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RE: [RC] Injecting hocks for mystery front end lameness!!!!! What? HELP!!!!!! - Ranelle RubinMike, In defense of draw reins, I have successfully trained two Arabs to move off their hind end with them. I did not, however use any 'nose band". Instead, I pushed them into contact with the bit and immediately dropped the draw rein when I felt their back come up and felt them move smoothly and in frame. I am not talking a "collected" frame either. Both of these horses would throw their head straight up and hollow out their backs when picking up a trot. One of them is Casey, an incredible gelding who carried Mr. Hasumi to a 23rd finish on Tevis in 2003 and is now living the life of luxury in Japan. His owner had only ridden him in one ride because he did not know how to get this horse to travel efficiently. He was like riding a sewing machine the first time I rode him. So often I see horses with incredibly short martingales, falsely keeping their heads down. This method was taught to me by a trainer friend who has shown T-breds all her life. The draw reins are used to re-enforce what you are teaching them with the direct rein ONLY. The second the horse moves into the bit with a relaxed poll and supportive back, the draw rein is dropped. With Casey, I rode him on the trail with these for about 3 weeks, the third week only using it once or twice per ride. After that, the slightest downward roll with the Myler bit and a gentle squeeze with my calves and he was in frame immediately. The key is to encourage the horse to reach into the bit and round out their back. The thrill of this kind of improvement and knowing you will create an animal who can last at this sport (get the weight off of the front end, develop muscles to support the rider with their back), is something I live for! My friend says these Arabs are like Matchbox cars, "All you have to do is show them what you want and they do it!". Ranelle -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mike Sofen Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 9:57 AM To: 'Ridecamp' Subject: RE: [RC] Injecting hocks for mystery front end lameness!!!!! What? HELP!!!!!! We had a stunningly well-trained and well-mannered horse nearly ruined by a "trainer" who felt that the horse needed to work more off of her hindquarters (correct) and used draw reins and a noseband to do so (wildly incorrect). This horse is now so barn sour, so resistant, so nervous and insecure that my wife can no longer ride her. It was my fault for not more closely monitoring what was going on at the trainers, and it is heart-wrenching that such behavioral destruction could occur. I will either have to find the time to re-train the horse personally or pay yet another trainer to undo the damage. Jonni's comments are totally on the mark. Listen. Save your horse. Mike -----Original Message----- This horse sounds like it is being asked to do too much, too fast, and in the wrong ways. Funny you said the vet told her the horse must be ridden in a collected frame at all times. Does the vet ride? Do they truly understand collection? And nosebands and draw reins are NOT the way to do this. Have her find a trainer that has a clue, and teaches classical dressage. Have her know how to ASK the horse to travel correct, so they horse finds it more comfortable itself, and not something the horse is so resistant to do causing blisters on her hands. (personally, she deserves MORE than blisters on her hands if they were caused from sawing the horses mouth) You said this is a TB/Trakehner mare? I'd guess that she would have the tendency to be more on the hot side, than a laid back horse, and forcing it to do all of this, after not being asked before, and after some lameness issues is not going to make this horse a happy camper. She will get more resistant and confused. You can not save them all, and I'd wonder how much of what ever you tell her will be considered anyway. She has her "trainer", who she seems to believe is having her do the right methods with this horse. Personally, the lameness issues are becoming secondary, to how this horse is being handled with its "training". Jonni =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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