Bonfire's pulling

[Tootsie4U]

Absolutely no complaining here as Im happy as a flower. But, I do have a question regarding what to do / how to train my horse to stop pulling the bit.

He has just been broken - only ridden twice, so I dont expect much but at the same time, I don't want him to "learn" to pull on the bit. He is doing it from time to time and Im reprimanding him lightly with a crop (tapping him to get his attention and give a sharp NO).

Is this something to worry about? How else should I go about training him to not pull?

Thanks

Tootsie

Ps- any help is greatly appreciated, but please keep in mind that we are at the VERY basics right now and he knows nothing more than to trot when I say trot, walk when I say walk, and halt when I say halt. Anything complicated will do no good. :)

[Gracie]

How are you riding him? With a very tight rein? When I first rode gracie I gave her ,her head completly, she was a very relaxed horse. And its acutually good to give them their head because it gives them a very soft mouth later on in training which helps bring their head down. It sounds like you maybe holding on to the reins too tight for his first few times, let him get used to it, than worry about the pulling after hes gotten used to having a rider on his back. Things are beginning to be very different for him!
Good luck!:)

[Mehitabel]

sorry, missed this for a while - brain turned to jam.

i wouldn't be worried about it yet. it does take them a while to find their balance with a rider, and they use their head and neck to do this, so may well be all over the place for a while.
the trick is to try to trust him enough (and i know this is much easier said than done!) to give him a longer rein and carry himself, and find his own balance.
you can also then teach him to respond to your weight, voice and leg aids without much on the bit - then as he gets stronger you can take up the contact and start asking for a bit more.
i don't mean throw your reins away entirely, although it is helpful if you can ride with no reins if you need to, but just so you can feel him on the other end and you aren't using the reins much at all.

[Tootsie4U]

two responces to say "give him some room" - I like it. Sounds practical. Ill give it a try.

Although, I should comment that my instructor (Bonfire's previous owner and breeder, and who has trained many of his line) suggests getting him balance on the outside rein so he can frame up. Im reluctant to do so for the reasons you mention Gracie and Es. I think I shouldnt rush him and let him get used to carrying me and responding to me before I ask him to be "polished"

Thanks guys :D

[Gracie]

If it helps at all, Graice frames beautifully and I have never taken hold of her mouth! The softer the mouth the easiser it will be for them to frame! ( I would think!)

[Sammys Mum]

I wouldn't worry at all. My horse went through it when he was 3. He was so heavy on my hands he'd just tank me along and get faster and faster. He completley ran into his transitions and it was ages before we could canter. He's just finding his balance. Try lots of lunging and riding with a loose rein so he has nothing to be heavy against and lot and lots of leg get him engaging his hind quaters:p