If you've been around horses for any period, you'll have heard plenty of talks about whether a dressage pony should be worked deep or not. If you consult 10 riders on this issue, they are going to give you a dozen views. Many riders believe strongly in 'long and low' warming up and cooling down of horses, for example would get the horse's muscles to stretch out and loosen up. Other riders choose to school in balances applicable for the frame being worked. These riders don't stretch horses much. A lot of trainers like to school only in deep frames during movements, when they come above the bit as a matter of habit. Yet other riders like doing work awfully deep, with their horses' noses just about down to their chests; they allow the noses back up only when competition time is up.
How do you handle this issue in the frame of reference of your own pony?
You must let benign enmity (do the opposite) ideas make the choice.
Assume you are astride a real 'dirt sucker' your pony leans so much on his forehand you get the distinct feeling you are doing somersaults. It's advisable to ride such a horse more 'up' the long and low versions of such horses aren't correct, and while their heads and necks may stretch down and out, my first concern would lie more with the hindquarters. If the hind legs trail out to the rear of the body, and the horse is thrusting himself hard on the forehand, the balance is certainly bad. You can get his rear legs underneath his body by shortening your reins and by riding your horse just a bit more up. This way, he is going to carry better.
Let's go on another, totally different assumption. Your dressage horse is a 'stargazer', with the habit of going around inverted to such a degree you can practically go level eyeballs with him. He moves with a shortened neck, a lowered back and with his head and neck in the clouds. You must force him to the opposite shape so you can retrain him and get some strength into his topline muscles. You should get the hind legs further beneath the body in such a way that the back is up and the neck and head are low. Resort to connecting half halts for changing your horse's shape. After you are done giving a connecting half halt, let the reins go a little bit longer to enable him to seek contact to the front and down.
How do you handle this issue in the frame of reference of your own pony?
You must let benign enmity (do the opposite) ideas make the choice.
Assume you are astride a real 'dirt sucker' your pony leans so much on his forehand you get the distinct feeling you are doing somersaults. It's advisable to ride such a horse more 'up' the long and low versions of such horses aren't correct, and while their heads and necks may stretch down and out, my first concern would lie more with the hindquarters. If the hind legs trail out to the rear of the body, and the horse is thrusting himself hard on the forehand, the balance is certainly bad. You can get his rear legs underneath his body by shortening your reins and by riding your horse just a bit more up. This way, he is going to carry better.
Let's go on another, totally different assumption. Your dressage horse is a 'stargazer', with the habit of going around inverted to such a degree you can practically go level eyeballs with him. He moves with a shortened neck, a lowered back and with his head and neck in the clouds. You must force him to the opposite shape so you can retrain him and get some strength into his topline muscles. You should get the hind legs further beneath the body in such a way that the back is up and the neck and head are low. Resort to connecting half halts for changing your horse's shape. After you are done giving a connecting half halt, let the reins go a little bit longer to enable him to seek contact to the front and down.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
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