GOT TRAINING PROBLEMS? ASK THE HORSE FIXER! © 2002 by JP Giacomini
Copyright ©2002, PUBLISHED 2002
This question was addressed by ‘Dave R.’ to JP’s Internet forum about keeping his horse’s head down during transitions: “Last night I was working on trot/canter and canter/trot transitions on a 20 meter circle. Going left, I thought we were doing OK, but going right Paco was raising/tossing his head each time he picked up the canter. The comment from the peanut gallery was "KEEP his head down on the upward transitions". Should I KEEP his head down by force? My idea is to rather do more exercises so he becomes stronger & more balanced and thereby keeps his head down himself - but then maybe the "right" answer is a little of both. What are everyone's thoughts on this?” - Dave R.
Dear Dave: Your horse is tossing his head during the transitions on the right because it is his most loaded shoulder (pushed out to the right) and that extra weight drags him down. This creates a mechanical conflict with your hand (probably your heaviest hand too :~) when you are trying to keep control of that shoulder that you sense is “falling in”. If that makes you feel any better, I clearly remember a lesson at Master Oliveira’s school in which the very same happened to me on a horse called Hectolitro. I could not fathom how to ask for the canter depart (or keep turning on the circle) without using the inside rein (as I was being told to do). He kept jerking his head harder and harder. Both the horse and the teacher grew more and more impatient and I was turning beet red with confusion. It got a lot worse before it got better, but since that day, I have never forgotten NOT to use the inside rein in a canter transition or a circle! For the turn, I now use my body to face where I want to go and push the horse forward in that direction, while I slightly tip my head outward to help the bend (try it, you will be surprised!). For the canter, let me explain.
Clean canter-trot and trot-canter transitions are essential gymnastic exercises at any stage of horse training. They are one of the simplest ways available to improve the relaxation and looseness of the gaits. Every author agrees that a sufficient degree of fixation of the head is one of the cornerstones of ANY correct transition work. Head jerkiness during the transitions (particularly from trot to canter) prevents the horse from using his/her back. Those unsolicited head movements can be a reflection of the rider’s lack of control of his/her seat or hand actions. If the rider has a sufficiently good seat and hands, it may simply be an avoidance by the horse of having to use his/her back due to weakness, stiffness or discomfort.
To prevent that evasion, YOU need to learn how to control your own balance, HE needs to become straighter, (which will result in more relaxation) and stronger through repetitions of the exercise that will improve the performance. Do it first in-hand and teach him to pay attention to voice commands and body language. THEN, do it under saddle so he can learn to deal with the weight of the rider during the transitions.
To improve the straightness (symmetry) of your horse at the most basic level, go back to the round pen and observe the difference between the way he canters to the right and to the left. I am ready to bet that when he canters left, his head is higher and more to the inside (away from the heavier shoulder) and his canter is slower. When he canters right, the same crookedness still happens: his head will be carried to the left (away from the SAME heavier shoulder), but the canter will be faster and further away from the wall.
Practice transitions at liberty from trot to canter, canter to trot, trot to halt and halt to rein-back and back to trot again.. To correct the lack of symmetry, use 2 lunge whips as follow: (more) of the “forward” whip-cue to push the front-end gently toward the outside when horse goes to the right (or slightly more ahead of the head to slow him down). Use (more) of the “back” whip-cue to increase the forwardness when he goes to the left. Learn to measure which one you need and when, as you repeat the exercise. Eventually (2 or 3 lessons), both canters will start to look more even. Of all the exercises, the rein back on the “heavy side” (the right?) will bring you the most results, particularly if you progressively convince the horse to place his weight on his outside shoulder (when he steps back) by gently tapping on the inside of that leg each time the foot leaves the ground to move backward.
At the beginning of training, use systematic voice COMMANDS and instantaneous voice REWARDS to obtain and praise all the transitions. They will create a bridge between liberty and ridden work. They signal your request, not only to the horse, but also (subconsciously) to the rider’s body that will better respond if a mental image is evoked. Remember that successful transitions under saddle depend largely on the rider’s body actively adopting the new desired rhythm and motion at FIRST, rather than passively following the horse's movements. To go from trot to canter (and as you say the word “CANTER”!), start making canter motions with your upper body while looking to the OUTSIDE (over your shoulder). This will free up the inside of the horse (the side that needs to advance the most when the horse changes from the symmetry of the trot to the
dissymmetry of the canter). To go from canter to trot, (and as you say the word TROT!), start posting motions (possibly on the outside diagonal) and load your outside stirrup as you briefly give away the contact on the inside rein (this will make the horse adapt his balance by switching gaits). Remember that you are the lead dancer, not the follower.
If practicing transitions at liberty and modifying your aids when riding do not suffice to eliminate the head tossing, it is because your horse has a very ingrained habit. Remedy: FIX his head’s position when asking for the transitions by lungeing the horse with one side-rein **on the inside only** (tighten it very progressively and use a full cheek snaffle). Repeat, repeat and repeat the transitions.
The principles to remember in this case are: PREVENT THE EVASION and RELAX THE HORSE THROUGH
REPETITION. Good luck, JP.
JP’S ESSENTIAL HORSEMANSHIP: CORE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HORSE & YOU ™
16 hr. of Essential Training with JP! 8 VHS Tapes for $295 including postage.
Thinking of breeding your mare? Consider JP’s 5 Lusitano Stallions, see them @
www.baroquefarmsusa.com
or call 859-339-4345.
Send reprint inquiries or REQUEST COMPLETE LIST OF ARTICLES: Email:
tmundi@alltel.net
