Any tips on preventing overbending please

[Rache]

My horse tends to over bend a fair bit, ive only had him just over 2months and due to back problems he's been off work for 6weeks; so im now bringing back to work. He's prevoius owner has very hard stiff arms and used to ride him alot in draw reins without using any leg to push him forwards. so its left my boy tucking his head in a fair way, I had a few lessons before buying him and got a few tips then on how to ride him out of this prosition, but just wondering if you offer my any more.
Ive just been walking out for the first few weeks back in the saddle and he's fine on a long-ish rein but i need to build up the muscels over his back, rump and lighten the fore hand. He can also be a little sharp so at times I need to pick up a contact and this is when he tucks his head in. Ive been doing lots of transitions out on hacks but at the min I dont have the use of a school.
Ive also let him have his head then gentally asking for a bend, which works for a bit, but he finds this hard so been do it little and offten. As he's not up to have lessons yet is there any thing else I could be doing to start him off so it will help in the long run.
Lessons to start at the end of next month.
thanks for any advice ive had an over bender before

 

[tallyho!]

I think where possible you need him to go forward, give him his hindquarters back. Work on loose contact ask for more active paces. This will take a while but because he's been 'shortened' in front he evades by tucking his chin in. You'll have to teach him to listen to seat aids more so to walk-halt transitions using seat and legs only this week and see how you go. Remember to keep walk active on a loose rein...

 

[Rache]

He's walk is really active naturally, he really does step out well. As much as possible I give him his head but at times like riding down roads or past cattle I need to keep a hold of him as he will shoot off, so as soon as i pick up the reins he's head comes right in. As for listening to seat aids we are getting some where near, he really impressed me the other day managed to do trot-halt transition just by squeezing my bum, so chuffed, but as soon as any reins are touched he tucks in his head, at times it feels like he's touching his chest