Tips on how to keep my horse on the bit?

Question

i know my horse can stay on the bit for long periods of time, as he's done it with other riders, but he won't do it with me! at the moment i'm pushing him forwards into the bit with my legs, but holding him back slightly and feeling with my hands, just like the other riders have told me to! so anyone got any tips? oh, and i'm not 'see sawing' on his mouth, or any thing harsh like that, and neither are the others.

and if anyone is going to be rude or mean, then just don't bother.... don't waste your time or mine!

so, any tips???? i know it'll take time.. muscles to build up etc, but how come he does it with another rider and not mee??? any tips will be much appreciated, thank youuu in advance!!! =D

Answer 1

try to check your position on the horse. your upright position, looking forward, legs under you close with your horses sides and just touch him with lower legs (all the time=touch him than release your squeeze and again...). it is better if you go all the time sitting trot (first few weeks). in the beginning of the class go lot of walk  lot of bigger and smaller (not to small) circles, about 15-20 min. than do sitting trot shorter as much as possible, (because it would be better for you to follow the movements) with downward and upward transitions, walk trot walk... for the beginning use corners to help him collect. always first apply legs than follow with hands. in the corner and all curves your body position should be: inside leg on the girth =strait under you, outside leg little behind girth=2cm is enough, inside hand little bit open about3-5cm inside, without moving your elbow=turn your tomb little bit toward center of particular circle or curve=like when open the key, feeling of the outside hand should be positive=not too restrictive, not too allowing, after one or two steps put everything back and repeat everything, body position, legs, hands, sight-look... LEGS MUST BE ALL THE TIME ACTIVE AND ON THE RIGHT POSITION. IF YOUR LEGS LOST POSITION EVERYTHING BE LOST IN TWO STEPS.. if you like to go canter then go on little longer rains, stand on the stirrups and be in balance, and you must feel how your horse go under you on light touch  of your legs. go on bigger space, or manage or jumping arena. and try to manipulate in corners on the same way like in trot. but in that standing position be ready to put little more concentration on your balance, a lot of balance with your(I'm sorry ) ***.  if horse goes little faster just enjoy and control with legs and little bit more with outside hand.  again not too restrictive . this is for beginning if it is usefully please write me. good luck    

also it is very very useful to see www.nickernetwork.com there you have 4 pictures on the left. open first all about dressage, and second is from Lynn Palm. both are prima.

Answer 2

You should only have light contact with the bit...your legs should drive him forward onto the bit...if you don't have the strength  to do that, then it could be that the horse is too big for you,  Very wide-backed horses, or horses too tall for your legs to reach down far enough can present this problem. You either have the ability to effectively use your legs, or you won't be able to solve this problem.  I would not suggest use of spurs in this situation, since you should work on strengthening your legs before resorting to aids such as spurs.

Answer 3

Ok i had this problem for a LONG time. Here's what I did..

I watched the other riders, and looked at EXACTLY where they were putting their legs and what they were doing with their hands. To some horses, if your legs are too far back, or forward, it can trigger a different response. I also put the bit in his mouth, and took the reins inbetween his legs. then up and tied to the saddle (the bottom will have more instructions on how to because i know taht wasn't very descriptive). then put him in a round pen and made him lope around. the force from the reins tied to the saddle kept him on the bit. I hope this helps, if not, feel free to message me!

*how to tie the reins to saddle:

Take the right rein and take it down, towards the girth. Then tigthen it until he is on the bit. once there, pull it up on his right side and tie to the saddle horn. same with the left side. this really works great.  make sure you reward him for being on the bit. and once he realizes thats what you want, he/she will always do it!

Answer 4

Try a couple of other exercises that will help you and him but still keep you out of his face.  First of all, really tune into him and when you feel the slightest bit of "falling out" use more leg.  I know that I have sharing this exercise many times on this forum, probably so many times people are getting sick of hearing it, but works and allows you to stay out of your horses mouth...to begin with, the collection that you are striving to maintain is also a mental thing, not only squeeze up and bring back on the bit...it's having your horse mentally collected to that he is ready, willing and able to do what you ask of him instantly, and that is what you need to work on.  We already know that he can do it, so you don't really need to work on that part of it as much as the mental part..firstly, when you do use your aids to gain the impulsion from the rear, don't use your bit until he is up under himself...don't bring back his face to round him up, just a subtle use of the bit to tell him he is there, where you want him to be.  Now, for one of the exercises that I know will help you help him keep it on his mind...begin at a walk, after getting his attention at a walk, then speed up and do it at a trot, than at an extended trot and eventually, if you want to, a slow, collected canter.  Ride along the fence, barn, something that is solid enough that he is going to have to take a step backward or run into...when you turn him into it and ask for a reversal...do it at a walk and give him some verbal notice, then reinforce it with your legs, you probably won't even have to use your reins.  When you ask him to reverse into the fence, he simply has to get collected, by automatically stepping back and getting his hind end under him, immediately take advantage of that position and walk off in the opposite way.  Like I said, get this mastered, then go on to the trot, etc.  What this does is keep him on his toes mentally, and when you are constantly asking him to do something else, he will eventually (sooner than you think) start being more alert to what you are about to ask him to do.  You will eventually be able to just do a good rollback in the middle of the arena, or stop and back up quietly.  Always remain subtle when you ask for something...and remember, you can over do any exercise and cause them to attempt to anticipate you, and you don't want that either...

EDIT******tuffcowgirl200, I don't normally comment on someone else and their contribution, but you are way off the path...that isn't EVEN what "on the bit" means or even close to it.  What you are doing is simulating holding your hands low on the reins and see sawing the mouth until the horse gives...oh, yeah, he also leans to move his head from side to side to avoid the bit (another added advantage, if that's what you really want)

EDIT*****I beg your pardon, but when your horse gets "true collection" he gets it...you don't need to keep ragging on his face...it's not only a physical collection, but a mental one as well, that is my point...yes, you can expect a horse to maintain collection without bit contact, and if you understood what true collection was, you would understand what I am saying.

Answer 5

when your riding, if you see that the reins are a bit loose like flopping a little and you don't have a solid contact, try shortening your reins so that it is easier to keep a contact with him.  just remember not to be too firm or strong because they do have a piece of medal in their mouth...lol

Try on a circle so that you are bending to the inside using your inside leg and rein and your outside aids so that he doesn't fall in or out but so you can see the corner of his inside eye.  then once he starts to accept the bit, give a little with your reins but not completely and keep giving those same aids. it's really good that you are keeping him forward so just remember to do that so it will be much easier for him to stay in a frame.

It took me a long time to learn how to keep the contact so don't worry.. you'll get there :)

my coach helped me out a lot also. so youu might want to take some lessons! i do every week..

Answer 6

From training horses the main reason I find for horse's working into an outline with one rider and not another is the riders position.  It doesn't mean they have bad positions but just need a little tweaking here and there to help the horse's balance. My old pony wouldn't even trot unless someone sit very upright on him until he was about 8 years old but it certainly made sure I sat well on him at all times!  

Watch one of the other riders on your horse and maybe take a photo of their position.  Now get someone to do the same with yours.  In particular look at where your body weight is.  Many riders tip just a touch forwards but don't realise they are doing it and this puts additional weight onto the horses forehand making it harder for the horse to come into an outline.  Now check your legs, are they underneath you in a straight line from your shoulders to hips to heel.  If they are not quite in the right place it will alter the balance of your upper body and again throw the horse's balance.  

Don't get dispondent about it, you will get there.  Keep practising little and often and be sure to give him time to stretch down his muscles every five minutes when working him into the outline.

Answer 7

well, if as soon as he gets it you let go, he can't be expected to keep it going, he needs your "help" to be collected, (hes not just gunna trot around with his head collected without your rein contact)  

so when he DOES get it, release with your inside hand and keep you inside leg on, and your outside rein where it was. Then, if he starts to waver from the collection, you pick your inside rein back up.

He and You should be working inside leg to outside hand.

Answer 8

Play with your reins a little.  Move your ring fingers a bit until he drops his head into the bit.  Same goes for if he/she is holding the bit.  Also try backing them up a couple times a ride.

Answer 9

pull the reigns in and be firmer with him, horses know if the rider is not sure..

it is your confidence

Answer 10

please don't move your hands more. self carriage is done by the horse carrying his own head not you holding them up with your hands. when you feel him working, you will feel no weight in your reins as though the horse has gone. then put your leg on a bit more and a bit more carrying your hands soft and gentle but with a supporting contact, do lots of change of rein and keep light in the saddle to allow his back muscles to develop aim for more each time you ride and keep the work varied always remember to warm up and cool down correctly.  as said before you should ride inside leg to supporting not fixed outside hand.  good luck

** i agree with bobbi you can have true self carriage without a contact on a bit one of my horse will work correctly in a headcollar with 2 leadrope attached to the sides.  it takes time and patience

Answer 11

The last thing you wanna do is keep a tight rein. Keep CONTACT with the horses mouth via reins. Dont let there be slack in the reins but also give the horse head room. once you have acquired a steady contact you can begin by "pulsing" you hands on the reins. It will create subtle movement but it will obvious to the horse.

It may take some time and it only works if you have constant contact. But take your time and be patient.