Technique question - advice please not just driving related

[JaniceH]

Now I am driving, and loving it, I have discovered that there are things open to me that were not possible when I was riding as without having to use my legs, the rest of me works as well as anyone else (well my brain has days off occassionally!). I would really like to find out more about collection and extension and this elusive 'on the bit', this was just not possible due to my lack of strength in my legs whilst riding. I know driving is different but, the theory of how horses move is the same. I understand what on the bit means (naturally rather than forced) and I also understand what is meant by collection and extension, but what I dont understand is HOW to achieve it. Whatever I read, talks in techno speak, and nothing really explains properly what it means, this is the article in question taken from Carriage Driving Magasine, but I have read riding mags with similar. (edited for length)

"The important thing asking for lengthening is to prepare correctly, drive round a corner in working trot, then as you enter the long side, warn the horse with a half-halt and then give whatever voice command you use for lengthening then drive him forward into your hand, using your whip to encourage activity if necessary. Although you must be driving forward positively, you must contain the energy again, otherwise he will simply push him out of his stride. The result of this is the horse will 'run' forward with no impulsion, trailing his hocks or if your reins are too long, he will probably fall into canter. The rhythm of the lengthened stride pace should be the same as before but you should be covering more ground with each stride"

how do you drive forward into your hand - what???!
How do you contain the energy?
How do you train a horse to give lengthened strides?
You also get things like, pushing forward into the bridle????

Sorry this is so long, but I cant be the only person who doesnt understand some of this? Can anyone make me understand HOW to achieve this eventually?

Thanks

Edited to say, I know this is not an instant thing by any means and is achieved by schooling and training, but just understanding some of the HOW would help.

[Wally]

Oh heck you do ask some questions don't you.

Contact is a two way thing, the horse must take some responsability too, by accepting the bit and trying to create a contact with you.

If you can envisage the feel of having the horse between your hand and leg you can feel when the horse if accepting the bit and ready to act on the tinyest give or take from the reins.

Use your voice to create activity and oomph from the horse, control it with your hands. May be use the whip too if he's a bit stodgy.

As you say prepeare him for a lengthened stride then ask with voice, allow with your hands and control it too with your hands to stop him running off and rushing. It's a terribly nebulous thing, but honestly you'll start to feel more and more and understand it as you go. You'll get a better feel for the horse with regard to activity and rushing etc.

It's terribly hard to describe it unless you can say NOW as you drive when you want to illustrate a feeling you should have.

Don't let things like this put a mental block on you. Let it ride and soon you'll KNOW exactly what you are looking for.

[JaniceH]

Thanks Wally, I know that I am not expecting this to happen in the near future as I should imagine this comes with lots of experience, training and time, but its just nice to have all sorts of windows opening for me :D I am going to continue having lessons with my driving pony, (when we find a suitable one :D) and so perhaps my instructor will be able to tell me when it is happening. Its just understanding the written version. So when they say driving forward into your hand to do collection, do they mean, that you make the horse faster with voice and whip, but 'contain' the horse by taking up a stronger contact with the reins, not pulling back as such, but a stronger contact on their mouth? So the the speed gets transferred to be more up and down rather than along? Just a bit confused as to what the aids description actually means. Sorry to be dense, just not had to deal with this before.