Help getting horses to go on the bit?

Question

I have trouble getting horses on the bit. the technique i was taught is to use my inside leg to help push the horse into my outside rein, which should be stronger than my inside. But don't know how to keep the outside rein tighter (if that's the right word) than my inside, without turning the horse! As a result, my inside rein is always working harder! Any tips?

Answer 1

on the bit is all about the release

when you feel presure on the bit give him slack and also you need a very un severe bit one he feels comfy leaning od a simple snaffel and remember you can not exspect both you cannot say lean and the next second tell him to get behind be consistant hey god loves you

Answer 2

Step 1: Establish a forward working gait. I prefer the trot to introduce these concepts, it's very laterally even and easy for horses and riders to maintain. Forward is the absolute requirement for any horse becoming balanced.

Step 2: Establish a correct gentle bend in the horse using a pulsing inside leg at the girth and the outside leg steadying slightly behind the normal position. At this time the only rein contact should be used to maintain the desired track.

Step 3: Ask the horse to perform both upward and downward transitions. Forward trot to forward walk. Forward trot to prompt halt (on a dime type work, without excessive yanking, the seat should ask before the hand). Halt to forward trot. Halt to energetic walk.

Step 4: In the working trot, maintain a steady light contact with the outside rein, not enough to turn the horses head to the outside, but merely feel like you are hooking a finger into the corner of his mouth, that much pressure and no more to start.

Step 5: Take up the inside rein with the same amount of pressure as the outside, or slightly less, then release it. Take and give, take and give to prevent the horse from confusing the cue with a cue to turn. Likewise, the inside leg at the girth should keep the horse moving straight, and the outside leg MUST keep the horse marching forward.

Step 6: Prepare for any one, or all of the following evasions: slowing down, speeding up past a balanced gait, poking the nose up in the air, trying to pull the reins from the rider, trotting with the head down to the ground. The solution is always to regain first the balanced forward gait, and then straightness from the riders legs and finally ask the horse to hold the bit in his mouth with contact from your hands.

The idea is for the energy to be established in the strong hind end, pushing up through the back, arching through the neck and down to the bit, where the riders hands cup and contain it- prevent it from flowing out the front end to waste- the hands direct and guide it, informing the riders leg to produce more energy from the hind end, or straighten the horse to keep the energy flowing directly.

Obviously this is just a guide, a beginning. A good trainer will also be essential. Good luck!  

Answer 3

www.horseforum.com

Answer 4

Use a small part of a carrot, place it on your palm with the bit. they smell the carrot and when they open their mouth they will take both . This always worked for us. Try it and let me know how it works for you. Linda.  

Answer 5

i find that it helps to maintain a contact with your outside rein, and squeeze with your inside leg while giving and taking with your inside rein. generally if you're riding along the wall it won't matter if you're pushing your horse to the outside a bit more so long as you're still straight and not bent towards the outside.

it also helps to have the horse going correctly too .. make sure you're pushing your horse right into the corners of the school and bending towards the inside at the same time. if your horse is traveling at the correct speed, willing, supple, accepting the contact and if you have the right hand position he/she will probably automatically accept the bit and drop their nose to the vertical (: hope i helped