Large horse going on the forehand how best to stop this

[Deleted]

I would try schooling in a waterford.

[Deleted]

awww sorry, have you tried a loose ring french link, I don't think he could lean on that...... I'll ask around my friends too.

[honeypot]

I would try draw reins, before someone screams at me, to give him the idea. You have to get them going forward so you are not trying to pull him back and use the draw reins and you would the curb rein, also run the rein back to the buckle guards not between the legs. The idea is to get him to lighten the front end so as soon as he does it soften the contact but keep the contact on the snaffle. Like anything with horses you have to be quick to relax the hand as a reward but if they are reasonably clever they get it, 10 or 15 mins then do something else.
Its harder with an older horse as their muscles have already developed, and they have got into that way of going and it will take longer. I also think it helps to ride them in the lightest possible contact so they have nothing to lean on and rely on weight and seat aids doing serpentines in the school to get them to use their back ends more.

[Pepper]

I have had a hwt hunter who was on the forehand. I wouldn't necessarily advocate draw reins in the first instance, personally. Lots of transitions will help, chip chip with leg to say forward and up in to the hand, light hands and give as soon contact established. Try to establish inside leg to outside hand to balance and guide. Make sure that back end end is driving and the horse is stepping right underneath himself to help lift the front

Grit and work but it can be done. I'm now going the same with young mwt who has a tendency to run and pull with the front end leaving his quarters in the fiend next the ménage lol!

[hedgehopper]

Agree with perky,avoid draw reins,you need to get them forward into your hand,then give to contact. The more you get the backend working underneath you,the easier it is for them to come up in front. Using drawreins incorrectly will make the situation worse.

[sarahp]

And use lateral work, leg yield to start with, making circles larger and then smaller. Anything to help get the hindlegs underneath to take more weight. This is a schooling problem that will not be sorted with changes of bit or use of gadgets, but just hard work.

[Pepper]

like like like Sarahp - you sound like my instructor!!

Back to basics and no gadgets - good quality schooling :-)

[sarahp]

Thanks! I had a very good instructor when I was young and its all just recycled from her.

[ponymum]

I think its also important to not carry him if he is overbending....drop your contact and let him carry his own head and neck! Also try any bit he likes with a loose ring as this gives no poll action which might be why he is dropping so low in the first place....

[halfirish]

The op post has disappeared but from reading the replies guessing horse is leaning. I use lots of lateral work to engage hind end and also turns on the forehand. Be careful to ensure it is a correct turn where front feet remain still and the hindlegs cross in front of each other depending on which way you are turning, then move forward into walk, stop after some steps and turn the opposite way. Then progress from turn into trot direct and back to halt, repeat. Then add a 15 m circle before halting etc. Lots of variations can be made. Light hands!