How to keep my horse from stiffening his front legs?

Question

this is a part two....i've asked this before. He's a cutting horse and i dont use him for cutting...just trail riding. Some people tell me that i'm not applying enough bit its all so confusing. I just want to be do the right thing....not to mention stayin' in my saddle would be good too. lol any advice would be great.

Answer 1

umm well the first thing you have to think about his how long u have had him then when the last time he was cuttin the cows then i would get him bending his nck so hes nose will touch your shoe, { bending and flexing}  do that alot and maby just maby he will not cut when he turns than about the stiffing his front legs i would just take it easy with him tell he finds out he dont have to stop like that if he still does it just know its coming ya know and be ready for him to stop like that and stand up and us your legs so u have better balance

Answer 2

Well, gee. A cutting horse moves side to side and plants his front legs in the ground, so this horse is just doing what he knows. Applying bit isn't going to help at all. He just needs to learn how to go froward in a relaxed manner. Getting into his mouth is going to tense him up. I would put him into a gait and leave him there until he wants to slow down, and then just let him do so quietly with no cues from you. When he does, praise him highly for his quiet transition. You will need to do this for a while. Like a TB needs to learn not to race, he needs to learn not to cut. It can be done. He needs calm, quiet, easy work for now. When he gets better at slowing and not bracing, you can work on a sharper stop, but for now, you just want to encourage him to amble down to it.

Answer 3

exercise your horse and lunge him a little, if you apply pressure to the bit and curb strap/chain it will cause your horse to slow down or pull