following horses mouth during canter, exercises to help with this please

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Quartz

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After some great tips on jumping exercises the other day (which I have started trying today) I am back to ask for some advice on following my horses mouth during canter (for dressage not for jumping). He stretches his head quite far when cantering and I find it hard to be soft with the hands and follow him, I always seem to go in the opposite direction!!! So some tips would be greatly appreciated, as saw a film of myself today and found it hideous to watch!!! Thanks
 
Firstly, make sure you have a nice deep bend at your elbow. If your arms are straight then your hands will be fixed. Try thinking of your elbow as the heaviest part of your arm.

Then relax and soften through your elbow and upper arm. Rather than artificially moving your hands with the horse's head, allow the horse's head to move your hands by making them lighter.

Part of the issue may actually stem from your seat. Unless you are sitting in balance on your horse and absorbing his movement, you will struggle to move your hands in time with his mouth. All of you needs to be moving in harmony with all of him. You may find that with some work without stirrups, perhaps some time on the lunge, your issue with your hands resolves itself as your seat improves :)
 
Thanks, that really makes sense. And I think you are spot on about my seat, its not very good at all and I am too stiff. I don't often do work with no stirrups as my horse will be OK, but then (I guess I tense up) he speeds up and decides he won't stop but will just go faster and faster, especially with other horses in the ring. So in fact have only done it twice in the last year!!! Will get a friend over to hold the lunge when I do it next as I've got a feeling my instructor won't be up for it as she would tell me to do it without the lunge.
 
i find it difficult to explain without seeing horse, v quick reply here (sorry!) but i've found it helpful to: keep elbows by side bent and connected to your rib cage, arms paralell to the ground, upper arm closed in as much as possible as this keeps your seat secure, no matter what the horse does. Knees loose/lower legs hang loose and straight (unless you need to apply an aid). lower back soft and hips open and soft swinging with horses movement, shoulders relaxed, core muscles strong. Although it sounds funny but if you work on your own seat you will naturally find it easier to follow horses movement, try to be relaxed and not tense otherwise it can be difficult- i find it helpful to imagine a nice tasty apple or carrot under my horses nose that he wants to eat, then you can follow that movement. You can also hold reins upside down as well as you may find that easier to follow.
 
It sounds like your problem is that your seat isn't strong enough - so you're having to use your reins to balance and so end up pulling the horse in the mouth.

I would suggest you work on strengthening your seat. Lunge lessons and working without stirrups will help. Can be in any pace. Also you might want to try Pilates to strengthen your core muscles - which when stronger should make it easier for you.
 
boxcarhorse said:
It sounds like your problem is that your seat isn't strong enough - so you're having to use your reins to balance and so end up pulling the horse in the mouth.

I would suggest you work on strengthening your seat. Lunge lessons and working without stirrups will help. Can be in any pace. Also you might want to try Pilates to strengthen your core muscles - which when stronger should make it easier for you.
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I have just got back from riding and did do quite a bit of work without stirrups. Not canter though, but in trot and walk. However I instantly found a difference when taking stirrups back and cantering. Actually, rather embarrassingly, but all the work experience girls cheered me and they all commented on how my bum actually stayed in the saddle and moved with the horse. Also noticed the difference it made for my horse, as he cantered around the whole ring more happily, no fighting, no excerlerating and a nice smooth transition back to trot.
Have also just dug out my pilates dvd yoga as definately need to work on core strength and flexibitlity. Must be my age!!!
 
Quartz said:
I have just got back from riding and did do quite a bit of work without stirrups. Not canter though, but in trot and walk. However I instantly found a difference when taking stirrups back and cantering. Actually, rather embarrassingly, but all the work experience girls cheered me and they all commented on how my bum actually stayed in the saddle and moved with the horse. Also noticed the difference it made for my horse, as he cantered around the whole ring more happily, no fighting, no excerlerating and a nice smooth transition back to trot.
Have also just dug out my pilates dvd yoga as definately need to work on core strength and flexibitlity. Must be my age!!!
Click to expand...

That sounds brilliant - well done you!
 
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