Re: Dressage training for Fjords
This message is from: Starfire Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Start at the halt and walk first. Take "baby" steps and reward every little try with a release of your aids. First comfirm that you horse understands moving away from your leg. It doesn't matter where he goes, just that he moves away immediately. Make sure you let him know he's done the right thing by discontinuing application of the aids as soon as he moves. If you don't get an immediate response, help a little by tapping him with your whip. Reward him lavishly and make a big deal out of what a wonderful boy he is when he gets it! Next, work on a turn on the forehand, which is asking the horse to step his hind end around his front end, essentially pivoting on the front feet. Be careful here, though, you don't want him to stick his front feet into the ground and actually pivot, it is better if he walks a small circle with his front feet. You always want to have the feeling that you are going forward. When you accomplish this, you can ask for softening of the jaw, but I would not ask for this in conjunction with the above two exercises, yet. Just ask for a slight softening on either side of the bit first, while you're standing. Again, reward every little try with a release of the rein. When he reliablly yields to the right and left, try a little with both reins, but don't get into a fight about it! If you get into an argument, you have pushed your horse too much. Let your horse tell you what his learning time frame is! When he starts to offer softing his jaw reliably, ask him to yield a little at the walk. Then ask him to move away from your leg, then add the outside rein and outside leg behind the girth to incorporate some bending. Take each piece a little at a time, then gradually put them together. If your horse starts getting a little upset, back off and go to something simpler. It only means that he doesn't yet understand. Taking your time now will reap great rewards later! My experience with Fjords is that, breaking down the complete movement into the smallest components, then gradually putting them together, helps them really understand what it is you want them to do. Once they understand it, it's there forever, they don't forget. I've also noticed that a Fjord will respond to whatever aid you give him with the same amount of force that you apply the aid. In other words, if you hang on your aid too long, he will respond sluggishly. If your timing is good, and your release reward is instant, his response will be instant. Your releases can be big ones at first, but can gradually, as you and your horse become more sensitive to each other, become imperceptible to onlookers. Only you and your horse will know! These principles will work for getting a horse to move forward, also. Ask him to go, if you don't get an immediate reaction, back it up with a tap of the whip. Make sure you get a reaction, but also be ready for the horse to go forward, and allow him to go, it doesn't matter where, or you have sent a mixed signal which will only confuse him. Once he understands the forward aid, you can contain his forward response in a few steps, then a couple, then one, then a half-halt, then forward into a full halt (rather than pulling backwards into a halt!) Happy training! Beth, Sandy and the gang, BDF Magnum, BDF John Arthur, Maerta, and two new ones on the way, Heidi and Kjell.
RE: Dressage training for Fjords
This message is from: Paula Steinmetz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'm also working with 6 yr old gelding (Fjord, of course!) in dressage. Very resistant to bending/sofening jaw. We worked for quite awhile on "forward" but he now seems confused with leg pressure when I ask for bending (in either direction). What is working? Any ideas? -Original Message- >This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Tank and I are getting serious about our dressage training this spring >under saddle and in driving. My prior experience is with my Morgan and >after many years of off and on work (forget winter training!) we are >approaching second level. Tank is beginning to listen to leg pressure, but >is not very sensitive ( a little Fjord horse owner sense of humor here). I >am starting to ask him to soften his jaw more and bend a little (he doesn't >like this!) I have to get after him a little more that I have. My driving >instructor says he does have a good mouth. > >Does anyone with experience in dressage and Fjords have any special advice >about their training that is different from working with other horses? > >Cynthia Madden, Coordinator >Office of Sponsored Programs & Research >University of Nebraska at Omaha
Re: Dressage Training for Fjords
This message is from: BKFJORDS <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I agree with Cinthia on the Dressage training! Up until the past three years, when our instructor decided to start raising a family, we had taken lessons from a dressage instructor. The horses benefit immensley, no matter what their age!! AND, the woman cannot wait until she has a "barn full of Fjords to give lessons on". How's that for breed advertisement? Bernadine in Michigan, waiting impatiently for a foal!!!
Dressage Training for Fjords
This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Allison, I have been luckier than you. I have worked with a dressage instructor and now good friend for about seven years. She is into dressage, not into competition, and loves my Morgan (not normally through to be dressage phenomenons). She knows Tank and in fact helped me pick him out. She will work with us to do whatever his build and mind-set (and mine,also) allow us to acheive. Her best dressage horse was a Saddlebred! She only laughs with Tank. I think that whenever one choses an instructor or trainer that it is important to find someone who is flexible and open-minded but very competent. That is why I have not found many I like. But the three women we work with now under saddle and in driving are really great and meet our criteria. They have also all become good friends of ours. I am constantly surprised by people who find it odd that we still work with instructors and trainers. I find it surprising that anyone around horses thinks that don't need to have someone to help them and keep them on track. You tend to become too comfortable with things when you don't have someone to at least occassionally check you out and correct things that you have just been too lazy to keep going or spot potential trouble or even suggest improvements your horse - woman relationship. Cynthia Madden, Coordinator Office of Sponsored Programs & Research University of Nebraska at Omaha [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Dressage training for Fjords
This message is from: "Alison Barr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does anyone with experience in dressage and Fjords have any special advice about their training that is different from working with other horses? This is just my experience, but profesional trainers are a bad idea for fjords. Beleive me, I have nothing against them, and me and Sunny (my retired pony) learned allot fron them, but with Fj, it's another story. I have found that they seem to think that I'm a joke (ex: what the heck are you doing on that thing, and why don't you have a real horse?). I had one trainer laugh at me when I said I was getting a fjord, and another tell me I would have to decide between Fj and competing in anything besides games and driving (I haven't had a lesson from either since). I have found that your typical good quality instructor is best. They don't start pregudiced against him/her for being a Fjord. For any Professional instructors on the list, I apologise, maybe it's just the instructors I've had. I can't base everyone on this, it's just my experience.
Dressage training for Fjords
This message is from: Cynthia_Madden/OAA/UNO/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tank and I are getting serious about our dressage training this spring under saddle and in driving. My prior experience is with my Morgan and after many years of off and on work (forget winter training!) we are approaching second level. Tank is beginning to listen to leg pressure, but is not very sensitive ( a little Fjord horse owner sense of humor here). I am starting to ask him to soften his jaw more and bend a little (he doesn't like this!) I have to get after him a little more that I have. My driving instructor says he does have a good mouth. Does anyone with experience in dressage and Fjords have any special advice about their training that is different from working with other horses? Cynthia Madden, Coordinator Office of Sponsored Programs & Research University of Nebraska at Omaha
