Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Keep His Head UP!

10/4/2012

 
Since my lessons have moved to Monday evenings, I am finding it hard to write about them while they're still fresh in my mind. Even though it's late as I write this, I really want to get something down on "paper" so that I won't forget the important points of the instruction.

Speedy likes to travel behind the bit. It has proven to be a difficult training issue. No matter how much leg I employ, he just gets rounder and rounder until I feel as though I am riding a headless horse. This prevents any throughness from happening.

Last week, JL had us working to the right. Speedy doesn't get as behind the bit in this direction, but when he does, the fix is fairly simple: if he comes behind the vertical, I simply give a tug on the outside rein with added leg until he engages behind and gets his nose back where it should be. I had to be very consistent, but in a short while, he understood the rules.

After that lesson, tracking right became much easier. I could feel better activity behind, and I had a visual reference for when he dropped behind the vertical. Tracking left proved to be a bigger challenge.

Jl had a solution: as we track left, I keep my hands ridiculously high. Not very "dressagey," I know, but it worked. Speedy hated the exercise at first. But as I insisted that he keep his head higher, his footfalls got quieter and he got softer in my hands. JL explained it like this: Speedy has to learn that he can't escape the contact. Dropping behind the vertical means that he doesn't have to use his hind end. 

As we traveled to the left, Speedy tried everything he could to get his nose down to his chest. I just insisted that he keep his nose in front of the vertical.  Sometimes I spread my hands wider, sometimes I had to give a tug on the inside rein, and sometimes I simply had to halt him with the outside rein.

After being seriously consistent and insisting that he stay in front of my leg, Speedy quit fighting and figured out that I wasn't going to let him escape the contact. Victory!  It felt great to have a horse with activity behind who was actually really striding out.

As we repeated the circle, I finally started to feel when he was "stalling out" in the hind end.  A little spur and a lift of the inside rein to remind him to get his head up got him working from behind again.

I know this all seems counter productive: who wants their horse to get his head up? But when Speedy's nose is so far behind the vertical, there is no way to ask for any kind of extension or collection. With a little more practice, I think Speedy will be happier with this change to our riding. I just have to work on being very, very consistent in not allowing him to drop behind the vertical. 
lytha
10/4/2012 01:06:51 am

hey, that's what i was gonna say - holding the hands ridiculously high! did you see the classical vs. classique video? when phillipe karl got on that horse who was habitually ducking behind the bit, he just did what you described and fixed the horse's way of going, also explaining to the owner how to do that. that was such an eye opener for me! apparently the french school does that with all their horses, holding the hands up high to keep the horses' heads up, and then allowing them to drop over time, opposed to getting them as low as possible and eventually trying to bring them up. the argument is that they can't use their hind ends as well when their heads are too low. it's fascinating to me, and i want to learn more.

Karen
10/4/2012 11:11:09 am

Lytha - thanks so much for sharing that! I think your explanation was better than mine. My trainer gets a lot of flack from this blog's readers because her methods aren't always today's "dressage flavor du jour." I like her though because what she tells me to do seems very much rooted in classical instruction even though most of her work is with hunter/jumpers.

Speedy LOVES to get behind the bit. Just like you said, her plan is to get him to drop over time once he is stronger over his top line. And you're right again in that he can't use his hind end when he's hiding from the bit. You and I are definitely working from the same play book!

Kelly link
10/4/2012 05:25:23 am

I have the opposite issue with Riva - her head isn't up, but out - she was bred for hunter/jumper. Since she is not allowed to jump - dressage it is! She does love the free walk and stretchy trot circle though :)

I think you nailed it though with having to be consistant - every moment of every ride - which is tough, I know! I like that your trainer came up with raising your hands - no, not pretty as far as dressage - but that will come with time.

Karen
10/4/2012 11:18:55 am

I have a similar problem with Sydney. Riding one who gets behind the bit and one who is in front of the vertical, I think it is much easier to work on the in front of the vertical thing. Like you say, at least they can stretch! Speedy can't/won't stretch because he's too busy trying to touch his belly button!

It's only now that JL can trust me to be consistent. I asked her why we hadn't worked on this before and her answer was that my feel is finally developing and I can now see/feel when I am not being consistent. I am quite sure there are gobs more things that I am not consistent about which she will share with me when we're ready! :0)

lytha
10/4/2012 04:19:50 pm

here is PK demonstrating, at 1:30 he says, "if he's OK, i keep my hands low - it's the result, not the beginning" (his english isn't that great) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OgBfZhzm18


Karen
10/4/2012 10:52:16 pm

THANK YOU!!!!! Lytha. I am going to share that video here on the blog. That's very close to what JL was sharing. I had to keep my hands up MUCH longer though as Speedy wasn't as quick to give up as that horse was! i am pretty sure I'll be watching that video a few times.

lytha
10/5/2012 01:28:27 am

i recommend renting classical vs classique where you hear him argue with one of germany's "USDF" people, where the german says all the things we read, all correct, the training pyramid, but isn't able to get results at the end where they test the two against each other on real horses. well, i admit it's very dry unless you are a dressage freak.

there is this german tv special on youtube about rollkur and at 3:30 PK speaks (in english) and says, "They allow Low, Deep, and Round for 10 minutes, more than that is not allowed. This is comparable to saying 10 minutes of beating your wife is OK." Then they briefly show his alternate method (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPr8kLUDSsE).

Karen
10/7/2012 10:41:03 pm

I am definitely going to check this out!

Val
10/5/2012 05:21:35 am

I agree that it is very difficult to correct a horse who ducks behind the contact.

I am also taught to raise my hands to improve the horse's balance, especially the inside rein. Sometimes an exaggerated technique is necessary to change habits. Combing the reins through the hands is another technique to suggest to the horse to stretch and reach to the bit. Just about every horse I have ever tried this on, loves it. It looks silly and not very dressage-y either, but the proof is in the happy horse.

Karen
10/7/2012 10:33:29 pm

I think this is a tough problem, too. To the left, it is the inside rein that I need to lift. Interestingly, to the right, I have to use the outside rein which is the SAME rein as to the left! If I lift the inside rein while tracking right, I lose any straightness that I might have had going for me.

A similar thing happens with Sydney: I have to almost always use my right leg to guide him: as the inside leg to push him out and as the outside leg to hold him in.

Can you explain what you mean by "combing the reins through the hands?"

Val
10/9/2012 06:56:58 am

I would love to!

Palms up. With both reins in your right hand, reach forward up the reins with your left hand. Grasp both reins in your left hand and draw your hand back toward your body. The reins should slide through your hand. Before you reach the end of the rein, reach forward with your right hand, grasp the reins, draw back and let them slide. Repeat as if your were combing your fingers through your horse's tail, hand over hand, palms up. Start in the walk and then try it in the trot. You can also just comb one rein (like the inside rein) to encourage lateral stretch or initiate a circle. Horses like it because there is no "end" to the rein, but there is still contact. You can experiment with how tightly you hold the reins. Harley will drop to the buckle now that he knows the exercise. Wish I could use it for the stretchy trot in dressage tests!

Karen
10/9/2012 11:01:50 am

Very interesting, Val. I will certainly give it a try. Speedy lowers his head with ease, BUT he doesn't stretch forward and down. He just goes straight down. If this will encourage more forward stretch, I'm all for trying it!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home