[BlingRacer]

Xander and I could really use some simple exercises to improve his drive from behind. Any tips? I posted some video over in the critique forum but didn't really get any responses so I thought I'd try it here and see what help I can get.

[Lou3]

transitions transitions transitions.

If I'm having trouble getting a horse using their hocks I will do short 2-3 minute bursts where they literally are not at the same gait for more than 5-10 strides. Getting them moving up and down through the gaits smoothly and balanced really gets them using their hocks properly, maintain it with lots of leg and do another exercise for a while, when you start to lose the connection from behind start over with the transitions. They cant do a lot of balanced transitions one after the other while they're even remotely on the forehand so its quite a successful strategy.
Start with single gait transitions and once they are totally smooth move on to double gait transitions.

To get him tracking up and reaching under himself try ground poles, start with them at his comfortable "normal" stride and then move them apart a few inches so that he has to extend his stride to reach over them, next move them closer together by a few inches so he has to shorten his stride to go through them. concentrate on the rhythm remaining exactly the same throughout so that he has to really extend and contract his body.

Those have always been useful exercises for me.

[JBandRio]

One exercise I find VERY useful for my backwards-thinking WB gelding is this:

start at one end of the ring (or short enough section of a field, some distance where you have a visual delineation of 2 points not too far apart), and, from the halt, pick up the trot. Trot trot trot to the other end, then stop. Stand there. Relax.

Turn around, and repeat back to the other end. Stop. Stand there. Relax.

Over and over.

The lazy guys LOVE to then get in a hurry to the place where they get to stop again

Repeat with the canter.

It literally had my guy jumping into the trot or canter within a very short amount of time, and being very energetic about it the whole way over. It got to the point where I'd ask for the trot and he'd want to canter LOL

So, that gets them mentally thinking forward. At that point, transitions really are the key to building strength so that he CAN be continually energetic. In my first exercise, you are also building strength, because you ARE doing transitions, but it's SO much easier to work on the physical part when you have the mind already on board

Don't forget your lateral work as part of your transition exercises. You can transition from going straight, to leg yield for a few steps, to straight, to LY the other way for a few steps, repeating over and over. Lateral work engages one hind end more than the other, though each are engaged in a different manner, and that alone increases impulsion both by way of straightening the horse (a crooked horse cannot have good impulsion, though he may have great speed) and by strenghtening the horse.

[BlingRacer]

Thanks for that advice I've been doing the transitions as mentioned, but I'm going to try all the other stuff ya'll mentioned too. Thanks

[Rummymuffin]

Transitions up and down to different gaits are great, but so are transitions within one gait. There are lots of different ways you can do this; trot a 20m circle at one end of the ring, and as you approach the "open" side of the circle (the part where you are not near the rail) push your horse into a more forward trot, then as you approach the closed side, collect. Keep repeating until you feel as though you are able to get the most change with the least amount of effort on your part. You can also try starting on a 20m in regular trot, then push forward down the long side. 20m circle at the other end slowing the trot.

I think it's important for a lazy horse to feel both ends of each gait; if you are constantly driving forward, forward, forward, you won't get anywhere, and your horse probably won't figure out what you want. Instead, if you ask for a little at first, then gauge back, then ask for more each time, you will find a bigger improvement. It's the same with transitions; you have to do the upwards, and the downwards, because they will both improve your horse's sensitivity. Be sure that when you collect to the working gait as opposed to the more forward/lengthening part, your horse does not drop behind you, but stays in front of the leg. It's an excellent test to see if he's truly listening and understanding what you want. If he does drop back too much, push forward again.

[tlwidener]

Try looking up some of Dana Hokana's WP youtube clips. I really like her series and methods.

[Chester]

Also get out of the arena into the big wide world. Horses get bored and sluggish from being bored.

[BlingRacer]

Here's a video of him....I'm trying to get him not to go faster but to reach up under himself more, if that makes sense.

He's a little off on one foot in this video (sole bruise) so don't mind that (the vet already gave me the clear to keep riding). He's got a long back and I think that's also part of the "drive" problem. I've been working with him seriously for about 90 days now, so he's a long way from perfect but I think we're getting better.

YouTube - xander under saddle 3

[Jim_in_PA]

Originally Posted by Lou3

transitions transitions transitions.

If I'm having trouble getting a horse using their hocks I will do short 2-3 minute bursts where they literally are not at the same gait for more than 5-10 strides. Getting them moving up and down through the gaits smoothly and balanced really gets them using their hocks properly, maintain it with lots of leg and do another exercise for a while, when you start to lose the connection from behind start over with the transitions. They cant do a lot of balanced transitions one after the other while they're even remotely on the forehand so its quite a successful strategy.

This is what my trainer has me working on with Elvis for exactly the same reason.