A Perfectly arched neck,,,on the bit help

TheNaturalWay · 02-17-2004, 09:55 AM

heya, when ever i get a horse, they always either poke their noses, or dont go on the bit easily. I sponge my reins, and then after a while they will go down on the bit....any tips on how i can do this? x

Super_Trooper · 02-17-2004, 09:58 AM

You need to get your horses moving forward, with your seat and legs, spunge the reins and when your horse releases, then you release RIGHT away.

Work on surpentines, figure 8's and exercieses that are going to help your horse to bend and change direction, spunge and release, it will come.

RubySlipper · 02-17-2004, 10:43 AM

It also helps to lunge your horse in side reins or the pessoa rig (I like the pessoa better because it encourages them to use their hind end as well) When I lunge in side reins I like to keep the horse close to be and walk with them so the circle is not too small, by staying close I can use the whip to enourage the horse to move from behind. If you do this a few times a week it will be easier to get the horse on the bit when you are riding.

The Flying Moose · 02-17-2004, 10:56 AM

what does sponge mean?

Ok, well, what I would say is put you leg on first, hold your outside, and play with your inside rein. Keep your leg on, constantly squeezing so that you keep reinforcing the frame. give and take with your inside, and keep holding with your outside

TheNaturalWay · 02-17-2004, 11:04 AM

spongue=squezing basicallty

Jumpers · 02-19-2004, 06:45 AM

Getting a horse to work down into the bridle can be a difficult task sometimes - it really depends on the horse.

I agree that the horse must be moving forward with purpose. No dogging back behind your leg! Keep in mind that you should always teach a horse to travel on the bit at the trot first. USAE regulation says the horse should never be forced to travel on the bit at the walk until the trot is mastered first.

Encourage forward momentum, and half halt with the reins (sponging) at the same time. The second the horse's head drops, stop half halting.

And yes, I agree, on the longe with side reins is an excellent way to train the horse to move properly onto the bit.

slc · 02-19-2004, 11:50 AM

in dressage, the goal isn't to get the horse to work 'down into the bridle', as he will lose his balance, spongeing the reins won't put a horse on the bit.

spongeing the reins won't put the horse on the bit, but will just make him drop his head down. that isn't on the bit. to put a horse on the bit, he has to be pushed OUT to the bit with the rider's legs, not brought back or down in the head and neck. ride back to front, and don't 'ride the head', lol.

<small>[ February 19, 2004, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: slc ]</small>

Dawn · 02-19-2004, 12:43 PM

slc, you're saying that half halting has nothing to do with being "on the bit"? So, you just push the horse forward? Funny, cause when I do that, the horse gets strewn out, goes as fast as he can, falls on the forehand, and his head shoots up.

Jumpers · 02-19-2004, 12:48 PM

Once again - I agree with Dawn. I've ridden Dressage for 20+ years and every trainer I've ridden under uses half halts in combination with leg and seat aids to get the horse into the bridle.

You cannot push a horse forward, faster, and expect the horse to just end up on the bit. You have to form a constraint with your hands the horse cannot run through.

And why do you NOT want the horse to work down into the bridle? The basis to build on is a horse stretching and suppling the topline. How can he do that when the head is shot up into the air and the back is hollow? We work our horses long and long and gradually bring them int a higher frame as they progress.

The Flying Moose · 02-19-2004, 03:13 PM

I think I understand what slc means. You don't want your horse to be on the forehand, the main idea is to be on the haunches, and then play with the reins.

02-17-2004, 09:55 AM	#1
TheNaturalWay Full Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: cornwall Posts: 272	A Perfectly arched neck,,,on the bit help heya, when ever i get a horse, they always either poke their noses, or dont go on the bit easily. I sponge my reins, and then after a while they will go down on the bit....any tips on how i can do this? x

02-17-2004, 09:58 AM	#2
Super_Trooper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BC Canada Posts: 9,472 Images: 77	You need to get your horses moving forward, with your seat and legs, spunge the reins and when your horse releases, then you release RIGHT away. Work on surpentines, figure 8's and exercieses that are going to help your horse to bend and change direction, spunge and release, it will come. __________________ True commitment begins when you reach the point of not knowing how you could possibly go on, and deciding to do it anyway! http://b1.lilypie.com/mCKWm7/.png

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02-17-2004, 10:43 AM	#3
RubySlipper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 566	It also helps to lunge your horse in side reins or the pessoa rig (I like the pessoa better because it encourages them to use their hind end as well) When I lunge in side reins I like to keep the horse close to be and walk with them so the circle is not too small, by staying close I can use the whip to enourage the horse to move from behind. If you do this a few times a week it will be easier to get the horse on the bit when you are riding.

02-17-2004, 10:56 AM	#4
The Flying Moose Full Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 209	what does sponge mean? Ok, well, what I would say is put you leg on first, hold your outside, and play with your inside rein. Keep your leg on, constantly squeezing so that you keep reinforcing the frame. give and take with your inside, and keep holding with your outside

02-17-2004, 11:04 AM	#5
TheNaturalWay Full Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: cornwall Posts: 272	spongue=squezing basicallty

02-19-2004, 06:45 AM	#6
Jumpers Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,216	Getting a horse to work down into the bridle can be a difficult task sometimes - it really depends on the horse. I agree that the horse must be moving forward with purpose. No dogging back behind your leg! Keep in mind that you should always teach a horse to travel on the bit at the trot first. USAE regulation says the horse should never be forced to travel on the bit at the walk until the trot is mastered first. Encourage forward momentum, and half halt with the reins (sponging) at the same time. The second the horse's head drops, stop half halting. And yes, I agree, on the longe with side reins is an excellent way to train the horse to move properly onto the bit.

02-19-2004, 11:50 AM	#7
slc Full Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: ohio Posts: 294	in dressage, the goal isn't to get the horse to work 'down into the bridle', as he will lose his balance, spongeing the reins won't put a horse on the bit. spongeing the reins won't put the horse on the bit, but will just make him drop his head down. that isn't on the bit. to put a horse on the bit, he has to be pushed OUT to the bit with the rider's legs, not brought back or down in the head and neck. ride back to front, and don't 'ride the head', lol. <small>[ February 19, 2004, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: slc ]</small>

02-19-2004, 12:43 PM	#8
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 30,229 Images: 1328	slc, you're saying that half halting has nothing to do with being "on the bit"? So, you just push the horse forward? Funny, cause when I do that, the horse gets strewn out, goes as fast as he can, falls on the forehand, and his head shoots up.

02-19-2004, 12:48 PM	#9
Jumpers Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,216	Once again - I agree with Dawn. I've ridden Dressage for 20+ years and every trainer I've ridden under uses half halts in combination with leg and seat aids to get the horse into the bridle. You cannot push a horse forward, faster, and expect the horse to just end up on the bit. You have to form a constraint with your hands the horse cannot run through. And why do you NOT want the horse to work down into the bridle? The basis to build on is a horse stretching and suppling the topline. How can he do that when the head is shot up into the air and the back is hollow? We work our horses long and long and gradually bring them int a higher frame as they progress.

02-19-2004, 03:13 PM	#10
The Flying Moose Full Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 209	I think I understand what slc means. You don't want your horse to be on the forehand, the main idea is to be on the haunches, and then play with the reins.