New to dressage, have a problem.

[jane lyon]

At 49 and not ridden for 30 years, i now share our horse with my 10year old daughter. I have decided to take up dressage. I have lessons twice a week and ride nearly every night. When i ride and in the lesson everything is ok for about the 1st 15 minutes, then buster decides to rush off with me and put his head so far down he is not far from the ground, this is not nice especialy going round corners. Sometimes not very often i can get his head up to a reasonable level other times he will just keep going. Have had his teeth and back checked, no problem. Has anyone any idea why he does this. Also when he does it he is not behind the bit, is he just being naughty with me. Can someone clear up the rule on long hair in a dressage test, does it have to be in a net off your collar. Many thanks Jane

[jumpingkatey]

Hi you would have more replys if you put this in the dressage part of the forum!

[Cochise]

Hi Jane, I moved this from the "help on using the forum" section to the dressage section.

[Lgd]

Difficult one to answer without seeing the problem.

A big chunk of dressage is about balance and submission from the horse so this is probably where you need to target first. What you are describing sounds like an issue with both. He rushes, loses his balance and rushes more and ignores your attempts to rebalance.

He needs to learn to wait for you. If he rushes off go to halt or walk every time he does it, rebalance yourself and him and then set off again. Do a lot of transitions and always think about keeping the hind leg active and underneath him. There is a tempatation with the rushing to take the leg off, it needs to be there to keep the hind engagement and stop him running onto the forehand. Lots of small half halts to stop the head getting down.

It may also be worth having your saddle checked for fit as that can make them drop and run forwards. Another thing to consider is a change of bit - you don't say what you currently ride in but guessing an ordinary single joint snaffle. A switch to a double jointed snaffle of some description or even a hanging cheek may help - bitting is very much trial and error. A few lessons with a specialist dressage instructor would help as you obviously are not getting what you need in your lessons if this is continuing.

[jane lyon]

Sorry bit confused when posting. Thanks lgd, yes we do ride in a single joint snaffle, happy mouth. Buster only does his head down bit when i ride, if my instructor gets on him he wont do it, but she has been ridding for a long time and me only 6 months. We had a lesson today no rushing but the head went down after only 10 minutes, not sure if its me, instructor says ignore him and push him on, when i do this his head starts to come up, but then i chicken out, so we are back to square one. We are having extra lessons this week so hopfully i can get over my nerves and push him on. Would you not think if he only does it with me and not instructor its his saddle. Thanks Jane

[coss]

if it was me i would really "kick" on as it obviously is just naughtiness if he only does it with you, sounds like he's taking advantage of your lesser experience. i've ridden a few horse that try it on, they put there head down and run, i take the approach of "daring" them to go faster as this makes them work the hind legs more and then they have to start thinking and they normally give you a bit more respect. you say you have started to try this and the head starts to come up but you chicken out, don't chicken out. i find, for horses that just stick there neck out, riding lots of transitions and circles really helps as they have to sit back on the hind legs more.
I probably wouldn't change the bit as you have to make the connection without any changes, he may go better in a different bit but you have to overcome the respect first.
Good luck :)

[Lgd]

As he isn't doing it with your instructor then it is just him taking advantage. Work on building up your core strength off the horse as this will help in the saddle. As for the rest - your instructor is right, you need the legs to lift the head and forehand. Might be worth putting a leather strap between the D-rings of the saddle as a grab strap for you to get hold of if you feel insecure. If you make it long enough you can slip a couple of fingers through it while holding the reins and it will aid in stopping him pulling you forward.

[jane lyon]

Just an update, 1st I must thank Cochise for moving my post. Have had two extra lessons this week, still very nervous, but instructor double lunged us and this seemed to give me confidance even managed to kick on which brought his head up, great feeling when he accept the bit and his head is in the right position. Thanks everyone who replyed will keep on trying. Jane.

[holiday]

Well done, stick at it!!!! It does sound as if he is trying it on, once you gain a secure seat and ride him forward into a contact you will find he will be a lot easier and less able to get away from you. Its probually a trick he has learned which helps him stop working as hard!!!! Your hair should be either tied back or in a net, for dressage, i usually put mine in a net then a scrunchy round it all to keep it tidy!!!