How to get your horse in uphill balance and off the forehand!

[@mikeprendergast6866]

I am a 71 year old man riding a young Suffolk Punch/ Quarter horse cross that comes in at about 1500 lbs (that is the horse- I’m only 240). I ride western and am working on Western Dressage. I imagine I don’t fit the typical profile of your viewers. However, I thought you should know that I find your videos very helpful, well explained and well demonstrated. I don’t intend to ever show but your instruction is helping me be less of a burden to my horse and we both thank you for that.

[@michelleeuloth]

I am also a western dressage rider - great videos and well explained. Also follows my personal philosophy about rider horse relationship which is awesome! Thanks Amelia and thanks for speaking up, Mike - you are not alone :)

[@michaelc2509]

Congratulations on your riding! Wish you the best!

[@ronedelgaleone6706]

I'm 62, just been back riding a little over a year ago. I had no muscle. I bought the first horse I saw. And its a fabulous match. But he is green being a former Amish Buggy horse. With some arthritis. Where I board him there aren't any trails. Mostly we work in an arena then explore on the road. I wanted to try dressage so we could both get stronger and balanced. Thanks so much for your videos.

[@NeedToKnow1947]

“Every transition I do is a moment that my horse is coming up hill” my new mantra ❤️

[@paolopiccirillo6760]

Wow Amelia thanks for this very interesting video,most of the time we don't talk about horses conformation I think this lesson will be very useful

[@rhondacavanagh6070]

Love the way you explain the judges comments and the aids to help most people tell you the comment but don’t tell you the how to ❤

[@karolinagardea701]

Im from Poland and I wish There is not any people that can explain those things do simply... Thanks A lot for youre channel :)

[@libbylynett1923]

It’s fascinating how transitions get my sometimes lazy horse paying attention and working. I’ll keep at it !! Thank you

[@kristinemcclain9028]

This is how I get up hill. The horse first must really reach under him self and be supple in the back. Then he must learn how to push up through the back . Always think forward I don't pull my horse into a frame. Forward is not speed. When the horse learns how to lift in the back he will connect to your hand and then the hindquarters will drive forward lifting the forehand and getting that uphill action.

[@estoreim]

Mostly "Needs more jump in the canter" is what judges wrote about my Paint gelding throughout his Training and First Level seasons. We got there eventually with consistent and correct training. Love this video! I appreciate all the help you are giving me with your emails and videos.

[@lindav3747]

You are an exceptional teacher and trainer. Just devouring your instruction. It’s truly priceless. The shoulder in and the popping up of the withers is so good. Going to work on this next ride.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thank you!!

[@justynakopel3519]

my horse is really uphill, but the case is, that i tend to lean so much forward cuz im so tall and everything is messing up, thanks for the video, it was really helpful!

[@MommaHair]

You are officially one if my favorite people on KZbin right now. I’ve been taking jumping lessons and been struggling a little bit. You explain things so well, I think I’m going to go into my lessons with a lot more knowledge and a lot less guess work. Thank you so much, please keep making videos 😁

[@CavaliaGirl]

Excellent! You are so good at explaining and your riding is so technically accurate that you show such a good example of how to do things.

[@martameek5558]

marta meek 1 second ago Amelia I just want you to know how much I appreciate all your teachings. I am so grateful. I have put together my own little book, "Amelia Says" with your tips that before my ride I read as quick reminders to make the ride productive and fun for me and my boy Phantom.

[@JosephNewcomb]

I usually just have the farrier leave the front feet really long and trim the hinds super short. Bahahaha. 😂 just kidding. You da best. Great vid as always sis!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

😂😂😂

[@konieami]

or! just use "high heel" front horse shoes! :D

[@jessicabella5762]

Joseph Newcomb sad, but some people do really do that 😞

[@leealexander3507]

@@jessicabella5762 You've got to be kidding. Or maybe not considered some of the gear I saw someone put on their horse today.

[@shanaB1969]

Joseph Newcomb that’s my mo, too🤣

[@tihannah7766]

@Amelia - I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your videos! I feel like every time I turn around, I find yet ANOTHER one that is helping me work through issues with my young horse. I really appreciate the fact that when you publish a new video, that you are using a horse that is working through those issues and not a GP horse that can do it with their eyes closed. Lol. This is something I feel a lot of training videos seem to miss the point of. Your tips and explanations are always easy to understand, follow, and apply and have helped me SO MUCH in working with my horse. Thank you and please keep up the great work!

[@jeankuxmann6135]

Interesting video. Thank you. I don't ride now, but love watching Dressage.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Thanks Jean! It's such a beautiful sport, i agree!

[@ajhorse2008]

I just discovered Amelia Newcombe and her excellent videos. I am FINALLY starting to understand shoulder in, thanks to you!

[@nicolelevesque2023]

I love your quiet, correct riding. Such a joy to watch. Your horse looks happy in his work. Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge and know-how!

[@kimnenninger7226]

Great video. Helping your horse to raise the front end was really well explained. I feel like I can actually go out and do these exercises with my horse. Now I have to go back and see exactly how to leg yield my horse.

[@CynthiaMinchillo]

Hi Amelia, I have been watching your videos quite a bit lately as I just started riding dressage again and my instructor/trainer assigns them :). I rode saddle seat and equitation on nothing but Am. Saddlebreds and had quarter horses for trail riding and western. I also adopted an OTTB and the only thing that she seemed to really enjoy, besides running, was dressage, which I knew nothing about. I lost my OTTB before I could really learn. Now I got the opportunity to help retrain a AMSB with the owner and trainer. we are having fun watching him progress. I'm not a good dressage rider so your videos are helping so much.. one thing that would help is being able to see your legs better like black up against a white saddle pad. I appreciate all your videos and thank you again!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Hi! Glad the videos are helpful! It is so great that your trainer assigns them!! Ill work on my color contrasting!!

[@elizabethbourbon7588]

All of Amelia's videos are so helpful, but this one really resonated with me. I too have had the comment "needs more uphill balance" on my dressage tests and wondered "How?" As always, Amelia answers this question clearly, concisely, and gives very specific instructions and tips. I am so grateful for these short videos that make it possible for me to progress my riding during a quick lunch break when I'm stuck at work.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yay!! I'm so glad to hear that this was helpful!!

[@dawnmoyer2637]

Thanks Amelia! Looking forward to putting this info into practice tomorrow on my Appendix!

[@cindynoble2037]

Excellent video Amelia. Thank you so much.

[@lizphelan4883]

Love the detail in your videos! Very helpful! Off to practice!

[@dianespringford3947]

Thank you for the great exercises, Amelia, my dear horse will work on them with me next ride.

[@hannahhering655]

I really enjoy watching your videos!

[@keecha3117]

I know this is meant for dressage, but I love applying the principles in your videos to working my gaited horse

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good riding is good riding!!

[@Nightgrauen]

Hey, Amelia, the conformation fotos aren't equal. The right horse stands on a level ground, whereas the left horse is standing on a hill sloping down, so the comparison isn't really fair the the left horse. I still get the point you want to make and you are correct, there are downhill horses, I have two myself. But horses bred to be uphill face their own dangers. Usually they have too much thrust/driving power from behind and hit their own fronthooves or legs while walking or trotting. I would like to have a nice, square horse. In my opinion, that is the best of both worlds.

[@JacquelineN777]

Wow I feel like I finally actually understand this thank you so much !

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're so welcome!

[@cschadwick]

Your videos are so helpful and easy for me to understand. I especially appreciate your conformation explanation and how it relates to the horses we have. Many of us cannot afford to buy a fancy dressage horse who is built uphill, and it’s nice to hear you place so much value on a good mind and willingness to try.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes! Temperament really is the most important thing!!

[@horseaddictedpb]

Really enjoy your videos! I like to watch them over again when I'm wanting to target a specific improvement point.

[@royamoalem]

I really learned new concepts from this video. Thank you Amelia! 😍

[@coraliesentch4515]

Thanks for explaining and demonstrating that so well Amelia 😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 New exercise goals ❤️

[@amandamannyhorselife7968]

Extremely helpful and super easy to understand with your explanation super great video ...they are very educational

[@barbaramcmullen1963]

Great advice. Thanks so much

[@ninahalvorson9451]

Great video! I do western dressage with my paint horse who is built downhill. I constantly get comments about downhill or on forehand particularly at the lope. I certainly want to improve, but I also recognize his limitations due to his natural build

[@hannahpike4510]

this was so useful, thank you!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JustHorseyMie]

This is a really good video, and I will share it with anyone that has trouble with a horse on the forehand, as I think it applies to that as well.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Awesome!! Thanks!!

[@amicasto2238]

Thanks for being kind about TBs being generally more downhill :)

[@christybourque5902]

Love your videos!!!

[@JR-ec9pg]

Another super helpful video! Thank you!

[@BlackBitsBananas]

Thank you for making this video

[@michelekanefsky7511]

Terrific vid! I’ve never heard this explained in such detail! Thank you!

[@tangerine1215]

You are the best! Thank you very much all the time.

[@sarahposey7166]

Good descriptions on many of these things one of the things to look for on young horses because they are growing or on any horse whether they're withers are down or up... Look at the relationship between the stifle and the elbow look for a horse that is more level in that respect and don't worry about the top line is much. Yes, naturally built uphill is good but a willing mind on the horses part is paramount. Mechanically speaking a horse that is built downhill such as a Thoroughbred or many Quarter Horses is a speed advantage. some of these horses still have great tempo, movement and suspension in the trot. some of these horses on the track when they get a little sore lose the suspension but not the swing in their gait and are still " sound". I have seen horses that had horrible necks that with good patient quality work change their conformation to such a degree, if you didn't know what they looked like before you might be critical. Also some of these horses are quite talented! Valegro was not a popular horse and did not pass inspection... his breeding wasn't popular either. 🤣 Hester thought otherwise. 😉

[@robinclift1504]

How did you know this is exactly what I need help with!!?? Great info. Thanks!

[@VersatileHorsemanship]

Great video, thank you!

[@clairemardesich8576]

What an awesome and helpful video! Thank you so much Amelia ❤

[@rowanblackwell8339]

Love you Amelia!!

[@robyncarroll9928]

Great video from Australia

[@rebeccacavanaugh1994]

Thank you for your informative videos!

[@Treehugger617]

love it! will be trying this :)

[@jadeocooney]

Found it!!

[@jocelynemeurant6259]

Hi Amelia ! What is the différence between shoulder in and shoulder for ?🤔🤔 Thanks for your précious help 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dianehabegger]

Excellent topic! I love your videos!

[@marogers01]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

You're welcome!

[@erinkelley4]

Great video. Thanks for the information.

[@lalamet00]

I really wish a trainer would demonstrate a problem - like a horse that falls in on the circle - with a horse that does fall in. It's really hard to understand visually when your horse has to be given aids to look like the problem you are describing.

[@reneebarlow4132]

Thankyou Amelia!

[@melaniemiller9469]

Great easy to follow! QUESTION-if the horse lifts the head in the moment of transition, as in a new to dressage horse, or young horse, what steps do I take to correct that, or is it a balance thing, she will learn over time? I don't want to train poor form, nor force her I to a false head carriage. Thanks!

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Good question! Yes, at first the most important thing is to reward the horse for mink the transition. Then make sure that the horse is maybe a little lower and rounder BEFORE you ask for the transition. This will help keep them from lifting the head up in the moment of the transition!

[@patelketan4947]

good info..thanks

[@monicalana1888]

Can you show a video of transition from canter to rising trot? I can master it yet..thank you

[@itsbevinallison]

In the one Pic the angle is at a slant and the photo angle is slightly lower to the left so alllll the items in the picture drop some to the left. That makes the horse look down hill but if u picture that horse from the side u can tell its actually uphill in that left Pic.... And uphill comes from years of traininand building muscle over time properly. It isn't just ur posture. U can take a bad posture person and stick them on a gp horse and that gp horse will be able to be uphill from training. That's why school masters r great for educating riders. I've seen it. I've never heard lift ur withers I've heard like a wave from back to front as it rises in the front or ur thinking of just one body part and ignore the rest.

[@jadeocooney]

Amelia, what is the difference in aids between shoulder-in and just a left turn? Example, when moving shoulder-in, when does he know to just turn?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

very simply, inside leg keeps the horse on the angled line rather than a turn. But it's also outside rein, hips, etc :) Good question!

[@2hrsgrl]

Every. Single.test!

[@maggiepie8810]

The neck and shoulders are just as important. A generally uphill horse with a bit of a 'jumper's bump' is not something I'd be concerned about, in terms of conformation. Riding a horse that's naturally uphill is a joy, though. It doesn't matter if it's a fjord horse, a warmblood, or a pony, you get so much for free.

[@silky2204]

Yes.

[@gerardosalas9477]

Downhill is not desirable? Interesting, in bulls, downhill is the desirable thing. Thanks for he info, good to know when you’re on the market for a horse

[@AllisonVidroEventing]

What kind of mirrors are those?! I need arena mirrors that can be used outside! Thanks :)

[@gabrielleallen5025]

How do you get a horse with VERY uphill conformation, short back, and huge range of motion in hip and shoulder, but he is young and green (jumper prospect), and I have taken him back to the basics- and am working on getting him to engage his shoulder and reduce his tempo while powering off his hind end. He is in good shape and is almost fully developed with his Topline- but he had a rough start and along with conformation, he wants to compress and curl up. And only since I was able to find a breastplate that gave him full shoulder ROM, hasn’t been able to freely use it. 8yo (coming 8 realistically) 15.2hh Action Breaker x Baloubet du Rouet gelding who is mutton withered and has a very round barrel - so breastplate is mandatory. Has free jumped 1.80m, but is working on dressage basics. Jumper prospect. And goes in pony reins... his neck is that short. Do you have any advice?

[@joan9569]

Besides flies, what is the reason why a horse swings his tail? Thank you.

[@woodieedsel5417]

IDK about you. But I've found that some horses with perfect up hill conformation sometimes are harder to train . Cause you'll have nothing to train against . If that makes sense!

[@samespley5392]

I have a strangle question on this (I think) I have a horse that was measured at 16.3 when she was in hard work...now she is not in hard work I have measured her at 16.1 (floor to top of withers)....is this a thing that can happen ? So in effect they get " taller" when they are carrying themselves correctly ????

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

That is pretty interesting! Yes - this could happen if she's lost her topline muscles...

[@samespley5392]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thanks so much for replying; she definitely has as its now heading into Winter in UK so schooling has taken a back seat. Roll on Spring and more of your fabulous videos xx

[@HURCNchristine]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️

[@kirstenchang5182]

What are your thoughts on the trot-halt-trot and canter-halt-canter transitions?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

They are good to practice. Especially if you get to where you can do them from your seat and keep the horse uphill!!

[@kingtroopy8633]

Should you only start walk to Canter's when your horse is stronger in doing walk to trot and trot to canter so when your nailing the easier transitions then start doing walk to canter or just include them at any point. Thanks Amelia love your videos ❤️

[@tamekaellard8171]

Do you have any advice on what to do if my horse sticks his head up every time I touch the reins in walk? ie he has a great free walk but sticks his head up or gets tight in the poll every time I try and collect him up.

[@fleetskipper1810]

Tameka Ellard If you’re a singl-jointed snaffle and your horse’s mouth has a low palate, your snaffle bit may be stabbing him in the roof of the mouth, so he lifts his head in response. M y TB had that problem. I switched to a French mouth (two-jointed) snaffle bit, and it really helped. I hear that roller-jointed snaffle bits can help some horses with that problem, too.

[@animallover4101]

When my horse is going through a growth spurt she finds it extremely difficult to balance and wants to stay on the forehand .

[@LisadeKramer]

so how long do you need to work on walk/trot transitions?

[@jessicabella5762]

The thing that I don’t understand, is why judges can’t seem to see a horse can be built downhill and still be very engaged from behind. A horse that is built uphill, can absolutely still be stuck on the forehand. Again, as I’ve commented before, judges need to judge based on the horses ability. I hate it, when a judge says more lengthening to a quarter horse that is extending as best and as far as he can. In the video, yes he’s engaged from behind, but it still doesn’t change that his ass end is taller than the front end, and that never really changed. What changed was how far he stepped underneath his belly and how much he lifted through the back. His ass never really lowered.

[@shanaB1969]

Jessica Bella unfortunately, that is not how the judges are trained. They are trained to look for uphill, engages, quality gaits in all horses presented to them. They should not be breed biased, but some breeds aren’t built uphill therefore it’s more challenging for them to Truely travel in an uphill balance

[@waqasrafiq6044]

In posting trot, on turn I did up-down-down-up-down.... and the horse became uphill as his hind legs went more under the horse and he dropped his hind end. I don't understand why. Can you explain ?

[@hoofhearted3035]

May I ask, what kind of bit do you use? Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Depends on the horse. But usually just a regular snaffle

[@hoofhearted3035]

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage thanks

[@JD7980]

❤️❤️❤️

[@tamigeorge4405]

My horse is totally built to be uphill but he’d rather drag himself along with his front end than lower his hind end

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Have a look at this video: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/engage-your-horses-hind-end/

[@naunettemartin7450]

I like it

[@samanthabohlman9100]

I read in a forum that uphill and downhill conformation should be determined by the relation of the knee to the hock. Have you heard of this other way? Do you think one way is better than the other?

[@Mushroom_seyarinfan]

I’ve been told to draw a line from point of shoulder and stifle also.

[@danihworld]

Shoulder in and shoulder fore, what is the difference?

[@punkaakee]

Danielle Holder degree of bend

[@shanaB1969]

The shoulder in has more angle than shoulder fore. The shoulder in is a 3 track gait with the inside hind reaching into the track of the outside fore. In a shoulder fore, the inside hind goes between the track of the front feet

[@katarinamills8530]

I love your videos and saw all of them.But the rider of the white horse behind you is an example,how not to ride with kandare....poor thing.

[@racheldistefano5961]

The pictures you used were completely incorrect. The horse who is uphill and downhill is conformation. Horizontal balance is balance coming through the trunk of the horse and is achieved on a loose rein. The horse doing a passage in the photo was hollow and entirely on the forehand. Not a passage. Dressage is furthering more and more from proper biomechanics. Please study this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmHVi6GaopyHgMk

[@beauchasilvy]

Thank you. Very useful