My new horse, Panama, was trained as a charro horse originally - you know, the dancing stallions that you see in parades? This has made it a bit of a difficult transition to the concept of dressage. He is used to big bits, big spurs, and the need to prance around in apparent high spirits at all times.
I've been working since December trying to teach him to use his hindquarters properly, to round his neck and reach down into contact with the bit, and to relax his back and allow it to swing while he's moving. He is used to holding his head super high which stiffens & hollows out his back. The muscle on the underside of his neck is so overdeveloped that it has been an uphill battle to get him to relax his back and start using the muscles on the top of his neck.
We're slowwwwwwly starting to get it! It will take a few months before he is strong enough to maintain the correct use of his back & hind end, but we're off to a good start. The first photo shows us at the beginning of the ride, head held high & proud.
The last 3 pics show a more desirable carriage, although we seldom hold it for very long. We go from too high, to just right, to curling behind the bit, and repeat many times throughout our ride.
He'll get it eventually.....
I've been working since December trying to teach him to use his hindquarters properly, to round his neck and reach down into contact with the bit, and to relax his back and allow it to swing while he's moving. He is used to holding his head super high which stiffens & hollows out his back. The muscle on the underside of his neck is so overdeveloped that it has been an uphill battle to get him to relax his back and start using the muscles on the top of his neck.
We're slowwwwwwly starting to get it! It will take a few months before he is strong enough to maintain the correct use of his back & hind end, but we're off to a good start. The first photo shows us at the beginning of the ride, head held high & proud.
The last 3 pics show a more desirable carriage, although we seldom hold it for very long. We go from too high, to just right, to curling behind the bit, and repeat many times throughout our ride.
He'll get it eventually.....
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