29/07/2026
🧘🏽♀️Why Greg isnt worked ‘Long and Low’ under saddle, yet is an advanced dressage horse Post Racing🧘🏽♀️
For Greg, working ‘long and low’ under saddle would not be a benefit for him. This does not mean that he doesn’t ‘stretch’ or doesnt have the ability or understanding to be able to change his frame whilst working in all three paces-he can and he does.
Gregs conformation is naturally ‘croup high’. His bottom is far higher than that of his wither and the way the rest of his conformation is put together means that, especially in the early years, he would ‘over power’ himself from behind. This would feel like:
* The feeling of being very strong in the rein
* Leaning of the leg
* Slightly braced through the base of the neck and would struggle to turn and do any transitions.
* He would have moments of being sharp to leg, followed by behind behind the legs and tight in the neck.
For some it might be that they need to start off slightly ‘high’ in front to be able to gain their confidence, for others it might be working in two point seat for the duration of the schooling session. Frame, balance and way of going, looks different or each horse and rider set up
It was important to be able to work with his balance, for his level of training and conformation. Understanding ‘what frame and when’ is so important for any horse, but especially for the thoroughbred that has a language from their first career, with a body built for speed
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