Contact

[Walrus]

This may sound really quite silly but I am having a huge problem with contact. My horse is a baby which doesn't help but I think this is a general thing that has been hidden away as I've never tried to school at a higher level or train a youngster before and is now becoming apparent as it's really affecting my youngsters development and becoming very obvious that it's our sticking point. I don't seem to be able to understand what is meant by having a contact. I know all the text book phrases etc. and have had 2 or 3 experienced friends / instructors try and help out!

Firstly I didnt have enough of a contact, I let my outside hand slide forwards and really concentrated on being "soft" as my horse was a baby. Now it seems that although I was "soft" I was also ineffective! If I take a hold I feel like I'm just getting into a battle of strength (with a tank) and he resists (think camel) and fights against me, if I try to squeeze the inside rein sometimes it works. Also, I know I have to "give" when he does go soft, does this mean really give as then we don't stay where we're supposed to be and have to start again??

Does anyone have any ideas about how to understand this better - I've had it described as your arms being a continuation of the reins and you're having a conversation down them but to be honest I'm still not sure. Should I feel something? Lots? Constantly the same?

We have plenty of power coming through from behind but it all seems to go wrong at the front - circles help but I know I have this underlying contact problem - I can't even get consistancy down a lunge line!!

Clemantine juice and belgian buns if you get this far!!

 

[little_critter]

I'm probably not best placed to advise but as I understand it when he softens you should also soften (ie stop nagging / asking). He may at the moment go back to resisting but he should soon learn that he gets a quieter life if he stays soft.
Until about May I didn't understand 'contact' properly but then I had a series of really good lessons.
I was told to hold the outside rein and do small 'choo-choo train' movements with your inside rein, the movement should start from your elbow and its a forward movement, not a backward one (ie they are tiny little 'gives') When your horse softens sit quietly - this is his reward.
This turned my mare from ploughing along on the forehand to holding her own head up in a reasonable outline.