Correct outline

[HollieIndia]

Hello, so my basic question is of anyone has any tips to help me receive the correct contact and roundness I want from my horse. I'm not big on using gadgets as I don't like to feel the horse has to have their head strapped down, I want to be able to build the contact, improve top line and make sure the horse isn't just resting on the bit. I have a recent 5 year old mare, that has excellent scope and movements but when you're riding she doesn't seem to translate it, her contact is fine in walk and halt but as soon as you pick up the transition she can work, but then decided not to. I want to focus on the contact before I ask for fancy movements. No back or mouthing issues, also ridden in a French link loose ring bit. Normal nose and. All ideas welcome! Thank you!

 

[be positive]

Correct contact will only come once the horse is moving forward from behind, able to balance itself, has the correct muscles and understands what is required, strapping the head in does not equate to contact, to some extent it will rest on the hand until it is able to be in self carriage which takes time to establish. She is probably still struggling to find her balance in trot, not deciding she cannot work but unable to maintain her balance well enough to remain in the outline you desire, rather than focusing on the contact try encouraging her to go forward and lift through her back, find her natural rhythm and accept that she will gradually seek the contact if you are offering her a nice quiet hand.
Lots of transitions to help her gain her strength, pole work is useful to engage the hind quarters and also occupy the brain, plenty of variety to build up how much she can cope with whilst being patient as she will only be able to manage to maintain the frame you are trying to achieve for short periods of time as she gains the muscle required.