Well said everybody and you stick to your guns girl!

You see so many stressed, miserable dressage horses with riders who neverthless feel competent to criticise others. If that's their idea of horsemanship I personally want no part of it. I'm not knocking dressage per se as there are many, many riders who seek to follow the classical principles but sadly, as has been said here already, there are too many who don't. I know one leading equine physio who refused to carry on treating horses on a leading dressage rider's yard due to the ongoing abuse of the horses and she had to stop her regular trips to Holland, to work on a big dressage yard, as she would be so upset by the time she returned home. She said the horses reminded her of battery hens.

Did you say you were in the manchester area??
We have regular cinics over here in area 2 cheshire (WES) with Sherie Dermody for all levels she is a excellent trainer who has done dressage to a high level, and western or she could give lessons to you and your horse at her place nr Nantwich...good luck and keep the faith

Post edited by: Roland, at: 2008/05/03 07:10

Don't get disheartened, we too had a pony with an awful canter....

We started with western arena exercises (books via Book Depository/amazon), no spins or anything complicated. All last summer we played with stopping starting and circles, with cones and some basic trail poles to keep it interesting. Now we have a pony with a lovely canter and a well muscled back that means she works beautifully western or english. Also even better manners on the ground having spent time on that re-showmanship.

So have faith in your skills and 'think western',and while you sort out saddles lessons, clinics etc there is lots to do to show the dressage divas that it's about horsemanship not riding...

I agree, you stick to your guns and don't feel that you have to do what everyone else on the yard does. I used to keep my horse on a yard of hunters/jumpers a few years ago and the yard owner laughed at my 14.3hh QH mare, then he found out how much the foals sold for! He also saw me work the same mare in the indoor school 'round penning' her at one end of the school (with no barriers), she worked perfectly round me and stopped still on command! He never laughed again!!!!!!!!!!
My daughter bought an ex hunter from him, this poor horse had been ridden for 4 years by a hunt servant who used his favourite comfortable saddle. Only trouble was it did not fit the mare properly. She had a terrible outline and went around with her back stiff and her head up. We gave her some time off and got a correctly fitting saddle, When she went back into work, I rode her with western length reins and virtually no contact on her mouth. She enjoyed stretching out and the outline gradually came back, she even started being able to jump again. This same horse - who had been chased round the indoor school with a lunge whip for exercise during hunt season - also learned to 'round pen' around me with no barriers, just like my QH. She took a while but soon came to enjoy herself. Lots of the others on the yard started to listen & watch after this. It gave quite a few people some eye openers, so do not be afraid, do what is best for you and your horse and let the others get on with it. They can either learn to accept your style or keep their noses out.

Thank you every one. I plan to look up western trainers once I have settled down in new home and yard next month.

I do find it hard to divorce english ridng style (leg,leg,leg, hold in outline)from English tack. Howevoer I rode up lane and back tonight (20 mins) in my WH saddle western style and my pony was so much happier. He can be very jumpy and I tend to pressurise him to go on. Western styley with minimal contact and neck reining he seems to be able to think more clearly and panick less.

My gran plan is to go back to long distance riding and save for a decent light weight western trail saddle.

I am moving to Mossley (in between oldham and Aston/stalybridge), dont know if any you are in the vacinity?

Thank you every one. I plan to look up western trainers once I have settled down in new home and yard next month.

I do find it hard to divorce english ridng style (leg,leg,leg, hold in outline)from English tack. Howevoer I rode up lane and back tonight (20 mins) in my WH saddle western style and my pony was so much happier. He can be very jumpy and I tend to pressurise him to go on. Western styley with minimal contact and neck reining he seems to be able to think more clearly and panick less.

My gran plan is to go back to long distance riding and save for a decent light weight western trail saddle.

I am moving to Mossley (in between oldham and Aston/stalybridge), dont know if any you are in the vacinity?