Amelia, this is probably my favourite video of yours because you hit so many good points. Especially 8:33 say it again and for those in the back. and being behind the vertical are not the same thing and having a horse's nose poked out sometimes can't always be priority. You're right, we can't always be show riding. Sometimes we need to forget about the front end and get that back and if that means horsey curls a bit, right now forget about it and worry about the hind end and back. Thanks for a fantastic video and thanks to Jennifer for asking the question and being so brave by sending in a video.
Any horse BTV is on the forehand. Watch Amelias horse when he goes BTV, he takes significantly more weight on his front feet. Science proves this over and over but competition dressage continues to reward over bent necks. The horse suffers. Lateral suppleness will lend itself the longitudinal flexion when the horse is ready.
Oh my goodness!! I LOVE THIS!! Oddly, my name is Jenifer and my mare and I struggle with the same as Jennifer who sent the video. My instructor has me doing all that you demo’d Amelia, but to hear and watch you do it, I feel I have had an epiphany!! Can’t wait to ride tomorrow with the new “ visual” in my brain!! Thank you!!!❤🐴
I'm also a dressage instructor and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate and like your videos. I have encouraged several of my students to watch them. Always helpful to hear and see the same instruction from others. Anyway I totally agree with encouraging the horses head to be flexible and it is fine for them to be behind the vertical in training phase. Thank you
Really, really good stuff!! My instructor has me doing this with my hot Arabian and it has made all the difference!! I had gone too far with keeping my hands still all the time. And yes, always always leg. Rounder and more under with his hind legs now. Love the turn on the forehand demo Amelia. Love how you get MOVEMENT - going to work on that.
Thanks great video. I am working on getting my 11 yr. Old ottb rounder. We have improved our contact and at times mostly at the walk I can get him round. Will keep doing the exercises showed our progress is baby steps but so positive!
My horse was stiff with no explanation for years and it progressively got worse. It wasn't until I sent him for a full bone scan followed by rads that I got answers. So sometimes you have to dig deep when the basic vet, saddle fitter extra can't identify things.
had the same issue - had him for just under a year and I thought him coming above the bot was just a training issue at first. We finally found what he had articular changes in his neck and SI at only 7 years of age. Good training and riding (and I mean right for the circumstances and situation) are essential, but so is having a full understanding of what is going on with the horse physically which might be causing discomfort and therefore, stiffness. Not always easy to get to the root cause. Well done and thank you to Amelia for the practical tips :)
Excellent video Amelia, positively reinforces the things we’ve been working on to continue to relax and loosen up Millie, our 21yr old PSG schoolmaster. She especially loves the neck stretch treats! I can’t believe how much it’s improved her flexibility. Love her. Thx for all your support Amelia🙏💝💪
Love this video!!! Thank you!!! It helps as well to answer as it looks like people like to comment always "your horse is BTV" without looking at the overall motion of the body. Being BTV with only few degrees!! Which i do not think it is a drama as well!!! Thank you for your precious video dear Amelia and Happy New Year to you and all the team and all the horses !!
Will work on this today ! Thank you for many new things I learned from this video. Kind of giving permission to take hands wider for moments to get him on the bit and for even going for more roundness than usual. And I never want to feel like my horse swallowed a broomstick again !!
Hi Amelia, would it be possible to do a video on getting and then maintaining even and consistent contact? I’ve been trying this young unestablished horse and it’s made me realise how busy and uneven my hands are
Great video! These are all the things a young horse does not know and most beginner amateur riders don’t know either. A horse with it’s nose in the air needs to go right back to these basic training techniques, because it may never have experienced them to begin with, so how else would you expect a horse to react without knowing this, brace, tug of war/pull, hide behind the vertical especially when faced hands trying counter his every move get them on the bit. I wish I had been started here, so that I knew the conversation the trainer had with the horse to teach the horse about what the reins/bit mean in relation to his body and neck and mouth. It is assumed by most beginners the horse knows this much or more than they do, but starting here doesn’t hurt anything at all even with experienced horse that will go on the bit with good hands and good riding. This is where I started with my young Arabian and it made a huge difference and I started last winter on the ground in the barn isle over the winter. Then just like in the video in the saddle. I still could do more I see from watching this. This is so good for the horse rather than pulling all the time and see sawing their head down. This connects the reins to the backend of the horse, rather than create a head set.
I think focusing on the head and neck for this problem is the wrong approach. The horse does not need to reach around like that to be flexible. Carrot stretches are good but done on the ground without the weight of a rider is best. Doing it like that from the saddle leads to problems and focusing on the wrong end. I do not like trainers who use the word "show frame". To me that says they do not focus on correct training. There are levels of engagement which result in a "rounder" frame. The horse in the original video is not engaged. So the question is why? The rider says she does shoulder-in. But a horse with such a poor connection is not set up to do a proper shoulder-in. First get the horse engaged using exercises that alternate bend. Transitions correctly done, walk-halt trot-canter will add engagement. But many of these will need a more knowledgeable rider to help the horse. The rider is not a bad rider but she is not yet at a place to aide the horse in the way it needs. Bending the horse's neck in this situation is more likely to result in a disassociation of the neck to the body. She is better off working on a circle alternating inside to outside bend. Or doing spiral in and out pushing the horse into the outside rein.
As above your comment supports the steps to be obtained. The rider needs your approach. How hard is it in this world of communication to find the best simple steps to success. My teacher always taught me to do turn on the forehand slowmy. At the walk speed there can add torsion to joints if done more quickly than from halt, one step at a time. I like the sense of reins in the hands. Our body stiffnedd can add to horse stiffness in an instant. Breathe and soften, do things with quality and praise. Stay well.🌹
I love your explanation videos, but i feel like in this one you mainly focus on the horses head whereas the focus should be on his body. You can see quite clearly see in her video the horse is not in front of her leg and you cant work on his frame when he isn’t going forward. The correct frame will come when his body is correct. I got the feeling your tips are great but are more for suppleness in a further stage then she is showing atm.
Greetings from Spain! I LOVE your videos and have learned a lot from them. Thank you 😊 One suggestion I have is to try to define the terms better. For example, you mention many times "make your horse rounder" or "behind the vertical" but to a beginner or non-native English speaker it is difficult to know what you mean. Perhaps you may want to restate terms/concepts using different words or with comparison pictures (eg, stiff neck vs supple neck).
I have a 12 yr mare (Finnhorse). I've had her for a year and finally now she is starting to get more round- in walking and cantering especiall, trotting is hardest. This only happened when I switched to bitless bridle. She has a super sensitive mouth. One rein stop works fine. It's mostly in her head I think. She was neglected for years and you can still see passive avoidance behaviour in stressful situations.
Thank you for sharing this. Do you think there's any connection between roundness and adult-onset wobblers secondary to C2-C6 fasciclular arthritis? Seeing this through a veterinarian's eyes.
I agree with all these tips you suggest, but I have a question of something my eyes were drawn to.. and I am asking this question for my own knowledge! What I see is: Jennifer looks like she is maintaining a forward impulsion (especially in trot) but at the same time struggling to find roundness and a supple feeling. What I see with your demonstration is the impulsion ‘fits the roundness/ work’ necessary… So my question for my own knowledge is: Would it help Jennifer to slow her trot (only by even milliseconds of the impulsion) to allow the horse to strengthen it’s carrying ability in the hind end while at the same time putting to use all of your suggestions? FYI: I am not suggesting to allow her horse to become sluggish; rather, only to ask him to be more responsible for carrying himself. Not sure if this makes sense with Jennifer’s circumstance or if it would distract from what you are trying to demonstrate with this video 🙏
Is there anything that the rider can do to help the horse bend? I’m an amateur rider in the hunter ring, and the lesson horse I ride has a VERY straight neck. I’m not sure if he’s stiff or if it’s my riding. I can’t do a lot with him since he’s not mine, but are the any tips that you have for me that might help him bend easier? Super helpful video by the way! I can’t wait for the day when I have a horse that I can try all of you tips out on! ♥️♥️♥️
Loved all the videos to combine for these tips and exercises. I would love to see another video from Jennifer after she's had some time to work on these exercises. Also, I'm curious, would adding some hill work in help strengthen the back end more too? Thanks so much.
Hi Amelia, this is exactly my issue! I cannot scramble eggs!! When trainer rides my horse she is perfect. When I ride her head is up and I struggle to make her round. Now trainer is having me use side reins. My horse is way more advanced than I am. I watch your videos everyday and love the Academy. Thank you!
Jane savoie has a great video on the aids and exercise for this issue the video is called the collecting half halt. Is your trainer having you ride while using side reins while not on the lunge line?
@@kmiklaszewski Yes, she has the side reins on throughout lesson. My horse does not have them on while I lunge her. I am new to dressage, 1 year, so not sure about this. I have had my horse 1 year and trainer has been training her for 5 years. I will check out Jane Savoie video. Thanks for your advice.
My mare is pretty stiff and when I try to round her she will do it but she braces and runs off. Would you prioritize correcting the speed (i.e. half halt) or the bracing (i.e. let her be too forward but try to get hind end driving with legs)? I spent way too long trying to fix this yesterday to no avail.
Transitions help. I see the nose tied to the saddle excersie overused e.g. trainers will have a rider do it over and over which is really damaging. Really, imo having a stiff horse, turnout, riding a horse on varied terrain is what loosens and conditions a horse. Instead of a rider warming up in the ring, why not get out of the ring and warm up on the property and do transitions etc there onvaried terrain. Finish up in the ring with a willing refreshed horse . Too many horses never get out of the ring.
I agree, but it also depends on the horse. My boy is all about being round and flexible outside but he gets easily bored in the arena if there's no poles/cones/tarp/etc to look at, so it takes a good 30-40min to make him bend to my inside leg when we do dressage, because he's just not in the mood. But one major thing you said is true: doing the same exercises over and over isn't good. Having fun is the key 😁
I am new to horses and am learning a lot by just watching your videos.( this is probably a stupid question but is there anything on his front hooves?) do horses have boots?
hey there! That's great feedback. This video is several years old now, and I like to think that I'm better at being on camera, definitely a skill you have to develop :)
And also Jennifer, you can do all these exercises from the ground at the walk. Shaping the neck and having them relax through the ribs and cross over behind, can all be done on the ground as part of your warm-up. As this teaches the horse what you are asking it to do while you are riding. Preparing it to succeed. You can even just use a halter and lead line for this along with the reward of the carrot when doing the stretches. I chunk the carrots into 1 1/2 inch chunks. They can still smell it, and will still be willing to try the stretches. I also, to encourage the horse for later, when you have to do free walks and they have to stretch down and out, I will incorporate that exercise as well. Which also helps strengthen and lengthen the top line muscle. Good Luck. Best Wishes and Stay Safe Amelia Newcomb and Jennifer. From Ontario, Canada, Jenn.
To better illustrate problems and solutions, it might be interesting to see you ride a horse that truly has difficulty with the task at hand, perhaps one supplied by one of your students if your horses don't exhibit the issue well.
This was so helpful! Thank you Jennifer for putting yourself out there so we all can learn. I do my carrot stretches after I ride. I am going to add them to my before as well. I am also going to make sure Mirage is more responsive to my leg in the "turn of the forehand " exercises. Thanks again Amelia. You keep me going and you keep dressage fun.!
You might wan t mention that if you're having major issues getting him to unlock, the horse should be checked by a vet and chiropractor.= to determine if it's a pain issue.
I guess I'll be one of the few nay-sayers (haha....) to this video, as it's mostly full of positive reviews. I'm sure this comment won't get well received, either, but something has to be said. This rider makes a massive mistake in conflating roundness with neck and head position. Roundness and proper self-carriage has almost nothing to do with neck position. A very high or very low neck can impact a horse's ability to be round, but the head and neck do not by themselves control it. It creates the visual APPEARANCE of roundness. It is NOT roundness. If you watch closely, you can actually see the horse actively lose roundness as this rider drives his head toward the neck. The horse tenses through the neck and pole, breaks at the pole, and the forward energy is broken through this pinpoint turn instead of flowing through and recycling. Luckily, this horse already has a good topline and can manage keeping the momentum as best he can but the horse and rider are in total discord on their goals. Luckily for most dressage riders, their horses tend to have good toplines. This is because dressage tends to insist upon a good topline due to so much topline work - transitions, uphill, collection, shoulder-in, etc. Because of this natural chain of events, dressage riders seem to assume that, therefore, they must know how to create roundness. And they think that, because these methods are how they ride differently from their friends' horses who don't have roundness or good topline, that this is therefore how you build topline. A + B = C. Every good rider I've ever met has told me the same thing when it comes to building a true topline through useful techniques - work from the back forward. A horse cannot achieve a good topline if their hind end is weak, if they can't lift themselves and carry themselves from behind. Once you have the hind end engaged, it naturally starts working and lifting the core as they get more uphill. From there, you can bring the head and neck into a position that HELPS this flow of energy, but does NOT enable or disable it on its own. I opened this video hoping to find some useful ideas for my horse, who because at the moment isn't being worked as often as he should and therefore has low topline muscle mass, could use some useful techniques to ride with an already weak topline in mind. but I'm deeply disappointed. Applying these techniques would only result in a horse who not only has a weak topline, but is being squished into this miserable position that actively works against his own engagement.
Thanks so much Amelia, so many brilliant tips & advice, I ride in a bit less bridle which I hope won’t complicate things but my mare is very supple so can’t wait to give it a go! Your videos are amazing, thanks again!
Hi! I have a question, I am an equestrian and I take horse back riding lessons once a week. I ride a pony because I have only been riding since May, I have progressed alot. I also don't own a pony/horse so I don't train them. The pony I ride canters REALLY fast and im always panicing in the canter. Have any tips? Your videos help so much!
Unfortunately its has alot of to do with horses self.in usa amateur people not always have access to the "right "dressage horses which is goes on the bit naturally.,Their joints,back,neck,hind legs is very nice and flexible ,their mind is willing to work,in usa-horses which alot amateurs can afford, have alot those thoroughbred types bloodlines,which a hell to make round,they are stiff like boards,yhey are not willing to do dressage,even they are looking elegant long legged animals,and frequently amateur people getting upset and blame themselves not be able to ride like a good riders,without understanding those "good riders" simply have" right horses" and not sweating for hour and half a day to make horse round
Of course purpose bred horses for dressage do have the basics to make these moves. But the thoroughbred is often taught to race and are stiff due to what they have been trained in. All of these exercises most especially the ground ones can make a massive difference and I think that what Amelia has shown gives everyone something they can do on a regular basis that is on the ground that will help change the suppleness of the horse even if your riding is not at that level yet. Thanks Amelia... I am looking at this to teach my 15 year old son who is riding an OTTB that we rescued as a 3 year old. She is a stunning little horse that tries her hardest and puts out some really great dressage moves now as a 6 year old.
Thank you Jennifer and Amelia! This was timely for me! I worked on the exercise at the walk (given the winter weather back East) and I found them very helpful!
Excellent also I've done groundwork suppling which has been more beneficial for my 5yr old tb mare , she's so soft now it's lovely , only a few ounces in my hands at most 😀
Amelia, thank you. Excellent advices. After watching the other one you shared I looked for some more of yours regarding horse being over bit, stiff and not willing to round. As always you are providing so many helpful hints and suggestions. Need to try your recommendations, since I am struggling with young horse which is stiff and trying to stay over bit in the beginning of our training.
Hello! I enjoyed this video!! But my horse almost does the opposite, he over rounds himself and almost pulls his nose downward into a downhill frame, it makes him stiff and hard to ride, I’m not sure how to bring him ‘up’ into a nice normal round contact.
omg this was amazing i actually practiced this and it worked !! most i have watched about roundness hasn't worked but this did i had a much rounder horse Thanks you Amelia xx
I think Jennifer has a decent riders position but the stiffness in the horse makes her stiff in her upper body especially at the trot. This snowballs on itself. I think in this case it would benefit her more to place her hands on the skin of the horse instead of allowing the horse's stiffness to make her hands rise and fall when she does rising trot. That way her elbows and ribcage would unstiffen. Her hands in front of the saddle on the horse's skin would insist that her elbows open and close as she posted. Low and wide can be ok for someone with your experience with nuance and intonation training, but dangerous for a rider without. So many horses (more often inexperienced eventers and combined training riders who find Dressage a necessary evil) that I have to retrain have been ridden with wide hands that I have found to be detrimental when the rider does not understand feel and training like you understand it. Teaching this horse what is expected of it from the ground 1st and then going back to riding it with afforementioned mounted conditions I can just about guarantee would help. I believe an experienced groun in hand person would be the best 1st responder. I liked all the rest of your suggestions.
Thank you so much for the advice! It really helps me as I am struggling with the same problem in riding! Thank you for these helpful videos with clear instructions on how to improve, they have helped me a lot! Thanks again 😄
I want to ask... why is there so much emphasis on horses being "round" and "On the bit" etc. I don't see horses walking around the paddock naturally in these positions and to me, it seems uncomfortable for the horse and not natural? why is it such a big deal? why can't the horse just move around "normal" I do realize that with a rider on, balance is difference than free in the paddock, but to expect the horse to constantly be in this shape, seems almost unreasonable to me? I wish we were allowed to just let them relax!
Great question! Roundness is important because when the horse is round (engaging hind end and abdominals, lifting their back) it's healthier and easier for them to carry our weight. This video might help you: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/why-is-roundness-important/
I live in a rural area and no one else in the surrounding are rides dressage. I can’t find any trainer to come to me and I can spend 5-6 hours round time going to and from a lesson. I have a pixio system now in hopes of doing a remote lesson. Can anyone tell me of a coach that will do some lessons via the computor remotely!!??? It helps me tremendously. Depending on this dressage community to advise.
Amelia, this is probably my favourite video of yours because you hit so many good points. Especially 8:33 say it again and for those in the back. and being behind the vertical are not the same thing and having a horse's nose poked out sometimes can't always be priority. You're right, we can't always be show riding. Sometimes we need to forget about the front end and get that back and if that means horsey curls a bit, right now forget about it and worry about the hind end and back. Thanks for a fantastic video and thanks to Jennifer for asking the question and being so brave by sending in a video.
Any horse BTV is on the forehand. Watch Amelias horse when he goes BTV, he takes significantly more weight on his front feet. Science proves this over and over but competition dressage continues to reward over bent necks. The horse suffers. Lateral suppleness will lend itself the longitudinal flexion when the horse is ready.
What I do in a week with my Horses | Equestrian - th-cam.com/video/4ZvFCzjZL-8/w-d-xo.html !!!!!!!
Oh my goodness!! I LOVE THIS!! Oddly, my name is Jenifer and my mare and I struggle with the same as Jennifer who sent the video. My instructor has me doing all that you demo’d Amelia, but to hear and watch you do it, I feel I have had an epiphany!! Can’t wait to ride tomorrow with the new “ visual” in my brain!! Thank you!!!❤🐴
That makes me so happy to hear!! Let me know how it goes!!
I'm also a dressage instructor and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate and like your videos. I have encouraged several of my students to watch them. Always helpful to hear and see the same instruction from others.
Anyway I totally agree with encouraging the horses head to be flexible and it is fine for them to be behind the vertical in training phase. Thank you
Really, really good stuff!! My instructor has me doing this with my hot Arabian and it has made all the difference!! I had gone too far with keeping my hands still all the time. And yes, always always leg. Rounder and more under with his hind legs now. Love the turn on the forehand demo Amelia. Love how you get MOVEMENT - going to work on that.
Thanks great video. I am working on getting my 11 yr. Old ottb rounder. We have improved our contact and at times mostly at the walk I can get him round. Will keep doing the exercises showed our progress is baby steps but so positive!
It’s really helpful to see an amateur rider and then advice from you forthat rider and horse . Please do more of these.
Ok!! Will do!
Agree I really love the way she can break down each of the steps with clear instructions
My horse was stiff with no explanation for years and it progressively got worse. It wasn't until I sent him for a full bone scan followed by rads that I got answers. So sometimes you have to dig deep when the basic vet, saddle fitter extra can't identify things.
had the same issue - had him for just under a year and I thought him coming above the bot was just a training issue at first. We finally found what he had articular changes in his neck and SI at only 7 years of age. Good training and riding (and I mean right for the circumstances and situation) are essential, but so is having a full understanding of what is going on with the horse physically which might be causing discomfort and therefore, stiffness. Not always easy to get to the root cause. Well done and thank you to Amelia for the practical tips :)
@@claireazzopardi8892 dang it, sorry to hear you had a similar experience. Horses are so very complicated!!!
Excellent video Amelia, positively reinforces the things we’ve been working on to continue to relax and loosen up Millie, our 21yr old PSG schoolmaster. She especially loves the neck stretch treats! I can’t believe how much it’s improved her flexibility. Love her. Thx for all your support Amelia🙏💝💪
Love this video!!! Thank you!!! It helps as well to answer as it looks like people like to comment always "your horse is BTV" without looking at the overall motion of the body. Being BTV with only few degrees!! Which i do not think it is a drama as well!!! Thank you for your precious video dear Amelia and Happy New Year to you and all the team and all the horses !!
Will work on this today ! Thank you for many new things I learned from this video. Kind of giving permission to take hands wider for moments to get him on the bit and for even going for more roundness than usual. And I never want to feel like my horse swallowed a broomstick again !!
Yes!! Haha. For sure!
Yes, I liked that too - and the how to just show them what you want.... thanks heaps.
Your explanations and videos are very helpful in describing the processes and movements. Thanks cindy
Thanks so much for these ideas for suppling your horse because I have exactly this problem!
Thank you so much. Your comments are very helpful !
You're very welcome.
This was excellent advice! My horse definitely swallowed a broomstick. I can’t wait to ride her later and try these out! Xx
So incredibly helpful for my young ottb training who is very stiff until I do these different riding techniques. Thank you so much!
30 Days to Round will be coming this FALL! don't miss it!!! IT is Transformative!
Thanks again, it’s great how you brake it down into smaller steps.
great, I will try all this on my horse who is stiff going left at trot and canter, thank you! great stuff.
Hi Amelia, would it be possible to do a video on getting and then maintaining even and consistent contact? I’ve been trying this young unestablished horse and it’s made me realise how busy and uneven my hands are
Great video! These are all the things a young horse does not know and most beginner amateur riders don’t know either. A horse with it’s nose in the air needs to go right back to these basic training techniques, because it may never have experienced them to begin with, so how else would you expect a horse to react without knowing this, brace, tug of war/pull, hide behind the vertical especially when faced hands trying counter his every move get them on the bit. I wish I had been started here, so that I knew the conversation the trainer had with the horse to teach the horse about what the reins/bit mean in relation to his body and neck and mouth. It is assumed by most beginners the horse knows this much or more than they do, but starting here doesn’t hurt anything at all even with experienced horse that will go on the bit with good hands and good riding. This is where I started with my young Arabian and it made a huge difference and I started last winter on the ground in the barn isle over the winter. Then just like in the video in the saddle. I still could do more I see from watching this. This is so good for the horse rather than pulling all the time and see sawing their head down. This connects the reins to the backend of the horse, rather than create a head set.
I think focusing on the head and neck for this problem is the wrong approach. The horse does not need to reach around like that to be flexible. Carrot stretches are good but done on the ground without the weight of a rider is best. Doing it like that from the saddle leads to problems and focusing on the wrong end. I do not like trainers who use the word "show frame". To me that says they do not focus on correct training. There are levels of engagement which result in a "rounder" frame. The horse in the original video is not engaged. So the question is why? The rider says she does shoulder-in. But a horse with such a poor connection is not set up to do a proper shoulder-in. First get the horse engaged using exercises that alternate bend. Transitions correctly done, walk-halt trot-canter will add engagement. But many of these will need a more knowledgeable rider to help the horse. The rider is not a bad rider but she is not yet at a place to aide the horse in the way it needs. Bending the horse's neck in this situation is more likely to result in a disassociation of the neck to the body. She is better off working on a circle alternating inside to outside bend. Or doing spiral in and out pushing the horse into the outside rein.
My coach gets me to do this as you have described on the circle spiralling in & out on both reins.
As above your comment supports the steps to be obtained. The rider needs your approach.
How hard is it in this world of communication to find the best simple steps to success.
My teacher always taught me to do turn on the forehand slowmy. At the walk speed there can add torsion to joints if done more quickly than from halt, one step at a time.
I like the sense of reins in the hands. Our body stiffnedd can add to horse stiffness in an instant. Breathe and soften, do things with quality and praise. Stay well.🌹
Thank you Amelia! Reguards from Sweden. 😃
Though I'm a wester rider and I know the differences your videos a very helpful for us (horse and rider) in our daily exercise routine. Thank you.
Yes!! For sure this also applies to Western!
This was super helpful to see both videos thank you so much and great explanation!!
I love your explanation videos, but i feel like in this one you mainly focus on the horses head whereas the focus should be on his body. You can see quite clearly see in her video the horse is not in front of her leg and you cant work on his frame when he isn’t going forward. The correct frame will come when his body is correct. I got the feeling your tips are great but are more for suppleness in a further stage then she is showing atm.
amen
Hi. Extremely helpful as always, thanks Amelia! Could you pls also explain how to develop roundness in a young/green horse? Thank you
Greetings from Spain! I LOVE your videos and have learned a lot from them. Thank you 😊 One suggestion I have is to try to define the terms better. For example, you mention many times "make your horse rounder" or "behind the vertical" but to a beginner or non-native English speaker it is difficult to know what you mean. Perhaps you may want to restate terms/concepts using different words or with comparison pictures (eg, stiff neck vs supple neck).
Thank you for the suggestions!!!
I have a 12 yr mare (Finnhorse). I've had her for a year and finally now she is starting to get more round- in walking and cantering especiall, trotting is hardest.
This only happened when I switched to bitless bridle. She has a super sensitive mouth.
One rein stop works fine. It's mostly in her head I think. She was neglected for years and you can still see passive avoidance behaviour in stressful situations.
Very applicable to my horse!
😍 Thank you sooo much. So helpful. You make the best videos. 👍🏻👌🏻Greetings from Germany.
Yay!! Thanks! Glad you like it!
Thank you for sharing this. Do you think there's any connection between roundness and adult-onset wobblers secondary to C2-C6 fasciclular arthritis? Seeing this through a veterinarian's eyes.
So helpful and incredibly clear information.
Thank you
i have GIRAFFE horse this will help so much!
I agree with all these tips you suggest, but I have a question of something my eyes were drawn to..
and I am asking this question for my own knowledge!
What I see is: Jennifer looks like she is maintaining a forward impulsion (especially in trot) but at the same time struggling to find roundness and a supple feeling.
What I see with your demonstration is the impulsion ‘fits the roundness/ work’ necessary…
So my question for my own knowledge is: Would it help Jennifer to slow her trot (only by even milliseconds of the impulsion) to allow the horse to strengthen it’s carrying ability in the hind end while at the same time putting to use all of your suggestions?
FYI: I am not suggesting to allow her horse to become sluggish; rather, only to ask him to be more responsible for carrying himself.
Not sure if this makes sense with Jennifer’s circumstance or if it would distract from what you are trying to demonstrate with this video 🙏
I’m trying to find your video on how to get your horse to be more uphill and get him more on his back haunches.. where is it?
Is there anything that the rider can do to help the horse bend? I’m an amateur rider in the hunter ring, and the lesson horse I ride has a VERY straight neck. I’m not sure if he’s stiff or if it’s my riding. I can’t do a lot with him since he’s not mine, but are the any tips that you have for me that might help him bend easier?
Super helpful video by the way! I can’t wait for the day when I have a horse that I can try all of you tips out on! ♥️♥️♥️
I hope Jennifer lets us know how these tips benefitted, or not< her horse.
Loved all the videos to combine for these tips and exercises. I would love to see another video from Jennifer after she's had some time to work on these exercises. Also, I'm curious, would adding some hill work in help strengthen the back end more too? Thanks so much.
Hi Amelia, this is exactly my issue! I cannot scramble eggs!! When trainer rides my horse she is perfect. When I ride her head is up and I struggle to make her round. Now trainer is having me use side reins. My horse is way more advanced than I am. I watch your videos everyday and love the Academy. Thank you!
Jane savoie has a great video on the aids and exercise for this issue the video is called the collecting half halt. Is your trainer having you ride while using side reins while not on the lunge line?
@@kmiklaszewski Yes, she has the side reins on throughout lesson. My horse does not have them on while I lunge her. I am new to dressage, 1 year, so not sure about this. I have had my horse 1 year and trainer has been training her for 5 years. I will check out Jane Savoie video. Thanks for your advice.
My mare is pretty stiff and when I try to round her she will do it but she braces and runs off. Would you prioritize correcting the speed (i.e. half halt) or the bracing (i.e. let her be too forward but try to get hind end driving with legs)? I spent way too long trying to fix this yesterday to no avail.
Excellent demonstration! Thank you!
OMG! So many great ideas! 🥰
What I do in a week with my Horses | Equestrian - th-cam.com/video/4ZvFCzjZL-8/w-d-xo.html !!!!!!!
Awesome thank you
When I shorten my reins, my horse accelerated - do you have any tips for that at all?
Check out my new program. It will help you solve this: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/30-days-to-round/
Perfect ❤
thanks!
Transitions help. I see the nose tied to the saddle excersie overused e.g. trainers will have a rider do it over and over which is really damaging. Really, imo having a stiff horse, turnout, riding a horse on varied terrain is what loosens and conditions a horse. Instead of a rider warming up in the ring, why not get out of the ring and warm up on the property and do transitions etc there onvaried terrain. Finish up in the ring with a willing refreshed horse . Too many horses never get out of the ring.
I agree, but it also depends on the horse. My boy is all about being round and flexible outside but he gets easily bored in the arena if there's no poles/cones/tarp/etc to look at, so it takes a good 30-40min to make him bend to my inside leg when we do dressage, because he's just not in the mood. But one major thing you said is true: doing the same exercises over and over isn't good. Having fun is the key 😁
I am new to horses and am learning a lot by just watching your videos.( this is probably a stupid question but is there anything on his front hooves?) do horses have boots?
no such thing as a stupid question! And yes, my horse has bell boots and wraps on his legs :)
Great info… would be great if you could look at the camera rather than off to the side like your talking to someone else rather than your viewers.
hey there! That's great feedback. This video is several years old now, and I like to think that I'm better at being on camera, definitely a skill you have to develop :)
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage you have great content and presence
Not "rounder" but "collected", no?
Thank you.
Roundness and Collection are connected (ie you can't have collection without roundness), but you don't necessarily need collection for roundness :)
Bullshit!! The nose has to be in front of the vertical ! Poor horse
What I do in a week with my Horses | Equestrian - th-cam.com/video/4ZvFCzjZL-8/w-d-xo.html !!!!!!!
@@msgpoloeventing it‘s Not my intention to blame you , but this image of rounder rounder rounder does harm your horse .
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a rider? Take this FREE assessment and find out!
And also Jennifer, you can do all these exercises from the ground at the walk. Shaping the neck and having them relax through the ribs and cross over behind, can all be done on the ground as part of your warm-up. As this teaches the horse what you are asking it to do while you are riding. Preparing it to succeed. You can even just use a halter and lead line for this along with the reward of the carrot when doing the stretches. I chunk the carrots into 1 1/2 inch chunks. They can still smell it, and will still be willing to try the stretches. I also, to encourage the horse for later, when you have to do free walks and they have to stretch down and out, I will incorporate that exercise as well. Which also helps strengthen and lengthen the top line muscle. Good Luck. Best Wishes and Stay Safe Amelia Newcomb and Jennifer. From Ontario, Canada, Jenn.
Thank you Amelia, I will watch this again before my ride tomorrow.
Very helpful! I struggle with the same issues with one of my ponies. ❤
watching you make these videos NEEDS to be a routine for me ❤️
I agree I watch video then ride trying keep all the tips in mind...
To better illustrate problems and solutions, it might be interesting to see you ride a horse that truly has difficulty with the task at hand, perhaps one supplied by one of your students if your horses don't exhibit the issue well.
This was so helpful! Thank you Jennifer for putting yourself out there so we all can learn. I do my carrot stretches after I ride. I am going to add them to my before as well. I am also going to make sure Mirage is more responsive to my leg in the "turn of the forehand " exercises. Thanks again Amelia. You keep me going and you keep dressage fun.!
Yay!! Super! And yes we do this for fun!
Thanks Jennifer for sending that video in. Tks Amelia for a great video to help us all !
You might wan t mention that if you're having major issues getting him to unlock, the horse should be checked by a vet and chiropractor.= to determine if it's a pain issue.
Yes. For sure. She mentioned that she had him already checked by the vet and Physio. But thanks for pointing this out!
I guess I'll be one of the few nay-sayers (haha....) to this video, as it's mostly full of positive reviews. I'm sure this comment won't get well received, either, but something has to be said.
This rider makes a massive mistake in conflating roundness with neck and head position. Roundness and proper self-carriage has almost nothing to do with neck position. A very high or very low neck can impact a horse's ability to be round, but the head and neck do not by themselves control it. It creates the visual APPEARANCE of roundness. It is NOT roundness.
If you watch closely, you can actually see the horse actively lose roundness as this rider drives his head toward the neck. The horse tenses through the neck and pole, breaks at the pole, and the forward energy is broken through this pinpoint turn instead of flowing through and recycling. Luckily, this horse already has a good topline and can manage keeping the momentum as best he can but the horse and rider are in total discord on their goals.
Luckily for most dressage riders, their horses tend to have good toplines. This is because dressage tends to insist upon a good topline due to so much topline work - transitions, uphill, collection, shoulder-in, etc. Because of this natural chain of events, dressage riders seem to assume that, therefore, they must know how to create roundness. And they think that, because these methods are how they ride differently from their friends' horses who don't have roundness or good topline, that this is therefore how you build topline. A + B = C.
Every good rider I've ever met has told me the same thing when it comes to building a true topline through useful techniques - work from the back forward. A horse cannot achieve a good topline if their hind end is weak, if they can't lift themselves and carry themselves from behind. Once you have the hind end engaged, it naturally starts working and lifting the core as they get more uphill. From there, you can bring the head and neck into a position that HELPS this flow of energy, but does NOT enable or disable it on its own.
I opened this video hoping to find some useful ideas for my horse, who because at the moment isn't being worked as often as he should and therefore has low topline muscle mass, could use some useful techniques to ride with an already weak topline in mind. but I'm deeply disappointed. Applying these techniques would only result in a horse who not only has a weak topline, but is being squished into this miserable position that actively works against his own engagement.
Thanks so much Amelia, so many brilliant tips & advice, I ride in a bit less bridle which I hope won’t complicate things but my mare is very supple so can’t wait to give it a go! Your videos are amazing, thanks again!
Great video! Thanks Jennifer! 😊 Loved the tips! I have boys that tend to get stuff in the neck so this was very helpful!
Hi! I have a question, I am an equestrian and I take horse back riding lessons once a week. I ride a pony because I have only been riding since May, I have progressed alot. I also don't own a pony/horse so I don't train them. The pony I ride canters REALLY fast and im always panicing in the canter. Have any tips? Your videos help so much!
Unfortunately its has alot of to do with horses self.in usa amateur people not always have access to the "right "dressage horses which is goes on the bit naturally.,Their joints,back,neck,hind legs is very nice and flexible ,their mind is willing to work,in usa-horses which alot amateurs can afford, have alot those thoroughbred types bloodlines,which a hell to make round,they are stiff like boards,yhey are not willing to do dressage,even they are looking elegant long legged animals,and frequently amateur people getting upset and blame themselves not be able to ride like a good riders,without understanding those "good riders" simply have" right horses" and not sweating for hour and half a day to make horse round
Of course purpose bred horses for dressage do have the basics to make these moves. But the thoroughbred is often taught to race and are stiff due to what they have been trained in. All of these exercises most especially the ground ones can make a massive difference and I think that what Amelia has shown gives everyone something they can do on a regular basis that is on the ground that will help change the suppleness of the horse even if your riding is not at that level yet. Thanks Amelia... I am looking at this to teach my 15 year old son who is riding an OTTB that we rescued as a 3 year old. She is a stunning little horse that tries her hardest and puts out some really great dressage moves now as a 6 year old.
I loved the demo of adjustability! Trainers say this but the demo spoke volumes!!!
Sometimes I feel like Copper evades the bit by tucking his chin! He is the opposite of Jennifer's horse!
Yes! They worthier invert or curl!
Hi Amelia, i tried all your exercices and it worked on my Connemara. Thank you so much.
Yay!! 🦄🦄🦄
Thanks, Amelia. Getting my horse rounder is definitely something I'm working on. Can't wait to try these tips. Really helpful.
I’m just learning English and your videos are so helpful for understanding it all. Thank you!
♥️
Amelia please can you do an advice video for horses that tilt there heads!?
Great video, great job of explaining and demonstrating. Thank you.
Thank you Jennifer and Amelia! This was timely for me! I worked on the exercise at the walk (given the winter weather back East) and I found them very helpful!
This was very helpful! My horse has a tendency to pop her head up. I will work on these exercises.
Amelia, you are awesome😁
Excellent explanation and visual on the horse 🐴
I realize that :)
hmm my message disappeared :( Just wanted to say that this is such a great video and advice:)
This was so good. I definitely have these issues. Can't wait to try your tips out. Thank you
yay! let me know how it goes, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss a video!
Thank you :)
You're welcome!
Hi watching from Derbyshire England 🏴❤️
Excellent also I've done groundwork suppling which has been more beneficial for my 5yr old tb mare , she's so soft now it's lovely , only a few ounces in my hands at most 😀
Amelia, thank you. Excellent advices. After watching the other one you shared I looked for some more of yours regarding horse being over bit, stiff and not willing to round. As always you are providing so many helpful hints and suggestions. Need to try your recommendations, since I am struggling with young horse which is stiff and trying to stay over bit in the beginning of our training.
Hello! I enjoyed this video!! But my horse almost does the opposite, he over rounds himself and almost pulls his nose downward into a downhill frame, it makes him stiff and hard to ride, I’m not sure how to bring him ‘up’ into a nice normal round contact.
omg this was amazing i actually practiced this and it worked !! most i have watched about roundness hasn't worked but this did i had a much rounder horse Thanks you Amelia xx
Great suggestions! Going to try these after this cold weather passes. And suggestions for a horse that is slow?
I think Jennifer has a decent riders position but the stiffness in the horse makes her stiff in her upper body especially at the trot.
This snowballs on itself.
I think in this case it would benefit her more to place her hands on the skin of the horse instead of allowing the horse's stiffness to make her hands rise and fall when she does rising trot. That way her elbows and ribcage would unstiffen. Her hands in front of the saddle on the horse's skin would insist that her elbows open and close as she posted. Low and wide can be ok for someone with your experience with nuance and intonation training, but dangerous for a rider without. So many horses (more often inexperienced eventers and combined training riders who find Dressage a necessary evil) that I have to retrain have been ridden with wide hands that I have found to be detrimental when the rider does not understand feel and training like you understand it.
Teaching this horse what is expected of it from the ground 1st and then going back to riding it with afforementioned mounted conditions I can just about guarantee would help. I believe an experienced groun in hand person would be the best 1st responder.
I liked all the rest of your suggestions.
Thank you so much for the advice! It really helps me as I am struggling with the same problem in riding! Thank you for these helpful videos with clear instructions on how to improve, they have helped me a lot! Thanks again 😄
You are so welcome!
this video is great! lots of great tips which i;m going to try - Jack has a lot of issues rounding in walk so gonna work on all these - thank you!!😊
hi Amelia
Is is possible to get a downward horse nicely round?
I want to ask... why is there so much emphasis on horses being "round" and "On the bit" etc. I don't see horses walking around the paddock naturally in these positions and to me, it seems uncomfortable for the horse and not natural? why is it such a big deal? why can't the horse just move around "normal" I do realize that with a rider on, balance is difference than free in the paddock, but to expect the horse to constantly be in this shape, seems almost unreasonable to me? I wish we were allowed to just let them relax!
Great question! Roundness is important because when the horse is round (engaging hind end and abdominals, lifting their back) it's healthier and easier for them to carry our weight. This video might help you: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/why-is-roundness-important/
Thank you Amelia. Great Tips. Saved it to my Amelia library.
Horse is crippled lame. Xray hocks and stifles.
Thank you Amelia, this video really helps me with my 19 year old TB. Your videos are fabulous!
Fantastic, helpful and thank you!
Such a good video, thanks Amelia!
Very informative -& useful , thanks
Cute and charme.You are the best.for me!
I liked this video but, What the benefits of getting horse rounder?
This was very helpful!
Very helpful! Thank you!
Thank you for this tutorial! I will try these tips tomorrow
What about some inhand work. Walking turn on the forehand, leg yeilds, serpentines. Thanks Amelia and Jennifer!
Yes, groundwork is great!
Loved this Video!
I live in a rural area and no one else in the surrounding are rides dressage. I can’t find any trainer to come to me and I can spend 5-6 hours round time going to and from a lesson. I have a pixio system now in hopes of doing a remote lesson. Can anyone tell me of a coach that will do some lessons via the computor remotely!!??? It helps me tremendously. Depending on this dressage community to advise.
I can! E mail me. Amelia.newcomb@colorado.edu