Re: Lengthening stride / Eval results

2001-01-31 Thread Starfire Farm, LLC
This message is from: "Starfire Farm, LLC" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>




> OK Lauren I'll try ... here's what I've done. When training the lengthenings
> my instructor says at first just "think fast", ie give the aids to GO and he
> will figure it out. If he breaks to canter its no biggie, just bring him
> back right away and keep asking. You need to keep the contact with the bit,
> the horse will try to stretch way out and get on the forehand which is not
> what you want, so keep good contact and light squeezes with your leg, or
> touches with the whip (behind the saddle not in front). This works with my
> guy and we are starting to get really good steps. In working trot I never
> hold him back, working trot is his normal gait with lots of energy, just ask
> for MUCH MORE in the lengthening. Same for canter. Hope this helps some.
>

Hi Lauren,

I agree with Lori, just do it at the rising trot and don't ask for too much or
for a long time.  Be satisfied with little trys in the beginning, it will come
with time.  The power must come from behind, and it takes time to build that
muscle strength.  Sometimes it helps to ask after some canter work prior to
asking for lengthenings.  Also, pay close attention to the horse's rhythm while
you do this.  Any loss of rhythm is an indication of loss of balance.  Slow him
down and start again.  To help transfer the riding to driving, I use a voice aid
as I'm riding.  I'll say something like, "Trot on" in an energetic voice and 
make
a noise specific to that gait.  I try to get the horse to go from my voice
command eventually, as lots of folks out there use hissing and other sounds, and
your horse can think he's supposed to respond when he hears it.  Watch to be 
sure
that your horse is reaching underneath his body with his hind legs, and not
kicking his hind legs out behind him as you are asking for this work.  His hind
legs should be tracking straight, not spreading wide.  Spreading indicates a 
loss
of balance, also, and is incorrect.  Above all, take your time.  It will come.

Beth


--
Beth Beymer & Sandy North
Starfire Farm, Berthoud CO
http://www.starfirefarm.com






Re: Lengthening stride / Eval results

2001-01-31 Thread Mike May, Registrar NFHR

This message is from: "Mike May, Registrar NFHR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

At 04:48 PM 1/30/01 -0800, you wrote:

Eval Results
What really matters to me as a breeder is to see in the results of a
comformational evaluation. where a stallion or mare excells and where he has
something to be desired. So as not to breed two horses with the same area's
to be desired. Instead to breed to a improve certain qualities. No horse has
been judged at 100 %.

Wow. Mike you sure answer alot of questions fully and well. I would love to
see all the results on the nfhr web site.


Hopefully that will come some day.  It isn't an easy one to do though & 
just getting all of that data into the database takes a lot of time.




===

Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry
Mike May, Registrar
Voice 716-872-4114
FAX 716-787-0497

http://www.nfhr.com
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]





Re: Lengthening stride / Eval results

2001-01-30 Thread Lori Albrough
This message is from: Lori Albrough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

fjords wrote:
> 
> What I am hoping to discover is how I can train the difference in a trot, I
> understand a collected trot and working trot but to extend,  do I just give
> him more leg contact & more rein ?

OK Lauren I'll try ... here's what I've done. When training the lengthenings
my instructor says at first just "think fast", ie give the aids to GO and he
will figure it out. If he breaks to canter its no biggie, just bring him
back right away and keep asking. You need to keep the contact with the bit,
the horse will try to stretch way out and get on the forehand which is not
what you want, so keep good contact and light squeezes with your leg, or
touches with the whip (behind the saddle not in front). This works with my
guy and we are starting to get really good steps. In working trot I never
hold him back, working trot is his normal gait with lots of energy, just ask
for MUCH MORE in the lengthening. Same for canter. Hope this helps some.

Lori Albrough
Moorefield Ontario
http://www.bluebirdlane.com




Lengthening stride / Eval results

2001-01-30 Thread fjords
This message is from: "fjords" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

What I am hoping to discover is how I can train the difference in a trot, I
understand a collected trot and working trot but to extend,  do I just give
him more leg contact & more rein ? Also how will he understand the
diufference in buggy ie When there is no leg pressure? The horse I am
presently working with is Snowy's Cosmo, I  beleave he has a very good angle
to his shoulder. He defineatly does extend himself when trotting free in his
pasture.  Next? does all the same principals apply to an extended canter?
More Legs on? Taping the shoulder?  In a working  trot do you actually hold
him back so there is a more defineative difference?
 I am asking alot and totally appreciate all the input. Eventually We will
get it right. Oh but to get it like Dusty & Misha.  True Ambasitors of
fjords.

As for comformation and length of stride, Somehow I beleave that the shape
of the rump plays a larger role then given credit.

Eval Results
What really matters to me as a breeder is to see in the results of a
comformational evaluation. where a stallion or mare excells and where he has
something to be desired. So as not to breed two horses with the same area's
to be desired. Instead to breed to a improve certain qualities. No horse has
been judged at 100 %.

Wow. Mike you sure answer alot of questions fully and well. I would love to
see all the results on the nfhr web site.

Lauren Sellars
Snowy Mtn Fjords
Cawston B.C.
www.fjordhorse.net