Collecting/round?

Question

How do you get a horse to round or collect his head???

I really want to teach my pony.

Oh and do anyone have any tips for getting a horse to respond better to leg pressure? thanks

Answer 1

there are mant ways and methods to getting a horse in a frame or "collect his head" as you said...i would ask your trainer as doing this incorrectly can be detrimental so i suggest trainer guidance...for leg pressure i can help though, when he escapes the leg DONT release the pressure in that MOMENT and just ask him to settle with a squeeze of rein and try again he will learn to accept it =]]

Answer 2

I got this from a judge so I would think this works and I tried it. see-saw and squeeze

Answer 3

collection comes with time.  you can encourage it by asking for a lot of transitions, and by teaching the horse to engage his hindquarters.  some folks hold the reins back a bit and push the horse forward with their legs, but this sends conflicting messages to the horse.

You really want to work on vertical and lateral flexion and get your leg aides working first.  

Leg aides are best started from the ground.  Put the saddle on the horse so you can use the girth as a guide.  Move the horses hind quarters away from you by applying steady pressure to the horse's hip at first.  Don't release the pressure until the horse uses the leg closest to you to step over the other hind leg.  This is disengament of the hind quarters.  Apply pressure to the shoulder and jaw of the horse to step his front end away from you.  When you get these two cues solid, you can start moving the cue point closer to the girth line.  When you  move the cue to the girth, of the horse gets stuck, give him the cue on his neck or hip also, and he will have an easier tiem making the connection.  When you get the horse responsive to pressure from the ground, you will be ready to do similar work under saddle.

To get the horse more sensitive, remember that he is a sensitive animal.  He can feel a fly land on him.  when you first ask for any yeild, do it as light as a feather, and gradually increase pressure until the horse yeilds.  When he does yeild, give him a second or two to think about it, and make sure you release pressure right away.  At first, when he is learning, reward baby steps.  As he starts to get the picture, ask for more.  Always remember, even if the horse only moes with hard pressure, keep using very light pressure to ask at first.  He will start to recognize the pattern and will start to respond to the lighter pressure.  

see www.parelli.com

ask for their free dvd.  its good stuff, and the info on the site might help!

Answer 4

Collection is about bringing the hindquarter down and under with the legs reaching well forward...when this happens, the horses back becomes rounded and elevates.  The forward impulsion moves from the rear forward, lifting the forehand of the horse, and this is when the horse will bring his head in and accept your light contact with the bit...by balancing strong cues for impulsion with slight alternating rein cues, the head will come into position.  You use your pelvis to thrust deeply in the saddle and forward as you squeeze with your legs.  Do leg strengthening exercises to improve your ability to do this.