That is a video of PO riding Phoenix last week. I wanted to track his progress and see how that hind end weakness comes along. As you all know, Phoenix and I hit a rough patch this week. We had a REALLY bad ride. I was literally ready to just walk away and let PO deal with him. Phoenix and I have since had some really nice rides. Like on the buckle hunter hack rides. My trainer is coming out today to give Phoenix and I a lesson. She knows what is going on and she also knows me really well. If I am still retaining fear (which I don’t think I am, but she might be able to see it before I feel it) then I need to re-evaluate the Phoenix situation. If she thinks we are good to go then I will trust in that. So today is a big day! My trainer has also not seen Phoenix and I go since December so it will be interesting to see what she says since she has not seen us in a while.
He looks pretty cute in the video. How did you ever get him so clean! Good luck today and don’t stress, the more you think about what’s at stake the more nervous you’re likely to get.
needs more forward – he’s resisting connection and being “through” and you can only address it with more forward. I’d almost say he looked rather “eh. whatever. I’ll trot, but I’m not going to work…” I can’t tell from the video – is he even tracking up at the trot??
He’s fussy in the head – another resistance to connection – that is where I would “lower the neck” – ride him very deep and low and push him forward till he lets go of the tension. That’s one of the fastest ways to get him truly working over the back and releasing how he’s locked in the neck and poll. We don’t worry about frame at this point – more about creating the hind feet to forward movement connection. Remember – if he’s not developed the muscles for that type of self carriage, it will be hard for him to sustain it.
You can not get rid of tension like this without legitimate forward motion, even if its just at the walk.
I can see why you’re concerned at times – he’s big and he is emphatic when he’s not wanting to do something…. But he’s also young and may not “get it” – you may have a combination of youthful “I don’t wanna” and “I don’t understand.”
The other thing that may work is asking him to let go, one rein at a time – hold the right right out to the side (creating tension) – don’t pull – just hold, while pushing forward. As soon as he drops his head or gives on that rein, let go. Repeat with the other side. This will help him learn that when you increase the contact, he MUST give. Some days it may take 5 minutes, some it may take 30. The key is to release when he releases and to NOT PULL. You are the wall, not the tugger.
He’s clearly a handful. But cute as a button. Keep up the work – the foundations are truly the hardest to learn for both horse and rider, and if you don’t do them right the first time, you’ll have to back up later and do them over, which is very frustrating. good luck!
Oh LOVE the video…he’s got nice feet.
Could be b/c I’m obsessed now, lol. Happy Bday spotted pony!