Teach a horse to stretch

BOE · 11-07-2008, 06:41 PM

I bought a new horse. He is young (4) but he was ridden in draw reins. I don't want to use them. First I would like to teach him to streach and not fall on the forehand. To achieve it I am trying to soften his jax, I just walk, light contact, pushing him forward and using only one rein at the time. Any suggestions? Thanks

JBandRio · 11-07-2008, 07:38 PM

You've got all the right steps

It can take a long time to fix this, assuming the issue you're dealing with is him curling behind the contact.

Jrchloe · 11-07-2008, 07:42 PM

You could also loosen your caveson so you can fit like 2-3 fingers (depending on the holes) in between the caveson and nose. This can help with the jaw loosening.

shaiarabs · 11-07-2008, 08:17 PM

just as you are mate, start with it at the walk and make sure you give him a clear reward then it will flow on into the rest

BOE · 11-08-2008, 06:38 AM

Thank you all.

JBandRio · 11-08-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrchloe

You could also loosen your caveson so you can fit like 2-3 fingers (depending on the holes) in between the caveson and nose. This can help with the jaw loosening.

Great idea

I actually started mine without a caveson

And, I regularly school without one. I don't want the caveson being able to hide any issues the horse is trying to work through, even if it's loosely (or even properly) adjusted

Some horses get really, really tight in their face and head. My OTTB mare especially, wow. I spend a good bit of time gently massaging her face and ears, doing a lot of myofascial work.

11-07-2008, 06:41 PM	#1
BOE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 585	Teach a horse to stretch I bought a new horse. He is young (4) but he was ridden in draw reins. I don't want to use them. First I would like to teach him to streach and not fall on the forehand. To achieve it I am trying to soften his jax, I just walk, light contact, pushing him forward and using only one rein at the time. Any suggestions? Thanks

11-07-2008, 07:38 PM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,004 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	You've got all the right steps It can take a long time to fix this, assuming the issue you're dealing with is him curling behind the contact. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

11-07-2008, 08:17 PM	#4
shaiarabs Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manjimup Western Australia Posts: 973	just as you are mate, start with it at the walk and make sure you give him a clear reward then it will flow on into the rest __________________ It doesn't matter how high you are on the food chain, once you inflict pain you FAIL AS A HORSEMAN.

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11-07-2008, 07:42 PM	#3
Jrchloe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 329 Images: 5	You could also loosen your caveson so you can fit like 2-3 fingers (depending on the holes) in between the caveson and nose. This can help with the jaw loosening.

11-08-2008, 06:38 AM	#5
BOE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 585	Thank you all.