Frame at trot...?

Question

Keep in mind when you read this: I ride 4-5 times a week

I have a trainer

he is VERY headstrong

this is only the first year he has been put back into work

if he can take advantage of me in any way, he will.

My horse is fine with getting his head in a nice frame when he is at the walk, canter, and jumping. When I ask for the trot from him, most of the time he just puts his head level to the rest of his body. When I play with my reins he gives me a frame for about 3 seconds then he immediately pulls his head out of it and gets super head strong. He doesn't do this at any other gait so your help is much needed

Answer 1

I do like what solstice said, but I have a different method if that doesnt work. Horses that are head strong, are also very stubborn. The thing that you need to do, is make it his idea to put his head down. Right now he just thinks you want him to do something, but he doesn't want to, so he won't. What I do, which so far has been working for me (remeber not all horses respond to the same thing.) So what I do, is when my horse sticks his head up in the air, I grab the reins, geting a firm contact, not holding his mouth, but a good feeling on his mouth, and sort of hold his head up, but not really. The point of this is, he is saying I want to hold my head up, so you say ok...... hold your head up!!!! Keep him working at the trot, stay relaxed in your saddle, if he drops his head, let him have a slightly looser rein, thats his reward. You can also praise him with your voice, or pat him, what ever he likes best. If he picks his head up again, hold it up again, until he figures out that when he drops his head he gets to relax. Doing this, he feels like it is his idea, not your, so he will want too. Good luck =D!

Answer 2

Work on your timing. The timing is a lot easier at a walk and canter. Trot, however, is usually the hardest to master because it's a two-beat gait, not three or four. When he gives you the frame, immediately release and give him a small scratch on the neck with your fingers. That's his "reward" for being good - and then repeat. I hope this helps - if your trainer hasn't tried this already :)

Answer 3

Try doing a sitting trot to begin with as that can help him stay in frame.  Also, consider using a martingale.  Sometimes if you spread your hands wider apart (so you don't have a perfect elbow to bit line) it can help force the horse into frame.  When doing it, think about lifting his back - we ask for collection of the head inorder to lift the back which allows the hind legs to go underneath the horse further causing HQ engagement.  It's hard to say without seeing it - but sometimes if they pull themselves out of frame - if you have a larger, stronger person on them that will just say "no" you must give me your face it can work...one or two rides and they give in.  You can also try ground driving him or using side reins at the trot in a circle while lunging.  There are many ways to do it - they all depend on the situation.

Answer 4

Lateral flex brings vertical flex.  Work on getting your horse to give his ribcage and neck side to side.  ask with a give and take rein and a bump and stop leg on the same side.  He should first resist you, but be persistent.  When he gives you a little shape, then stop asking.  Go a little farther then ask again.  If you have him giving easily off your leg both ways, then start asking him for both together.  Touch his ribs and give and take the reins, slightly more to the inside, and you should start to see a nicer head set come through.