A horse poking nose out in front of him

Klh1113

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This 15-16hh horse pokes its nose out while riding and keeps its head low, but not too low... A bit above the withers. I was just wondering what can prevent the horse from poking is nose out in front of them?
 
Are you an experienced rider or still learning the basics? Do you have a steady contact with her mouth, and does she accept and respond to it? Does she move forward actively from your leg?
 
As it says on the question, I was just wondering because lots of horses do that while others are working on the bit.
 
Yes she does. But not always she could be a bit lazy but will go with bit of additional aid if nessery. I don't think I'm experienced as I've only been riding for a year. But I learnt some of the basics and I'm currently working on related distance and jumping 1/2m wide oxers / jumping up to 1.20m.
 
Ok, I see, there are people on here that could explain it better, however I will give it a go.
if your horse is poking out her nose she is not in contact. There are loads of reasons she could be doing this and it is important that if she is in pain anywhere that you work that out and sort it. If my horse was doing this I would.......
have a saddler out to check her saddle
someone to check her back
a vet/dentist to check teeth
Once I had worked out she was not in pain I would look to how I was sitting, am I sitting crooked? This is not a dig at your riding it is just something you have to keep on working at. I have been riding 35 years and still have regular lessons.
You sound like you are doing well, have achat with the person teaching you, having a horse in a contact is useful and makes your job a lot easier,
 
great. thank u so much, I'll try but she's not my horse but a schoolhouse that I lease so I'll ask the owner of the barn.
 
To be honest, it's probably your lack of riding skill at this point in your riding career :). While some horses are very soft to the contact and/or naturally carry themselves well (and others tend to be on the forehand or run hollow), a good rider can get most horses working well. Sounds like your horse is a bit stiff, probably lacking good schooling, and not being asked correctly (by you) to work forward and into the contact.

Feel like I should mention that it's not normal to be jumping such large fences after such a short time. Hopefully it was a bit of an exaggeration :). If not, are you sure you are being taught along the right lines? Good basics are worth a lot and will set you up for life!
 
Thanks! Everyone's says that haha... I think it was. In my lesson the instructor puts up 70cm first and then goes up to 1m.
And yes that could really be true. But that horse is always poking her nose out even with anyone else. Haha
 
If you are having lessons, perhaps you should ask your instructor for advice - I'm sure it is probably a bit easier for him/her to advise as they are watching.

Good luck!
 
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