the shor one- same in the horse!


Heather

 

[fionahogg]

Although I always make sure Monty is tracking up, he doesn't seem to be pushed out of his natural rhythm, and seems to be quite slow, but still forwards. I can see the sense in your answer, but I wouldn't say he is too fast. He does, however, speed up when I ask him to bend more and offer more self carriage; this results in the loss of balance I described. What can I do to help prevent this increase in speed and loss of balance?

Fiona.

P.S. What are your thoughts on the Flair system in saddles?

 

[Heather]

It is difficult to answer this without seeing him. I would use a stronger slowing seat aid, and also a stronger closing of the fingers every time he speeds up, then reward immediately by releasing as soon as he slows up. he should soon learn.

Re: the Flair system,. I have ridden on quite a few Flair conversions. I can see that it should be a good idea, but it does depende very much on who fits them as to how well they perform. Too much air in them and they bounce under you like a couple of footballs. I think that some horses like them, others seem to go no differently. I stick to pure wool flocking in my saddles which when properly done is as good as any, and in tests on various materials cameout top still. But if you try a saddle with Flair in it and your horse likes it, then I am certain that if properly fitted, it can't do any harm, except to your pocket!

Heather