My horse wont get off his forehand?

Question

My three year old aqha gelding has in the past month fallen on his forehand and i cant seem to get him to drive from his hind end. I have tried multiple exercises and ground poles. The problem has nothing to do with medical issues. I am using him for western pleasure and english pleasure until he is old enough for roping. ive also tried different kinds of bits such as twisted wire snaffle, correctional port, lifter... etc. Do you know of any more excersizes i could try or what i should do? thanks

Answer 1

alot of flexing (if you dont know what that is its were you bend your horses nose back to your knee and let go of the reins when they give in) that will make him feel lighter. try using gentle spurs just behind the cinch/girth to pop him up.

good luck hope this advice works... :)

Answer 2

Forget about switching bits, or even head position. If you're sure it's true engagement your'e after, try this: lots of upward & downward transitions done correctly. Think of moving *up* into a downward transition.

Walk to halt. Be sure he halts square, keep your legs on him during the downward phase.

Trot to halt, Canter to trot, then trot to halt. Canter to halt. Mix it up. Then, upward transitions. Make certain your horse responds to your leg the first time you use it. Squeeze. Wait a beat. No reaction? bump. Still no reaction, or sluggish? Try a cluck followed by a firm tap of the whip behind your leg. Repeat. Is he listening now? If not, try again. Be kind with your whip so as not to startle him, but be sure he understands the tap will come again if he ignores your leg.

Now, mix up your transitions. Work them into patterns; circles, serpentines, spirals in/ out. As your ask for transitions down, ask for a shoulder in, then haunches out.

Oftentimes if a horse is getting lazy and leaning on his forehand, it's because he knows what to expect, and just starts to careen forward, knowing the rider won't ask for anything different. Keep him guessing, be kind, and shake things up a bit. Don't just ride 'round the track in the arena, change it up.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Even if he is too advanced in a show ring for the snaffle, it is the appropriate bit to use any time you are training him.  The best training bit I have found is the full cheek snaffle, copper or sweet iron mouth.

It allows you to do the lateral work that should never be done using a shanked bit, and the full cheek helps him with turns.  

I would start with lateral neck flexion, bringing his head around so his nose touches your toe, releasing your rein whenever he responds.  I would do this at a standstill, and then at a walk, to begin each ride.  This will soften him at the poll.

I would ride him long and low at first, just working on gaining impulsion until he naturally lifts his forehand.  Once he is moving with impulsion, his forehand is lifted, and he drops his head naturally,  I would then use only the slightest rein contact to bring him into collection.  I think by just focusing on his impulsion for now, and working in the right bit, you will get the results you want.  Don't rush him into collection...let him reach and move freely forward as you drive his hindquarter under him with your seat.

Answer 4

OK those bits are really harsh for such a young horse you don't want to harden his mouth.

Lots and lots of flexion, counter flexion, slight overflexion, working on keeping the horse's head right centered in front of his chest etc etc.

Sometimes, manually pulling them up works, I did this a couple times. Pick up the trot and sit deep, use lots of leg, lift your hands too high for normal riding and apply contact, kind of picture trying to make him "sit" on his hindquarters. Hold this for a couple strides, loosen, post, let him lengthen, then try again. Do this off and on all the way around the ring, it should make a big difference.

Work on halts from all gaits, try to get him to halt directly from each gait. That way, when you tighten a little and sit back he will lift his front end in preparation for a halt.

Flexibility from the poll, LOTS of patience and proper, consistent work should make any horse bring itself on the hindquarters.

I know this can be frustrating, good luck :)