At 20:58:08 on 15.12.08, girlgroom wrote:
I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what to use to remind a haflinger pony to work in an outline, I think the little mare just needs a reminder to go long and low. Is there anything I could try using when I lunge or long rein her. thanks

At 18:16:49 on 15.01.09, saddleup wrote:
I know people use side-reins when lunging to persuade their horse to take the correct outline. Better horsemen than me are not so keen on this method, and I have seen so many horses with over bent necks as a result. I was always told that there was no substitude for using your legs to push them onto the bit though it can be incredibly hard and tiring work. Long legs work best!! With my Connemara there was a world of difference between schooling him in his pelham and his snaffle. With the pelham and the gentle pressure this put on his poll, he very happily took up a good outline. Hope this helps. Love to see a pic of your haflinger..they're stunning.

At 21:15:51 on 04.02.09, Supertramp wrote:
I find that my horse goes so much better in a pelham with double reins for a bit more control, but you cant rush getiting them into the perfect outline and the more gradually you do it the better they will look in the long run. But it's not easy, and you have to be consistent in how you discipline them and they usually go better after a long warm up on a long rein. And also try lots of bending and leg yeilding excercises to get them more supple and respnsive. Hope this helps!

At 21:56:32 on 04.02.09, saddleup wrote:
I think that's really good advice, Supertramp...gradual/ consistent/ long warm up on loose rein....well said. My sister had someone come to try her dressage horse the other day and was dismayed to see him being asked to come into a working outline straight out of the stable. Knowing her, she probably delivered a few sharp words! By the way, is this nice coloured horse in the pic you? Looking good!

At 07:25:31 on 05.02.09, girlgroom wrote:
thanks for all replying its been a great help I will put your good advise to good use. The coloured looks lovely I love to see horses go well without the use of gadgets.

At 18:37:52 on 10.02.09, saddleup wrote:
Well said, girlgroom. Any more pics of this pretty horse?

At 22:44:04 on 16.02.09, Supertramp wrote:

It's me and my horse Supertramp in the picture. I've gained so much experience from schooling him! He was bred by gypsies and was used for pulling a trap and trotting races, so he could trot 100miles an hour and didnt really feel the need to canter =P He was so unbalanced as well, he couldnt turn in a showjumping course and struggled with transitions. I bought him from a lady who had done lots of local level competing with him, and his enthusiastic and scopey jump attracted me but his rounds werent pretty to watch! I've had him 18 months now and have brought him back to the beginning and completely re-schooled him. He can now canter slowly =P, turn on a sixpence do halt to canter transitions and works consistently in an outline. The hard work definately paid off, and his showjumping rounds are now 100 % better. Anything is possible if you work hard enough!

(Click here for larger view)

At 12:29:20 on 17.02.09, saddleup wrote:
All credit to you for putting in the hard work...and what an eye-catchign pair you look in this pic. There's something particularly rewarding in bringing a horse round and making him come good ... more fun for him too with all the new arenas open to him. Let us know what you do with him in the coming season and keep these fab pics coming.

At 10:13:40 on 29.06.09, farasi wrote:
Side reins should never be tight, and are only used to keep even pressure on the mouth and help the horse to go straight, if a horse is straight and working through from behind and being ridden forward in to your hand it will soften and go round, all mine are lunged in side reins (loose) and ridden in KK bits, they all are worked forward and usually are round and soft in two sessions, however as they are unbalanced babies they do not maintain a consistant rhythm and the head carraige is not steady, this comes with careful work. Other than side reins (and a balancing rein I use on my old boy) i do not use any gadgets not even a martingale. A good instructor will help you will your training and give you good pointers and exercised to work on at home (even if it's just out hacking). Remmber it will take a long time for your horse's muscles to be strong enough to maintain the outline if he has been going the wrong way for a long time. So do it gradually. I only school once a week, but do a lot of training while out hacking, as it is easier for them as they are going more forward naturally!

At 07:13:22 on 27.08.09, essexequine wrote:
I used to use a harbridge when lunging instead of sideways. This encourage the horse to stretch through his back and reach down. I used this on my hunters including the ponies and it worked wonders.