re: RC:Training Ride

["Dave Bloxsom" <cyclone@snet.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Bloxsom <cyclone@snet.net>
To: <KSwigart87@alumni.gsb.columbia.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: Training Ride


> > I said:
> >
> > "If you ride
> > a horse correctly, and use your hands and legs effectively,
> > ALL horses,
> > Arabs and otherwise will reflexively assume a round frame.
> > It's not about training, it's about riding right."
> >
> Kat said:
>
> > Ummm.... This isn't entirely correct.  Some horses (and
> > modern arabians are particularly prone to this) are
> > conformationally unsuited to being able to round their
> > backs.   And some horses are so far gone down the "upside
> > down" training road that getting them back underneath
> > themselves is nigh on close to impossible.
> >
> Well, perhaps I should have said "... they will assume a round frame to
the
> extent that they are conformationally able ... " but no, that doesn't stop
> them from coming onto the bit when the hands and legs are used properly.
> Even the hollow-built Arabs.  The horses I've used a running martingale on
> were:
>
> 1) quarter horse, BADLY mis-ridden.  head tosser/star gazer.  3 weeks in a
> martingale
>
> 2) arab/QH, spoiled.  goes hollow.  use a RM on trail for riders who don't
> know how to ride well enough.  uses none in a lesson.
>
> 3) another one like #2, arab.
>
> -Abby
>