how do i keep my filly from keeping her weight on the forehand?

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cowgirl

Member
i have an almost 3 year old filly and now that we are riding more, i notice she carries her weight more in front.how do i get her to engage her hindquarters? i have tried everything i know. suggestions?
EDIT: i should have mentioned that we only do light trail riding. we wont get into more serious stuff until she is at least 5
and she is over 15.5 hh. we do parelli and ground work and stuff
 
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PRS

Member
She is not finished growing yet. Often times with young horses it seems that their butt grows higher then their withers and then their front end catches up 6 months later. If her butt is higher than her withers then she can't help but to carry her weight on the forehand. Personally, I don't think an almost 3 year old horse needs to be ridden. Why not turn her out for 6 months or a year to give her some more time to grow?
 
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mnm1088

New member
Welll, I would do a lot more ground work. Also make sure your not too big of a rider for her, as shes still young. This is what I recommend...take poles and put them a little more than a strides length apart and walk her over them (you on the ground first) and then trot her over and so on. When shes comfortable with that, get on her and try it. It makes them pay attention to what theyre doing and engage their rear end. Also, teach her to half halt. And when your riding, make light contact with her mouth but push her into the bit with youe legs, This should help. Heres a pic of the pole exercise:

http://www.sdlwelshponies.com/images/Tex%20ground%20poles.jpg
 
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