Hi Megan, thanks :-) Do you mean the handheld target I use during the groundwork? It helps to give her guidance on where to go, though you do want to fade it out once they understand (she doesn't need it any more). You can find out more about using the target to teach the shoulders to move across, which is part of the leg yield, in this video: ua-cam.com/video/sMGRYuuHtFg/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ConnectionTraining I hope that helps to explain it.
Starting my R+ journey and finding it hard to keep weight of especially one of my horses, since it's hard to get that high energy work in. By the looks of it, in all different forums I'm now a part of, it seems to be an commom problem in the R + community. And since overweight is so dangerous and related to very serous issues for our precious ponies I think we should tackle it. Any tips? Feeding straw? Fun and positive cardio workouts?
Yes, it's a tricky issue with many horses and a growing problem throughout the horseworld. I have a few 'fatties' in my herd (horses prone to get too fat very easily!) and find the best approach is both diet/management and hacking. In the UK where I always had too much grass, I kept my horses on a track system and trickle-fed hay during the day, limiting their access to grass. Here in France, I don't have enough grass at the moment, which is a new problem for me but makes it easier to manage weight as I can control the hay I put out in the paddocks. (I'm actually trying to put weight onto one horse and one donkey at the mo, though the fatties are thriving!). When it comes to feeding, horses need almost constant access to forage and should never go for more than 3-4 hours without eating some roughage. There are loads of creative solutions to trickle hay feeders and maximising movement during turnout online if you start to search. In terms of training, my most important exercise for weight management and fitness is hacking out. I prioritise this with all my horses and, if they're worried about hacking, leading out in-hand is one of the things I'll prioritise training until they are happy to go out. I like to walk/run with my horses, but once they're confident to be ridden out you can start to cover the miles more easily and that's the best thing for fittening and weight management. I've always lived in hilly places, so I include a lot of hillwork for all my horses, which is brilliant for all of us. Exercise in an arena is great for suppling and strengthening (which is also important) but it's tricky to get them actually fit enough to lose weight without making it boring or just plain hard work (not very positive when we want them to enjoy it) unless you're doing regular jumping or more advanced dressage-type work. But even back when I was competing, I'd still build most of the fitness through hacking and hillwork. So, management and hacking out are how I manage it! Good luck!
Good job Heather ! Such a lucky horse 💞
I love this video! Could you explain the purpose of having the target on the ground for leg yielding?
Hi Megan, thanks :-) Do you mean the handheld target I use during the groundwork? It helps to give her guidance on where to go, though you do want to fade it out once they understand (she doesn't need it any more). You can find out more about using the target to teach the shoulders to move across, which is part of the leg yield, in this video: ua-cam.com/video/sMGRYuuHtFg/v-deo.html&ab_channel=ConnectionTraining I hope that helps to explain it.
Connection Training Thank you so much!
Starting my R+ journey and finding it hard to keep weight of especially one of my horses, since it's hard to get that high energy work in. By the looks of it, in all different forums I'm now a part of, it seems to be an commom problem in the R + community. And since overweight is so dangerous and related to very serous issues for our precious ponies I think we should tackle it. Any tips? Feeding straw? Fun and positive cardio workouts?
Yes, it's a tricky issue with many horses and a growing problem throughout the horseworld. I have a few 'fatties' in my herd (horses prone to get too fat very easily!) and find the best approach is both diet/management and hacking. In the UK where I always had too much grass, I kept my horses on a track system and trickle-fed hay during the day, limiting their access to grass. Here in France, I don't have enough grass at the moment, which is a new problem for me but makes it easier to manage weight as I can control the hay I put out in the paddocks. (I'm actually trying to put weight onto one horse and one donkey at the mo, though the fatties are thriving!). When it comes to feeding, horses need almost constant access to forage and should never go for more than 3-4 hours without eating some roughage. There are loads of creative solutions to trickle hay feeders and maximising movement during turnout online if you start to search.
In terms of training, my most important exercise for weight management and fitness is hacking out. I prioritise this with all my horses and, if they're worried about hacking, leading out in-hand is one of the things I'll prioritise training until they are happy to go out. I like to walk/run with my horses, but once they're confident to be ridden out you can start to cover the miles more easily and that's the best thing for fittening and weight management. I've always lived in hilly places, so I include a lot of hillwork for all my horses, which is brilliant for all of us. Exercise in an arena is great for suppling and strengthening (which is also important) but it's tricky to get them actually fit enough to lose weight without making it boring or just plain hard work (not very positive when we want them to enjoy it) unless you're doing regular jumping or more advanced dressage-type work. But even back when I was competing, I'd still build most of the fitness through hacking and hillwork. So, management and hacking out are how I manage it! Good luck!
What are your cues for both shoulder over and leg yield? Verbal or are you using leg aids as well?