[ILubHorsies]

So i rode this Dressage horse named Theo for the first time yesterday and it was tough. He was NOT a school horse, so it was a big change. Mostly, though, i had trouble keeping him up and off his forehand and off my hands. so i was just wondering how i could try and get him off of his forehand. Also, i had a hard time getting him to canter, he would instead just lengthen his stride. That probably is related to not being able to get him off of his forehand and then not asking clearly enough. So does anyone have any suggestions for getting him off of his forehand? Here's a video, my hands are all over the place, but its partly because i was trying to get him off of my hands. Obviously i was not doiung it right, which is exactly why i could use everyone's help!
Thanks,
Hannah!

YouTube - Theo

[JBandRio]

Horses need your hands to be still so they know where to find the contact. If he doesn't know where it will be, or runs into it suddenly, HE will be all over the place

I couldn't see where I thought you were trying to get him to canter, but I did see how your body positioning could be contributing to the problem. Upper body inclined too much, and lower leg too loose. Also, if he's a typically trained Dressage horse, he was likely taught to canter off your inside leg, where you were likely taught with the outside leg back.

[ILubHorsies]

I was trying to get him to canter before the video was started. So basically i need to keep more contact with my leg and sit up more? Ill try it next time we ride.