This message is from: "finally r farm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Perhaps, I wasn't too clear in my earlier post regarding the bending and side reins. We never ride with side reins...we would just use them on the round pen, lunging. Tana would be all tacked up and asked to move out....I don't use a lunge line. I use my body, voice and a short whip to direct her. We don't do much riding in the round pen, I prefer to use the arena for riding. We have another Fjord, Ole (gelding) who seems to move forward better than Tana, doesn't flatten out like Tana (we've pretty much got under control but she does try!) and he seems to be more flexible than Tana. He has more of the "sport" build than Tana, who is draftier. He is younger (by 2 years) and less experienced than Tana. Tana's lack of flexibilty makes short or tight jumping courses more difficult to ride. Tana is my daughter's heart and her Pony Club mount.....she is wonderful, reliable just the way she is but if we can improve her and our own skills, we will strive to.
I really liked the post on not using any aids at all and will try the pointers. Jeri in Missouri
