[checota]

This is Jack he just turned 4 years old he is 75% foundation QH this is his 15th day with a rider. I am unsure what dicipline he is best suited for. I would welcome a critique of his movement and any comments on which dicipline he looks the most suited for. All comments are welcome, He learns very quickly and is very sweet and gentle and actually very calm for such a young animal. he is 16 hands tall.


Click on this link for video

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...t=08851dd4.pbr

[checota]

Anyone care to comment?

[Lou3]

okay from what I can see,
the martingale is far too tight, It needs to reach up to his throatlatch when he is standing with his head up, at the minute its pulling the reins and teaching him incorrect signals. personally I would remove it altogether.
I'd also be backing off slightly on the cantering until he has moving correctly at the walk and trot down. Get him balanced and bending properly and seeking the bit nicely and then re-introduce the canter.
He is going forward nicely and looks to have a nice attitude under saddle he just needs the lower gears refining before you do too much on moving up gears.

[Jovani]

I agree, I would remove it alltogether, when you are teaching a young new horse, I dont think you want to have him relying on the martingale, maybe making him off balance ( which he will be anyways since he is young) but at 15 days under saddle, you are not really worrying about head set(to much) but forward movement and a somewhat balanced gait.

But other then that, I thought he looked good! Getting a semi solid walk/trot should come before working w/. the canter to much, not saying you shouldnt try out the canter and have him do it for a few steps, espy if he goes into it well!! Remember, Massive praise when he does even the little things right!...


PS... HE IS CUTE!!!!!

[Whispers]

I agree with the above.....remove the martingale. He may do better withut it

He is very cute...and for his 15th time being ridden..AEWSOME! He is a little "goofy" with his movements but than again...he hasn't quite adjusted to learning how to move correctly with a rider on his back..His balance is thrown off a bit But from watching a few young horses get trained......he seems up to par and doing great.

I've never trained a horse....but I watch the trainers work with horses all the time....so this is more of an audience perspective than a trainers perspective

You got a great horse....seems like he's gonna make a wonderful mount.....do you plan on showing him later on?

[checota]

I will remove the martingale and work with him without it and see how he does, This was the very first time I cantered him, I am working on walk/trot only at this time, we just cantered the one time and as you can see it was a very short distance. I am taking him slow, but I do think he is doing very well for only 15 days under saddle. I appreciate the critique as well as the advice thanks so much!

[Lou3]

he is doing well, the important thing to remember when moving up a gear is not to let him get into the habit of going badly. When you ask for a canter make sure he is bending correctly and nicely balanced and then ask for just a few strides but make him KEEP that nice bend etc. The second he puts his head to the outside and swings his quarters in then you ask him back to trot and re-establish the bend etc then ask for canter again. That way he never learns any other way to go than the proper way.

[checota]

Thanks Lou3 for your advice, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your views. I will take it slow and do as you advise make sure he learns the right way EVERYTIME... it is easier to teach the right way first then it is to try to undo the wrong way of training. Thanks for the help everyone has offered!

[Lou3]

No problem. Always happy to help.

[kwp]

What a beautiful horse!!!