How to get the horse working properly?

[StephandMagic]

can someone explain to me how to begin to ask a horse to work correctly. my youngster obviously doesnt have the correct muscle although i would like to know how to ask as i ride other horses at college aswell. thank you

[coss]

this is a difficult topic to explain as many people on here will agree...
the idea is to have a soft horse that will accept a rein contact so that you can engage the inside hind leg. That will give energy and should lower the back end and raise the back which lowers the head...
I would start of on a circle in trot and just slow the rhythm down so the horse has a chance to engage the back end. keep a consistent positive rein contact as occasionaly ask for a firmer contact (a squeeze of the outside rein lasting two steps or so). keep your inside leg at the girth and keep the ticking of the trot with your seat and keep the impulsion. Make sure your contact is soft and elastic and as the horse lowers the head make sure it is because the back end is working. Only ask for the horse to work like this in short spells before walking and allowing the horse to have a full stretch.

I hope that helps, i find it hard to explain. good luck, once you get it, you won't want to ride a horse any differently!