How to get a horse working on the bit?

Question

I would like to know, how do you get a horse to work on the bit and become soft and supple? The only problem is, she ridesin a bitless bridle. It is basically a halter, but there is a circle-x under the jaw which gives control. It is a nurtural horse bittless bridle. Plz help! Here is a vid of my horse...

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=uUSK7EHN_kc

Oh, and could you give me a picture and/or video of a horse working on the bit. Thanks!

Answer 1

Your horse is very cute!

From my experience ( And ive only ever used a bridle) Flexing them slightly one direction, and gently 'sponging' the other rein is a great way for them to become very soft, and go round and such. However, you dont have a bit, and this only really works with one. I do like the idea though! You could try what I suggested, though it probably wont work. You may have to play around a bit to see what your horse responds too. :)

Answer 2

I'm not sure if this will work with a bitless bridle, but I'll explained to you what on the bit is and how to get it.

On the bit is a funny term. A better term is "round"; I've also heard "topline flexion". It's not just getting the horse's head down. The entire topline of the horse should have a rounded appearance. When done right, the horse's head will be vertical to the ground. The horse should be engaging his hindquarters, this will help make him soft and supple.

Often, riders make the mistake of pulling a horse's head down with their hands. That's not what you want. The point is to drive him foreward into your hands until you achieve roundness.

Starting at the trot. The first thing you want is foreword. It doesn't need to be rushed, just bouncing and energetic.

Second thing you want is outside rein. You need to take an elastic but firm feel of his mouth; DO NOT pull back on the rein.

Thirdly, you need bend. Bend is achieved by pressure on your inside leg, pushing him into your steady outside rein. You can also supple your inside rein to bend his head and neck.

A mixture of these three things will put a horse on the bit. As soon as he does, soften your inside rein for a stride or so as a reward. Make sure you don't throw him away.

If he absolutely refuses to go on the bit, look at what you're doing. Make sure your weight is centered evenly over both seatbones. Then, check and see where your horse's weight is. Is he leaning to the inside? If he's counter bending(bending to the outside), his weight is on his inside. To fix this, put a little bit more weight in your outside seatbone; this will encourage him to come under your outside seatbone. Once he does, go back to being level.

Make sure you're sitting tall and straight, and not leaning. Also make sure your reins are long enough to allow him to put his head down!

http://www.topclassdressage.com/display/...

This horse is on the bit nicely-- see how his head is vertical to the ground?

Answer 3

well it might be a bit more difficult. I've never riddne a horse without a bit, and never seen someone get a horse to work on the bit without a bit. But i guess it would work the same way? but i will tell you how to get him working on the bit, as if there was a bit.

1. start at the walk on a circle, make sure he is moving forward off your leg, taking assertive steps.

2. work on a circle when you first start.

3. Get your horse bending around your leg instead of swinging out the the wall. This will make a neater circle to.

4. Now with your inside rein, pull his head to the inside. You should only be able to see a small part of his cheekpiece on his bridle, if you see his eye, way to much bend! while bending his head, make sure his body keeps bending too.

5. Now, with your outside rein and inside rein, give a couple squeezes on the inside rein, and then a couple squeezes on the outside rein. Alternate the squeezes between different reins. For example, dont squeeze on different reins at the same time and do NOT see saw!!!!!

6. keep him moving forward!!!!

remember: it takes experimenting, i learned to do it on the ground, i pulled on the reins from the ground while someone sat on my horse. It may take awhile to get the hang of it, but you just need to keep experimenting. If he isn't listening, make your squeezes stronger. My hands and fingers would get tired after awhile so i use my whole forearm to pull. Make sure what you are asking is clear to your horse. Make your aids clear. but do NOT shorten your reins, that will make your horse force his nose in the air or press his jaw to his chest (uncomfortable). You may want to ask a knowledgable horse person to show you, it is very hard to explain without showing you.

http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image...

This horse is working on the bit. The rider's reins are perfect length. and the horse is making forward assertive steps. He is also bending down, engaging his hind end and using his whole body, and his jaw isnt forced to his chest.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/4682/...

This horse is not on the bit, his head is way up in the air and the riders reins a bit too short. he is moving forward but he is not engaging his hind end and flexing down.

it make take a while to get it but once you will it will improve your horse's movements and getting him to work his whole body! plus it looks way more attractive!!

good luck

Answer 4

I'm confused by your question.  Do you want to train her to the bit, or do you want to teach collection on a bitless bridle?

Answer 5

I would recommend some dressage classes for you and the horse.  And I agree with several posters on what needs to be practiced but I think you need a more fundamental education first.   Do a search on dressage 101 to get a better education.

ps:  it can be done in a bitless bridle as I have a horse that goes in a bitless  bridle.  In fact all my babies have been broke out in a bitless bridle so they learn to carry themselves prior to a bit going in the mouth.