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[RC] re: my horse wants to be in front... - Cindy CollinsYes, the good ones often do want that! I spent years fighting out of control horses at the start of a ride, and finally decided to get smart and make some changes. All of my horses now take dressage lessons for at least a year before they go to an endurance ride. Yes, it's boring and I know that it costs money, but how much is your body and your horse worth??? What I find helps so much is the lateral control. When the horse starts to act stupid, we start side passing back and forth down the trail... or we change leads back and forth...or we flex both directions, etc. Anything to make the horse have to concentrate on your aides and have to think about doing something besides running with the "herd". My four year old is currently taking a dressage lesson on one Monday night and a jumping lesson on the alternating Monday night. Also, the first year of competition, I start after the pack has disappeared. This only takes 5-10 mins. of waiting (I don't even untie them from the trailer, or I have a friend who gets on and rides in the opposite direction) and you will catch up with horses soon, and you'll be safe. BTW, the lessons have certainly improved my riding and helped me to use my body and my horse's body so much better. It's also taught me a lot of humility. Cindy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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