over-bending

[Tkeisha]

Hello,


I purchased your book a month ago and have learned a lot from it! One question I have it regarding my Quarter Horse mare. I got her when she was three months old and have done all the training on her myself (she is now 9 years). I used to just do basic English and hunt seat but have moved to California and have begun working at a dressage barn.
My trainer here is great but I am a bit worried of how to approach this new training with my horse. One of the problems it that she tends to over-bend, not to avoid the bit really, but because I taught her that it was correct. She does it on her own when she wants to show off to people and will tend to do it when I am riding her and someone comes to watch. I don't know how to go about teaching her all of the new aspects of dressage, especially when I am the one who gave her the bads habits in the first place!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tkeisha

 

[Heather]

Whenever she overbends, lift the hands up quite quickly, not so sharply that it hurts her, but enough to make her raise her head, as it will lift the bit upwards in her mouth. Back it up immediately with your leg, to send her forwards agaion. You will have to repeat this every time she catches you out, and gradually she should do it less and less.

We had to retrain the big Prix St. George level dressage horse that I bought last year. He had been trained to go very deep in front and would overbend in even a snaffle.Nnow he goes very happily in just a hard rubber mullen mouth snaffle.


Heather