exactly "how" do I do this?

[Horsegal014]

My mare travles with her head stretced out and very low with her nose poked out, we resemble something like a sleep walking camel (tried to post a picture but couldnt get it to work). We plan on showing this year but we desperatly need help on "getting on the bit" I've read previous posts but I dont understand what aids to use, exactly how do I accomplish this? Shes a thoroughbred who hasnt done much in her 6 years before I got her. We've been working on ground work and things on the flat (halt, leg aids, weight aids, forard movement) she's doing wonderfully now. But the way she carries herself needs some help, any ideas? Thanks!

[mikka]

It's hard to say without knowing more about her level of training and condition, but you could perhaps start with lots of walk/halt transitions. If she's not accustomed to using her back end yet, it may take some time for her to develop the muscles and balance she'll need to engage at the hock. (Being on the bit really just means that she's carrying herself independently and from behind, which shows up as a rounding of her body).

There are tricks - both mechanical and technical - that people use to give their horses the appearance of being on the bit, but they're just that, tricks. Ideally, you'll want to build her athletic skills up to the point where she comes off the forehand easily, naturally and without undue intervention. There really is no quick fix - just lots of dedicated schooling and a kind rider.

It sounds like you're doing well with her already! Do you have an instructor who could help you out with a schooling plan?

[Horsegal014]

Well, she's not very experienced. We've mastered the stop and walk, trot transitions, our canter is a tad sketchy sometimes. I hate to admit it but I'm afraid this has come from my riding "habit" I ride her at the buckle (very end of reins) without any contact with the bit. She doesnt like contact very much (as she hasnt gottn used to it) but its great with listening to my seat! :o I do have an instuctor but she told me to just work on bringing her nose in by rein work. We've been trying but with no results. She is very forward moving (shes got the long floaty TB trot!) but the nose thing has got to go! I will work on walk/halt transitions today. So maybe after she's used to using those long-forgotten muscles it will be easier to carry herself properly? Thanks for the idea!

[ros]

One of the best ways to encourage a horse to carry itself correctly is to ask it to do lots of different things so that it has to!

Lots of transitions and changes of direction, as Mikka suggests, will keep her guessing and attentive; transitions from halt to walk, walk to trot, trot to walk, trot to halt, halt to trot... (If you can manage to rein back a few steps then go straight into trot you should notice an amazing difference in the trot strides!) You can do much of it out on a hack too - you don't necessarily have to have a school.

As she starts to listen to you, and her responses to your requests become quicker, you should find she'll draw herself up together more, her head and neck carriage will lift and she'll feel "lighter" in front, rather than falling onto her nose all the time :) You'll be able to use a shorter rein without feeling as though you're having to hold her up. Try not to carry your hands too low either - if you carry them a little higher, and occasionally give the odd little upward feel, you'll help to show her where you want her head and neck to be.

[virtuallyhorses]

Try pushing her on a little more - essentially she is in 'long and low' already - if you push her forward, she will need to bring her hind end under her more in order to avoid a nose dive. This will begin the athletic build up of her hind end and back.

Also add some circles, again this gets her to bring her hind end under her. Don't worry too much about the reins , that can come later but if you start by fiddling with the front end instead of the hind end, the 'forcing into a frame' type of training, you may end up with a nice 'look' but it won't be correct and will fall to pieces later on.

[Tootsie4U]

Originally posted by ros
One of the best ways to encourage a horse to carry itself correctly is to ask it to do lots of different things so that it has to!


Why is it that you speak such words of enlightenment AFTER I've solved my problems! :D (Im being sarcastic in case you're wondering) Took me months to figure that one out on my own:D Probably has more to do with me than you anyway ros :D, hindsight is 20/20 ya know. :D:D:D

Such simple advise, but so true. Serpentines!!!!!

[Horsegal014]

Alright, so I went out to ride tonight to try out all the different ideas I've gotten from you guys. At the walk we halted, backed, lots of transitions and circles and she still had her head low and out. About moving her forward more, she is very forward. She is a speed-demon. Her trot is still low and unbalanced (seems like she leans on her forehand) But her canter was actually a bit better. Her head drops and she picks up speed around corner but the rest is much lighter. I've confused myself now! Should I be holding my reins at one length until she brings her head up to meet me, or should I get her to bring her head up on her own? What if there is too much forward motion, do I slow her down and then lose the hindquarter energy you were talking about, or let her go on, and work it out? Sorry for all the questions!

(it seems the more I learn, the less I understand!) :o

[ros]

I tell you what - can you possibly beg, steal or borrow a copy of Kalman de Jurenak's video Classical Training (part I). It's absolutely brilliant. Part I covers initial training (starting with a 3-year old that's only been ridden a handful of times) and shows very clearly how you start to teach the horse to balance himself, develop rhythm, shorten his frame and so on. It's also an education just watching Hans Heinrich ride. Every time I watch it I learn something new. I think it would help you.

[Horsegal014]

I've been looking for the video Classical Training but I cant find it anywhere! Do you know of any other similar ones?
I just got back from a clinic and they said the same thing, to lighten up the forhand you must first engage the hip. So....more circles and transitions are to come in the near future!

[ros]

Oh I'm a Pratt :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I meant to type Classical SCHOOLING. Sorry. Type in Kalman de Jurenak Classical Schooling on a search engine & you should get various sites that sell it.

[Volvic]

Such simple advise, but so true. Serpentines!!!!! My instructor gave me this exercise to try & it has really helped Sky to get her back end underneath her & work properly.

You do a 3 loop serpentine, but at every loop, you ride a circle the width of that loop (so approx 15m circle). It is quite hard for the horse, so she may throw a tantrum (Sky did!)

A couple of months ago, Sky wouldnt go in anything that vaguely resembled an outline, but now she's doing a pretty good impression of one! Its not a true outline yet, but we're getting there. What I have found has helped is having a good instructor.

Good luck:) !

[k8schmutz]

It also helps if you keep your hands relativly still (givin only enough to stop the horse from slowing down) and kicking on at the same time, this should bring the hocks up underneath meaning the head comes up naturally