I think what made the biggest difference was he improved his way of going.
I attribute this to two factors- his muscle development, and riding
lessons. He has become quite a muscular beast, and looks nothing like he
did when I brought him home. The biggest factor is probably the lessons.
We are working on getting his head down and his frame correct, and he is
responding. (although slowly) I have said it before, and I will repeat it
again:
Find a good instructor, and take riding lessons. I would never have
believed how much difference it made in my riding, (and for my horse) since
I was a typical skeptic about arena work. (I never liked it at all) I
learned to ride without correct instruction, so I was never aware of what I
was doing wrong. It is HARD to make changes in the way you ride, but the
payback is worth it. Your horse will thank you for it!
Nick Warhol