Training Baby Doll, Days 1,2 and 3

Kirsten

Tiffany – Baby Doll training – Days 1,2 and 3

Baby Doll is a 9 yr old Appaloosa mare without spots. Never been broke, although incredible friendly (basically treated like a dog the last 7 years or so). Owners would like to trail ride and eventually barrel race.

Day 1 and 2: Learning Frame of Mind and Round pen work on a line to get consistent forward motion.

Day 3: Saddle introduction and round pen work – walk, trot, canter at liberty.

BD’s movement is interesting around the round pen. At the walk her hindquarters appear to be more level than at the trot. Although she is not bringing her head down level to her withers, her hips to not tilt as noticeably

When she is trotting, no matter the direction, the outside hip is always higher than the inside hip. If the right side is higher, is she sort-striding on the outside leg?

I have been watching her movement very closely at the trot and canter. She is weaker on the left hind going to the left and cannot maintain gait for long periods of time without breaking down to a trot. To the right she is more consistent. I thought this imbalance would be more noticeable at the trot, but she seems to be equally tilted regardless of direction at the trot. In both pictures above the far hind leg is out behind her, but her hip is still noticeably higher than the closest hind. I guess I thought the far hip would level out more, especially when she does not have weight on it in that moment.

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2 Comments

  1. Diane Ayers

    Thanks for posting your story, Tiffany. It is always fascinating to see how different horses move and then see their improvement as they progress thru the Optimal Balance program. I too have been working with Kirsten for the past three years and I wish I had done more to document our progress, especially since my husband and I have gaited horses. They have benefitted tremendously from this balanceing work and are now moving more correctly than any other gaited horses I have seen. Plus, they are barefoot and ridden in snaffle bits. I look forward to more photos and posts on BabyDoll.

    • Jaavier

      Hi,I have recently moved to Adelaide from Finland and I am now ooiklng to participate in western riding activities again and in need of tips and hints of places that offer western riding or even lease horses in Adelaide. At the moment I do not have a horse, or at least not in Australia as my precious qh had to be left at home but I would willing to do work and help around stables for a ride or two .Western riding for me is a passion and I’d be delighted to get any kind of advice or information about western riding in SA. Greetings

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