getting your horse on the bit?

[shauna17]

I have a welsh section D cross gypsy cob gelding. He turned 4years old in june 2014 and this is where he properly started getting schooled. He moves lovely and is very powerful from behind but is still not going on the bit? I have tried side reins but they haven't done much to bring his head in and he's quite a big boy at 15.2hh. What other ways could help me bring his head in and on the bit??? Thanks for your time and please no nastey comments

[robrocks]

He is at an age when they can really be bothered with teeth. Have vet/ dentist check and make sure all ok, no wolf teeth etc. if saddle isn't right he won't be keen to round into it. If all fine don't expect him to hold a contact for too long. Sponge and release and do half halts. If he is not upside down and going forward willingly I wouldn't worry, he is young and sounds like he has a big frame to carry(his not yours lol)

[shauna17]

Thank you! Would anyone suggest draw reins or will that be to harsh for a 4 year old?? He's ridden in a plain snaffle at the moment

[foxyt]

My horse is the same age, I have been having lessons from someone who is training with Philippe Karl in a more horse led way. I take a high hand and take a strong contact, as soon as she pushes against my hand forward and down I go with it and let her take this position. At first it only lasted a second, now after six months we can maintain it in walk. In trot it has been a lot harder but the bigger the trot the easier it is. It doesn't help in trot that it feels like she has legs from four different types of horses! She is still very Bambi like but getting better :-) I think there are lots of you tube videos of Philippe Karl and I think the technique is action reaction. I have really enjoyed these lessons, but it is like learning to ride in a whole new way.

[barbiegirl]

I would never use draw reins to force a baby's head in. I'm not a fan of forcing ponies into false outlines. Check teeth/back/saddle etc. The best thing to do is to have a few lessons with someone experienced in how to introduce a baby to working on the bit, esp if you are not experienced or are uncertain how to go about bringing a youngster on. My 4 year was quite reluctant to accept the contact and start to work on the bit, but with a few lessons from a good instructor and some time and patience she got the hang of it.

[judyh]

I think your comments show inexperience. To be on the bit the horse needs to be between hand and leg, artificial aids will never truly put a horse on the bit. You are mistaking forcing the head in with being in self carriage and on the bit.
You need lessons from a professional who can help you achieve this.

[gillwales]

I agree with the above, the placement of the head does not mean that your horse is going on the bit.
Good quality schooling is the only way to achieve this, lots of slow and low work, transitions, half halts. The most important thing at this stage is to ensure that your horse is listening to you, for a horse to go well on the bit it needs to be fit and muscled in the right way. Work up to lateral work, you will find that instead if forcing a horse into an outline it will naturally end up in that way. We all tend to rush our babies, take things slowly, vary work and make it fun, it will really pay off in the long run
One last little note, no matter how good a rider or how experienced you are, an extra pair of eyes, and ears on the ground make a big difference... I say ears as I can often tell how a horse is going by listening to the lightness or heaviness of it's step.

[sarahp]

I was taught to start lateral work early in their education - not major stuff, just leg yielding on both reins in walk for a few steps to begin with - across a wide track out hacking is a great way to start as they tend to hang to the edges anyway. Or using another human on the ground to help them get the idea of moving away from the leg. Also transitions within the pace,ie faster and slower walk, trot etc. It all helps to develop the correct muscles to enable them to take more weight on the hindquarters and lighten the forehand, and they will then drop naturally down onto the bit

[robrocks]

Definitely no draw reins. Remember the power of the walk, get it walk. Agree with the others lessons from a well thought of instructor will pay dividends.

[topsy14]

I think you need some lessons from an experienced person. Personally I think it would be better if he was taught a correct way of going  instead using draw reigns or side reigns to get him "on the bit". Unfortunately these days I find there are a lot of young horses forced "onto the bit"- basically dragging their heads in wtih contraptions instead of getting them moving forward properly- causes a lot of problems in later life. (I am prepared to be shot down in flames here)

[shauna17]

Thank you everyone for there comments, I will be have a insturctor to help me with the school of my horse as I want the best outcome for him. I don't want to rush my boy and I Certainly don't want to force him to do anything. I am happy to take time with him and let him come into a natural outline. I just wanted to no what other people do to get their horse on the bit and what aids they used. But thank you everyone for there comments

[gillwales]

good luck, please keep us up-dated