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QUESTION & ANSWER FORUM: Long Back and Too Light?
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QUESTION:
Hello. I came across your web page and I thought I would get your opinion on a training matter that is new to me. I have a thoroughbred mare with a relatively long back and short croup, typical of her breed. She was "back yard" bred, raised, and lightly raced. She was know for throwing the jockeys off however, I find her very easy to ride.
What I would like your opinion on is actually two things:
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First, she has a long back and I would like some suggestions on exercises to help
strengthen her back. Currently, I longe her on the side of a slight hill at walk and trot. When I ride her, I work on circles, spirals (leg-yielding), transitions (between gates and lengthening & shortening stride), and trot poles. I don't get the opportunity to work with her as much as I would like, however I would like to take her training as far as I can. I believe she could be competitive through second level considering she has three well balanced and correct gaits.
The second thing I would like your opinion on is the fact that she is very light in the bridle. So light in fact that she is almost behind the bit. For this reason I ride her using mostly my seat and leg. She carries her head correctly and I use a medium weight hollow mouth bit to avoid any evasion of the bit. It isn't that she is trying to escape the bit, but she responds to the slightest pressure too the point that light rein contact is almost too much.
The reason I'm asking your opinion on these matters is that I have had wonderful training in classical horsemanship. However, I either rode big heavy warmbloods or back yard, grade horses. Both of which needed a lot of encouraging to get "on the bit." I have ask another trainer (former olympian) the same questions: the first question he said to ride up large hills at a slow walk; and the second question he said that it was good for her because arching her neck and coming down she is picking up her back and coming round. I have always started horse "long and low" so I understand this concept. Since I'm training her on my own I would like more than
one professional's opinion on the matters.
Thank you for your time.
ANSWER:
Hi,
The best way to strengthen the horse's back is to ride her in a fashion
that makes her lift it, in other words her hind legs have to be brought
underneath the center of gravity. It is the support of the hindquarters that
raises the back. In terms of exercises, you are already doing all the right
things. I would probably add some shoulder-in and counter-shoulder-in at the
walk and the trot, which engages the inside hind leg more. The increased
engagement of the hind legs will in turn strengthen the back more as well.
Riding up and down hills, as your trainer suggested also helps to strengthen
the hind legs and back. Cavaletti work and low, gymnastic jumping (with and
without rider) is another alternative.
As far as the rein contact is concerned, it is difficult to tell from your
description whether the horse is in fact coming behind the bit. Lightness as
a result of balance and self carriage is one of our highest goals. False
lightness that comes from the horse sucking back behind the rider's aids can
create dangerous situations. One way of determining whether she still is on
the aids is to let her stretch forward and down. If she follows your hand
all the way to the ground, the rein contact is most likely good. If she does
not follow your releasing hand, she is probably behind the aids. Another way
to make that determination is to check the responsiveness to the leg. If you
can get a lengthening of the stride without delay, and if you can easily
energize the gait with your driving aids, the lightness is still honest. If
the horse delays her reaction, or if she argues with your leg, it is a sign
that the lightness is deceptive.
- Thomas Ritter
Question & Answer Forum
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Last Update: January 13, 2007