[SportPonyCrayzi]

Alright, so I got Mack about 3 years ago intending for him to be an eventer. At that time, he was the best horse I had ever ridden--he was pretty push-button. But, later, as I advanced and learned more things and become more involved with dressage, the whole "getting a horse on the bit" concept came into play. Now this is what I got mad at today.

Since I started getting into dressage, keeping Mack on the bit has been my biggest challenge. I've ridden some other horses, and believe me, they were so much easier! I also found out, that the owner before me had been trying to get him on the bit for 3 years and never could...at least not consistently. And I have been trying to get him to stay light in the bridle as well. I really want to get this horse to at least 2nd level...he has been such a good horse to me and has been just so underrated. I want to be able to get a horse like him up to that level.

Mack has lovley gaits, his conformation's not too bad, he's got lots of energy, is very supple for 18, and he's not a bad-tempered horse, but I am just getting so sick of working on the same thing over and over again and not really improving--it feels like I won't get ANYWHERE AT ALL. And for riding since I was 9, I really dont' want to stay at Training level forever.

So tonight I just snapped. I just got so angry! I didnt' beat him or anything, but I probably was not so nice to him with my hands--I didn't pull or jerk on him, but maybe I was just a bit too rough with him. So, I just got angry and kept going around the arena mauling at his mouth to try to get him to stay round.

Seriously, I'm losing totaly hope. 2 instructors and 3 people cant' get this horse to stay consistent in his frame. This is what he'll do: He'll stay round for a bit, but not use his hind end very well, and when I apply leg or want to turn, he'll throw his head up. And believe me, I'm not slacking off. I've worked my butt off. And I know that keeping a good frame takes a sort of constant "conversation" with the horse, and that transitions should help, counter bending, stretches, etc. should help, but it's not.

To keep him on the bit, I have to supple him with both hands alternating back and forth every single step, and he gets heavy too...seriously, my fingers were numb after the ride. And in transitions, he braces against the bit, and it takes forever to get him back. So, I supple, keep my hands quiet, but if I keep my hands quiet he just takes advantage of that. I tried experimenting with my hands and legs to find out that "recipe" but had no luck.

And I mean, this wasn't just tonight, this has been going on for...forever it seems (3 years with me)! And I'm starting to lose hope....I love this horse otherwise, I really do.

What do you guys think? Do you think that maybe I should get a new horse since dressage just might not be what's for him? Any advice?

What can I do to just relax and not get angry with him? I don't want to be mean, and I feel sorry for getting angry, but I'm just not getting anywhere with him. I dont' think he's up for retirement...he's 18 and has lots of energy...and he seems happy in his work--I try to mix things up so we're not just constantly doing dressage...so...I dunno .

Am I just being a brat? Does it normally take that long to get a horse to stay in a good frame without plunging onto his forehand? I know, it's not just your hands that it takes to get a horse on the bit. And I have an independent seat and hands, I'm feeding him right, he's been checked by the vet...I have no idea what I should do.

'So frustrating >.<. Sorry to rant, but I just had to get it out lol.

[ladida]

Isabel does this too. Try riding him long and low and letting him learn to hold his headset. He might have lost some muscle in his back too, or be sore from being ridding in contact all the time.

[SportPonyCrayzi]

I tried that . I do stretchy circles every time for my warm-ups...I spend about 15 to 20 minutes warming up. I also do this just for practice or when I feel he needs it. I also take him out on hacks, so...I dunno. He had his back checked by the vet and she said he was fine. But thanks .

[thistlecreek1]

down hill conformation? at all? maybe he's your training tool think how easy your next horse could be comparatively?

[Carly]

maybe its his age catching up to him? My 22 yr old TB mare was in AWESOME shape, acted like a 3 yr old.. would jump, do anything asked, go, go, go etc, etc.. you would NEVER have guessed she was 22 by her looks or her attitude... BUT one thing she could NO LONGER do was Collect up and stay on the bit consistentley. Think about how hard it can be on old bones and muscles!... its like asking your grandma to ski!!

[SportPonyCrayzi]

So I should sell him?

That's what I'm kind of asking.

The problem is that if I do sell him, I'd be totally horse-less! And that would completely KILL me!

He's on a joint supplememnt and senior feed...could a muscle supplement help???

[JBandRio]

Getting him on the bit isn't about your hands. It's about his hind end strength, to some degree his conformation, and your legs. From your descriptions, it actually sounds like he is simply not strong enough to carry himself properly. Lots of horses can do around doing things like lower level eventing, jumpers, hunters, etc, and not truly be strong enough in the right places to carry themselves in a manner suitable for higher levels.

What sort of "trainers" have worked with him?

[AutumnAttic]

if your not prepared to be patient, and consistant then i say yes, sell him. IF you are ready to work your butt off, without getting mad, then keep him and try you hardest everyday. It will pay off.

[JBandRio]

Just remember too, anger has no place on a horse. Step back and critically evaluate what is going on.

[Cara]

I've got a couple suggestions. 1) If you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated while riding (it happens to all of us) either let your horse walk out on a loose rein, and take some time to just cool off a bit before you work some more, or simply get off your horse (I've done this) if you feel you'll do something that could be bad. 2) you said you keep doing the same things over and over, this caught my attention, change it up a bit, if you're bored of doing something than most likely he's bored too. do something new - it's better for you and the horse and actually will improve your riding. Maybe find a book that has a lot of arena axercises so you can do something new and still work on acheiving your goal at the same time. But don't always focus on getting him into frame, maybe one or two times a week just go on a trail ride or set up a course that involves some small jumps as well as some western trail type obstacles (that could be fun). 3) It's going to take some time to teach him this, you're going to have to be very patient. If you don't want to deal with the long process of teaching your horse this difficult thing, then yes, I'd suggest maybe looking into a new horse. Another option though is possibly sending him to a trainer? I'd also suggest that you and him get some professional dressage lessons. Meanwhile when he supples up for just 3 seconds, imediatley release, reward him for small tries, apperently this is hard for him, so you need to help him.

GOod Luck!