OK this is following on from a question on the piaffe thread that Pikku Karhu asked me regarding what I had used to avoid Moralejo avoiding flexion in the haunches by rushing.
In brief, for those who haven't followed my blog, he is a PRE, rather square, big bellied (well big everywhere
) and a speed freak.
Basically he doesn't do anything without rushing (include eating in that list
) and so lunging, in-hand, schooling, hacking are all done fast!
I now work him bitless because along with fast we used to have head tossing.
My main aim now is to keep him supple and moving rather than create a future GP star
as he is 14 and not as supple as he used to be. He's not a bronco or nasty, just a boy who (like his dad) is rather full of beans.
So for PK here is what we work and have worked on to stop the rushing/avoidance.
Firstly the mental stuff............
I've had to win the mental balance by getting his trust; CT and lots of in-hand have helped and wearing a smile when he's being a plonker helped too.
I've learned when to push a little and when to back off, very important because he can lose confidence very easily if you push at the wrong time!
Say good LOTS because otherwise he gets very deflated! Of course only on merit but when deserved mega praise.
Physical stuff.........just a few of the things that have helped...
In-hand lots of lateral work, slowing the pace but still encouraging the hinds by touching the hinds with the whip. Rein-back to walk and trot, raising the hand to slow the forehand and teaching him to do this on his own from the voice command 'up'. Giravolta/halt/rein back/giravolta
this is a **** exercise for rushing.
Lunging, lots of transitions but most importantly trans from 'up' (as described above in the in-hand work) on a small circle with lunge whip pointing to haunches to 'down' stretchy trot on a larger circle.
Lots of changes of rein (I work from a halter/head collar) and start the new rein with giravolta into trot giravolta and then make circle larger before changing the rein and repeating.
Ridden work is the MOST challenging
but we do the usual slowing with the seat (5/10) which has led to some playing with counted walk (6/10) turning from seat alone (6/10). Giravolta and lateral work have strengthened/focussed him lots and you can feel the avoidances and correct them (I just need to be ready to correct before it happens
). The one thing you just can't do is straight
, of course that is what you end up with but it's not the means it's the end, otherwise you just get total avoidance in the back end department
Rein back (out on our tracks up hill is good for this) and I use rein back and halts as a means /to get him back off his front end (along the lines of Philippe Karl 'ish) and shift the weight back (8/10) and I use a little effet d'ensemble (hand with leg as a 'gathering' of energy) (9/10 when used with caution).
OMG I'll cut this short here 'cos it's already way to long (sorry you asked now Johanna
) but suffice to say we're STILL on the journey, it's got lots better but he's been a challenge
even if I do love him to bits.
So if anyone thinks of anything else (believe me this post is by no means exhaustive in terms of what I've tried) please share and if anyone else has a Moo to compare notes please feel free. I LOVE forward horses but this one was sent to test that love.
