How can i get my mare to hold her headset?

M

Mordivan

New member
She has had 4 solid years of professional dressage training when she was a filly. But then sold to a woman who made her a jumper, in any case she didn't get a lot of flat work done. Now that i have her im making her a hunter - trying to at least. I can get her in a really cute hunter trot and canter, i just can never have her hold it like that. We've been at this for awhile...but if i break any contact w/ my hands or my legs she just falls apart. I just would like her to be like that without doing a lot with my hands or legs, is that asking to much? haha.

Any tips are greatly apperciated!!
 
You shouldn't have to hold her. If she falls apart when you release the reins she isn't in self carriage.

Try working her slowly at walk and trot and do lots of lateral work (shoulder in is good but you can do counter shoulder in, travers, renvers, half pass too). Also do some lateral work on a circle (leg yield, shoulder in etc). Lots of transitions including rein back and direct transitions (eg halt to trot, walk to canter, working up to rein back to canter). This sort of work will get her taking her weight back.

Don't worry about her head, you need to maintain a contact with her mouth but you shouldn't be trying to pull her head in. The head carriage will come once she starts to take her weight back onto her hocks and builds a good topline.

Unfortunately 'professional' dressage training probably hasn't done her any favours either as there is a tendency for them to 'hold' them together using strong rein and leg aids so that they look as though they're on the bit but, actually aren't.

Good luck :)
 
You can use a running martingale. That will hold her head in place. Also, tie downs that attach to your saddle. I use them for my Quarter Horse when I ride him to keep his head down and nose tucked in.
 
Back
Top