[shorelineph]

Hello everyone!!! I need some HELP... I have a grey/white paint gelding that is bred to be a western pleasure horse. I have started him in the w/t division and he is doing very well.

But I ride HUS and have NO idea how to start to develop a wp lope. I have no local trainer here that wont destroy a good horse..

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start the slow lope process????

[Lopinslow]

Originally Posted by shorelineph

Hello everyone!!! I need some HELP... I have a grey/white paint gelding that is bred to be a western pleasure horse. I have started him in the w/t division and he is doing very well.

But I ride HUS and have NO idea how to start to develop a wp lope. I have no local trainer here that wont destroy a good horse..

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start the slow lope process????

a lot of it is the natural ability of that horse. that ultra slow and CORRECT lope comes from a very high degree of collection and self carriage, something that takes a LONG time for a horse to learn, even if they have a ton of natural ability to start with! i would say it takes at least a solid year of riding by someone experienced with WP horses to start getting that lope pretty solid.

How much riding does this horse have? how broke in the face and body is he? (does he give to the bit well and can you move every part of his body around easily )

IF he is ready to start asking for slower and collected, that ALL comes from your legs! you push from behind and trap the forward energy in your hands.

[shorelineph]

He just turned 3 and has been rode 5-6 days a week just under a year so far...he is very broke in the face... and rides totally off my legs...he is getting stronger on holding his frame for longer periods..We have had several lessons and clinics with Cleve Wells..

He is very quiet and slow while being lunged and warmed up..he is out of Ima Flashy Zipper...so he has the blood..and I have seen the ability...He loves to work...and show...

[Lopinslow]

if you have been taking lessons from Cleve and attending his clinics, you are definately on the right track.

[shorelineph]

Ya but I will never again..I under stand he needs results ASAP..but I dont..after the last clinic when he rode him (he was a little over 2) he split his sides open...and it took a while to get him quiet again with my leg...i am not looking for immediate results..I dont mind taking my time...he is just a baby..

[AllAroundRdr]

I'm not here to jump to Cleve's defense...BUT -- I will say as a trainer who has the amount of clientele (which I might add are generally very demanding and want results YESTERDAY) that he has and the calibur of horses, results are wanted right then and there, and he's not the only trainer like that. I've had horses on and off with him for years and very much value his knowledge and training approach - certainly there's approaches I avoid, but that comes with every trainer


Although your horse may be pleasure bred, unfortunately it's not a guarantee he'll excell in pleasure (oh if it only worked that way! )

As already mentioned, collection comes from behind. IMPULSION, IMPULSION...IMPULSION Drive with the hind and slow/steady the front.

Conformation plays a tremendous role in how 'slow and low' your horse can and will be. If he's not naturally flat kneed and deep hocked he's not going to lope as flat as some of the others in the pen. Yes, you can flatten knee action a bit, but only so much.

[Circle C]

Originally Posted by shorelineph

Hello everyone!!! I need some HELP... I have a grey/white paint gelding that is bred to be a western pleasure horse. I have started him in the w/t division and he is doing very well.

But I ride HUS and have NO idea how to start to develop a wp lope. I have no local trainer here that wont destroy a good horse..

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start the slow lope process????

A LOT OF LOPING..... just keep asking for that slowness in the leg movement, but keep the head down and keep them in frame. Pull, release, pull, release... a lot of it. Don't let them drop shoulders in the turns..... keep them in frame and collected and shoulders up.

It takes time.... to get a nice lope, you have to practice at the lope...a lot, just like anything else. a martingale if used corectly will also help.

[shorelineph]

Cleve is an awesome trainer and he does get the results..but I am with you some things are not nessasary...Clients are a PAIN....

He has the talent and the want..like you said I just hope he has the ability to collect and slow. so far so good. I have a very well bred mare that is out of pleasure horses and she is the best show jumper I have ever rode...so i hear you on the horses desire.. I practiced with him last night during our ride and he slowed a little but he is still having a hard time to keep the frame. I know this will take some time and Im all more then willing to give it..

Originally Posted by AllAroundRdr

I'm not here to jump to Cleve's defense...BUT -- I will say as a trainer who has the amount of clientele (which I might add are generally very demanding and want results YESTERDAY) that he has and the calibur of horses, results are wanted right then and there, and he's not the only trainer like that. I've had horses on and off with him for years and very much value his knowledge and training approach - certainly there's approaches I avoid, but that comes with every trainer


Although your horse may be pleasure bred, unfortunately it's not a guarantee he'll excell in pleasure (oh if it only worked that way! )

As already mentioned, collection comes from behind. IMPULSION, IMPULSION...IMPULSION Drive with the hind and slow/steady the front.

Conformation plays a tremendous role in how 'slow and low' your horse can and will be. If he's not naturally flat kneed and deep hocked he's not going to lope as flat as some of the others in the pen. Yes, you can flatten knee action a bit, but only so much.

[Buckshot]

Sounds like you're on the right track...

But get your horse really working of their hind and do a ton of transitions. Drive forward with your legs/seat, but trap the "forward" with your hands. If she gets really fast bring her don a gait or two and ask her for the lope again. It takes time!

[AllAroundRdr]

To add to Buckshot's comment, along with up and down transitions, do LOTS of lateral and flexion work. Not only will this make your horse more supple it'll build muscles he needs in order to maintain balance/collection and carry a frame on his own. Unless your horse is using himself 100% I'd lay off TRUE collection (lope) work and focus on what's going to help him get and stay collected down the rail.