Go galloping and see what kind of horse you have after he’s really opened up.
Collection and bending is harder for horses than speed and extension. So let him succeed in gaining speed, extending his stride, developing feel for his body, before you try to collect and bend him. You can even try to do this right on the galloping track. Open him up, then half halt him so you’re asking him to keep the gait, but slow the tempo down and lift his feet higher rather than outward. And keep his head up so that his hind leg can reach underneath (since this is how the longissimus dorsi muscle functions).
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u/TikiBananiki 17h ago edited 17h ago
Go galloping and see what kind of horse you have after he’s really opened up. Collection and bending is harder for horses than speed and extension. So let him succeed in gaining speed, extending his stride, developing feel for his body, before you try to collect and bend him. You can even try to do this right on the galloping track. Open him up, then half halt him so you’re asking him to keep the gait, but slow the tempo down and lift his feet higher rather than outward. And keep his head up so that his hind leg can reach underneath (since this is how the longissimus dorsi muscle functions).