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 Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:49 pm
Hey guys,
I just have a few questions regarding western pleasure training. I've been riding for 11 years and consider myself an advanced rider, and this year I went and competed at my state 4-H horse show. We qualified in our trail class. I watched the western pleasure class, which I enjoy competing in, but I didn't do it at State. My goal for this year is to make the top ten in trail and western pleasure, with classes around 50 showpersons each.
My biggest thing is western pleasure. My horse's head carries way too high at the lope, but she's fine at the jog and walk. I can also control her well on a loose rein and use voice commands. (I know some people don't believe in those, but they do work for my horse and I.) Basically, I'm looking for tips to lower her head and get her to round her back at the lope. She hollows her back out terribly. I'm going to try using draw reins, but if that doesn't work, any other suggestions?
I'm also looking for tips on how to do the metal gate in a trail class. We bombed that so badly. And claustrophobia in horses? My horse freaked out when we had to sidepass between the poles, and also when we had to sidepass over a pole with flowers growing out of it.
One more thing. Any ideas on how to keep her from rushing jumps? I've tried everything I know.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 1:16 am
With you high head issue I'd first check that his back isn't sore and the saddle fits right. I wouldn't go with draw reins because the horse can learn to balance on them and may not really learn to carry himself. I'd try lunging him in a chambon. It eliminates the rider from the equitation. Horse puts head up = pressure, head down (even the slightest bit)= release of pressure. This way your horse teaches itself to carry it's head low and develops the muscles needed to do so. But be careful not to over-work him because they can hurt themselves with this.
As for the poles that sounds like a confidence issue. Especially with the poles. Go back to ground work with them. I'd turn him loose in a round pen with the poles and try and drive him toward them. When he approaches them take the pressure off. When he can walk up to them start asking him to walk over. When he can walk, trot, & canter over them both directions with no problems, start leading him over them. When he can lead over at a walk and trot from both directions, get back on and start over. Encourage him to approach them when he does release pressure. When he's comfortable riding over at a walk, trot, & canter both directions then start asking for him to stop over the pole. Make sure he can side pass already without issue before trying to get him to do it over a pole.
With the gate, make sure he's able to preform a stop, side pass, and turn without and issues. Then break the maneuver down. Stop at the gate and unlatch it. If he stands reward him then re-latch the gate. If he stand reward him. Then go do something like trot or canter around the arena. Then go practice latching & unlatching the gate. In between, canter or trot around the arena. He'll learn standing by the gate is easier. When you don't have issues with unlatching move to opening. If he'll side pass 1-2 steps stop reward and go do something else. I've found at this stage it sometimes takes the horse a little while to learn they aren't going the run into the gate. When he can side pass the gate open, then add walking around the gate, and then finally add the side pass in the other direction.
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