Taran is half Fells Pony, and it shows up in his trot. His
usual trot is this tiny, mincing gait, with no reach and not much forward
movement.
Fells Pony x TB = Llama?
He’s also quite stuck in his shoulder, an affliction which may in part be left over from when he stepped on a nail 5 years ago, had surgery, and spent months limping around on his RF.
Stuck in the shoulder.
On the bright side, Taran has an excellent tempo that requires very little management on my part, unlike certain Haffies who require micro-management of every step lest they barge off down centerline (ahem).
In our regular rides, Taran has started to relax his shoulder
and stride out more, which is exciting. He’s better going left,
probably because his RH doesn’t step under as well (we’re working on that). I’ve
asked him for a little lengthening now and again, and while he does try for a
bigger step, it’s only marginally bigger, and not really what I’m looking for.
It takes some convincing, but this is now his "normal" working trot.
It is SO HARD to be Taran.
So last weekend, hubby and I were out on the trails and I
wanted to try something new. We had Brego go first at a canter, and I brought
Taran behind him, but kept him to a trot (Brego is a wee bit slow lol). His
trot got bigger… and bigger… and bigger… until suddenly it was like someone
unlocked all his joints and he was REALLY moving out! His back had so much
swing, and his shoulders really came up and out – the difference was amazing!
We only did it for a short time because I’m sure it was hard for him, but I was
able to ask him several times and get it. In my head it looks like a Grand Prix
extended trot, which is probably not the case, but it’s definitely better than
his mincing pony trot!
I think that hacking out is the key to unlocking FORWARD. Not fast, just a true release (as you were saying) within the gaits! It definitely helps with the Tbs so I can only imagine how it helps the littles!
ReplyDeleteHacking is definitely awesome!
Deletewow that's quite the transformation!
ReplyDeleteMagic trainer dust works wonders, doesn't it?
DeleteI didn't know he was half Fells pony. He's looking really good in those photos!
ReplyDeleteI think the front half is Fells, the back half is TB - that's why the front half is 15.1 and the back half is 15.2. That's the theory, anyway.
DeleteHe's looking very snazzy in those pictures! (aside from the llama one, haha). I used to do the same thing on the trails to Mikey- the group would trot or canter and I'd force him to keep to the trot and I'd build and build it until it was shoulder popping extended goodness. And yes, in my head, we were Grand Prix! If you find the secret to getting that in the ring, patent it, then sell it to the rest of us. I never quite figured out how to get it in the ring with Mikey.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty happy with how he's coming along. He's not a big fancy mover, but for him he's doing great, and that's what matters most. As for getting The Big Trot in the ring, I'll just have Brego wait at the diagonals outside of the arena and point Taran right at him. That's doable, right?
DeleteLlama dressage is totally going to be the next big thing.
ReplyDeleteHe looks great- you're doing such a great job with him!
Llama dressage is already a thing. We're experts at it!
DeleteDominique Barbier is all about visualizing what you want from the horse's gait - if you visualize it the horse will do it. If there's any merit to that, I'd say seeing his trot as a Grand Prix extended trot in your head will make all the difference in the world! Great progress regardless. =) He looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteLol, so you're saying it's all in my head, huh? ;)
DeleteI love introducing forward out on trails or in a field to the ones that struggle with it. They just get so stuck in the arena sometimes.
ReplyDeleteArenas can be super sticky for sure. However, trails are terrifying and contain Things That Might Eat Horses, so it's a double-edged sword.
DeleteI have found that trail experience really helps Nilla in the arena. We got so much canter work done on the trails that made it easier to get canter in the arena.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'm brave enough to canter Taran out on the trails yet - he spends too much time looking for things to spook at!
DeleteBobby learned his lengthenings on the trail. Being out in wide open spaces is way more fun to do dressage work!
ReplyDeleteTrue, and there are more things to spook at too!
DeleteHe is so fancy! Hopefully as he gets stronger, you can access that big trot a little easier.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks! He's getting fancier by the day!
DeleteA trainer I rode with a few times had a similar ay of getting a more forward trot. She suggested I ride with a "get the bone!" enthusiasm. In another words, look forward and think about a dog chasing after the bone. It's basically what you experienced on the trail: when you have a purpose, like trotting down the trail or a dog getting a bone, there's more reason to step out and get somewhere. :0)
ReplyDeleteHahaha, Taran needs more reason to move more forward. Perhaps piles of grain along the way? ;)
DeleteSquee so exciting to feel them open up vs what we usually ride. K used to have a real mincing choppy stride, but thanks to help from the ground and pessoa work (i think) we have managed to unlock it considerably...nowhere near lengthening and whatnot not sure K has the brain/desire for fancy dressage floatiness but her current stride is much more relaxed and less hollow than it used to be.
ReplyDeleteWhereas Nancy's part Friesian trot, when she struts *swoon* one day I hope I can wrangle some photographers/videographwrs so that I can see if it looks as nice as it feels or if she is codding me *sigh* #uselessjockeyproblems
Oooh yes, I want pics of Nancy! She sounds soooo fancy!
DeleteHe's looking so good!!
ReplyDeleteThe dark helps. ;)
DeleteWhat a cutie pie! My tb likes to pretend he has a pony trot
ReplyDeleteAt least since Taran is half Fells pony, I have an excuse for the pony trot!
Delete