We forever seek details regarding new information on lifts. Here is an important question that I expect you would find thought-provoking.
Question by Megan: Critique us for WP/HMS? (LopeSlow are you out there?!)?
Hi guys. I know I'm going to regret doing this but would you please critique my QH gelding and I? I've had him for about 4 months and before this we was a pasture pet, so I'm proud of how far he's come. I also show him english and jump with him, so I don't expect him to be perfect at everything haha.
Anyways here he is!
PLEASE don't judge my eq. in the indoor video, it was horrid and I just wasn't even thinking about me. In the outside video, go ahead 
Please critique but try not to be rude? I understand we are not perfect and that's not what I'm asking for someone to tell me, I'm looking for helpful advice. We show locally and do our fair but thats it, I don't plan on taking him to the AQHA World Show lol
Thanks so much!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC3pIcysrdM&feature=plcp
Thank you so much that really helped! And yeah I've noticed the tail wringing thing! He does get seen by a chirporacter and was actually just adjusted a few days ago.
I'm thinking its my saddle..he doesn't do it in any of the videos I have of riding him English. SAddle doesn't fit me anyways, so I guess we'll be selling that one!
@redheaded
Omg chick you comment on every one of my critiques and half the time you don't even know what you're talking about
Best answer:
Answer by horsegirl9
There are a few different things that we look for in WP, such as consistency (probably the biggest one!), obedience (lack of mouthing at bit, no tail wringing), balance, impulsion, and movement. Your horse is fairly consistent and maintains his speed and movement pretty well. I like seeing the length of rein that you ride him on. It is not ridiculously long, but it proves to me that he is obedient. He is also pretty balanced, and I like seeing how level his topline is and the slight arc to his neck. His movement looks comfortable, and his back is nice and rounded. Your horse also has great impulsion, and I like seeing him reach under himself, especially at the lope because some horses tend to loose their impulsion when asked to slow a bit. As for movement, his gaits are true, and so long as your horse performs this nicely at a show, you could definitely go into an arena at most local/open shows and be proud of your performance.
You've nailed the basics, there are just a few things you could work on to improve your western pleasure. One thing that I noticed is that your horse wrings his tail A LOT. I don't know if there's something that he doesn't like about his bit or saddle fit, perhaps that is something you may want to look into. Or, he might just benefit tremendously from a visit from the chiropractor.
I would also like to see your horse become just a bit more responsive to your cues, particularly at the lope, when he seems to tune you out a bit. What I do with my horse to achieve this is every couple of rides, I put my horse in a medium-width, jointed, O-ring snaffle and (reasonably) loose training fork. I would start out with two hands, keeping your reins tight enough so that you can direct rein easily if needed, but loose enough to allow the bit to leave him alone when he is doing what you want. This is your time to go back to basics. YOUR HANDS ARE ALLOWED TO DO VERY, VERY LITTLE HERE. For example, if you want him to whoa, say whoa and sit back in your saddle. If he doesn't stop within 2 strides, back him up quickly. When you get a nice, prompt stop, let him stand and rest for him a bit, and give him a pat. The same goes for backing. I would like you to see your horse maintain his frame more as he backs. So once you start backing, keep backing until he breaks at the poll and rounds his back. This idea of going back to basics and rewarding immediately goes for cuing and turning at all three gaits, stopping, backing, collecting/tucking his head, neck reining, and direct reining.
While your horse has nice movement, you will be more competitive if you get him to slow down more and come back to you when he gets strong. The following video does a nice job explaining how to do this. This can be practiced with both walk, jog, and lope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg4T19phAkE&feature=related
Your horsemanship is, for the most part, good. Make sure you work on really engaging your core and back and sitting deep in your saddle. However, your horse does have a lot of "lift" to his gaits, so I understand that this can be difficult. My only other big critique is to keep your legs back, especially at the back. Your heels should line up with your hips and shoulders if I drew a line perpendicular to the ground passing through all three. If you lower your stirrups a bit, you might find that your legs will naturally move underneath you. When you back, you have a tendency to lean too far back, move your legs forward, and do a little squirming motion. Teaching your horse (and yourself) to back with better position will increase your horsemanship score.
As for the pattern, really work on keeping your circles even and your lines straight. I would also like to remind you that all cones are in alignment at the shoulder unless stated otherwise. This means that if your pattern says "Jog at C", you horse is taking his first jogging stride when his shoulder lines up with the cone. This may mean that you need to cue a bit earlier, perhaps a stride or two before your cone.
That is really all the advice I can offer. I want to assure you that you look really nice, especially for only having worked with your horse for only 4 months. Good luck!
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