Down the bit

[dragonlady]

I am having problems getting my cob to go down the bit. I have been advised that, as he is such a heavy, strong horse, I will find him a much easier ride if I can get him to do that - but I can't! :(

My husband and another very experienced (and strong) rider have both tried without a lot of success.

He isn't a BAD ride, but anything that would make my life easier has to be good! :o

Any suggestions would be appreciated :D

Thanks,


Dragonlady

[cvb]

er.. do you mean "on the bit" or something else ?

If you mean "on the bit", there have been a few threads recently on this subject and you may find its useful to read them first and then come back with more questions.

if thats not what you mean, you'd better explain it to us ! :p

[katefarmer]

The "strong" rider might make the problem worse - it's easy to go past the opposition reflex point and get the horse pushing back at you!

Have a look at the "Bitting and Bridling" article on www.harmony-project.net - there are lots of exercises there to get horses of all types and builds soft and listening to the bit.

Personally, I don't think the size and strength of the horse are anything to do with it - it's all about balance and getting the horse listening and cooperating. Get the horse's mind working with you, and the body comes along automatically with no effort at all from the rider!

kate
www.harmony-project.net

[cvb]

Agree with Kate - there are some "pre-requisites" to a horse working in the way I think you want. The horse needs to be straight - this doesn't mean you can't go round corners ;) it means they are not crooked or one sided. The horse needs to be active - working with energy and activity. And the horse needs to be "soft" i.e. lacking resistance to pressure - so when you apply an aid they respond to it rather than bracing against it.

What you sometimes find is that a strong rider will try and "place" the horse in an outline. This oftens means they are not straight, not active, and are resisting - so actually will not be moving in a good way :rolleyes: Its kind of self-defeating. They may get the nose in - but the horse will be resisting the bit, possibly with mouth open (unless its clamped shut with a flash) etc etc.

[dragonlady]

cvb Yes - I do mean "on the bit". I was going to put both terms, as "down the bit" might be a Scottish term for it?!?

Thanks for your and katefarmer's replies. I will have a look at The Harmony Project and the other threads and if I have any other questions I will get back to you!

Regards,


dragonlady :p

[dragonlady]

Sorry cvb - just noticed you're in Scotland too! I normally say "on the bit" myself, but my unofficial trainer calls it "down the bit". Ah well, never mind......!!!

dragonlady :p

[cvb]

dragonlady

someone might say "down onto the bit" especially if the horse is above it normally (which is the most common, rather than behind it). But I've not heard it without the "onto" part ;)

I am writing up some notes from watching a recent clinic - which will get done and posted :rolleyes: But the basic message is that all the good stuff starts from softness. If the horse is bracing or tense, or the rider ditto, then you are having to work against those tensions and its all a lot harder.

However, it is fair to say some horses are more naturally disposed to varry themselves in a good frame, and others less so. With the ones that have nature working against them, a good basic foundation becomes even more important.

Can this horse go in a nice relaxed novice outline (long and low) ? i.e. is it only when you try and shorten the frame that you hit problems ? Or is he tense or heavy or strong as his "normal" way of going ?

[Jenni]

you could try lunging in a pessoa (get the same version cheaper of e-bay) it is very kind and is great for building the back end and encouraging them through from behind. Maybe he is not strong /balanced enough at the moment.

Good excercise for bringing them up from behind. do in walk, trot and canter (in canter make circle bigger)
on left rein
at F ride a 10m circle, when you return to F on the circle
across diagonal to X.
at X ride a 10M circle right. back at X
across diagonal to M
at M ride 10m circle left.
If you write out the schooling markers you will see what i mean. you can do it on both sides of the school. Its a really good schooling excercise.
In canter make sure you half halt and come back to a steady trot before picking up right lead canter at X.

[cvb]

Hi Jenni

Have you tried that one with leg yeild ? :D Its great fun....

[Jenni]

Oh no!!!
Is that leg yielding form 20m to 10 m then back out again on the circles. i have tried that just at b and c but not on this kind of excercise!!! I love new dimensions to these things!!! must try that one out. when i actually find a horse to ride again!!!

Thanks

[cvb]

Jenni - no, its "your" exercise but instead of straight lines, you leg yield

so

at F ride a 10m circle, when you return to F on the circle
leg yield across diagonal to X.
at X ride a 10M circle right. back at X
leg yield across diagonal to M
at M ride 10m circle left.

Its quite a cool one for rider co-ordination as you have to change bends ;) But you are also only asking for short stretches of leg yeild, so it helps the horse learn to balance and maintain impulsion :D

[Jenni]

i get it now. That sound really good. Bet that really makes them think, and the rider too!!