Steffen works with a rider on a sensitive horse that was previously a jumper. With a quick horse, it is okay to go a little below tempo in the trot to start. He suggests going slightly forward and slightly back focusing on keeping the same frame and not getting tense in the bridle. They do an exercise where the rider does rising trot forward, sitting trot to bring her back, and then give the hands forward. They then progress to trot-halt transitions.
Up Next in Second Level
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Balancing a Strong, Hot Horse Part 2
They move into canter. On the circle they go forward a few strides and then back for a few strides. Steffen encourages the rider to work to develop a frame and tempo where she is able to soften the contact. Because the horse anticipates a flying change, they do slight counter canter and praise he...
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Balancing a Strong, Hot Horse Part 3
They finish the ride with trot work where they do a controlled lengthening on the long side or diagonal into a halt transition. Steffen reminds the rider to use the rein to bend or for a half halt, but not to let the horse pull on the reins. In addition, the horse has to settle in the halt and no...
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Warm-up to Improve the Connection
Laura rides her Arabian/Oldenberg mare that she has raised and trained herself. The mare has shown through Prix St. Georges but recently has been working more at the lower levels. The horse struggles the most with the connection because she can be busy in the mouth, hides from the connection and...
