Getting a consistent contact

[Darcey22]

Hi all
I have owned my horse for 2 months now. After a break of 20 years, I am struggling to get a consistent contact without my horses head see-sawing…
Is there a fool proof way to get her on a contact and then stay there?

 

[Patterdale]

Think of it like holding a toddlers hand across the road.
When they’re pulling to run into traffic, the hold is firm and doesn’t let go - but never jerky or rough.
When they’re walking sweetly by your side, the hold is light - but still always there, so that they know you are holding them and they can’t make a break for it.

If you are always rough and pulling, they are only going to fight against you more. Its just the same.

We can all hold a child’s hand without hurting them or letting them run into traffic, therefore we can all hold a consistent contact.

However, although stuff like this might help, you really need someone competent on the ground.

 

[sbloom]

A couple of thoughts -
Unsteady hands can result if the zones of the body aren't working well (saddle, fitness, tightness/dysfunction) - the hips should be flexible, the middle stable, the shoulder girdle flexible, and if it's not then hands won't be steady.
The horse needs to understand contact, ideally from the ground, especially if you're a bit "green on green" - I would look at one of the really good groundwork programmes like Balance Through Movement Method or a classical dressage one. The horse needs to learn that reaching out towards the contact will help him balance and will feel the best.

 

[twiggy2]

Try to think of it slightly differently, don't try to 'get her on a contact' it sounds rather fixed and restricting think more of riding her forward 'into' the contact, think more elastic.
It really is not something than can be explained in words but created between horse and rider and many times an experience and patient set of eyes on the ground guiding the rider and partnership are needed.

 

[magicmoments]

Try to think of it slightly differently, don't try to 'get her on a contact' it sounds rather fixed and restricting think more of riding her forward 'into' the contact, think more elastic.
It really is not something than can be explained in words but created between horse and rider and many times an experience and patient set of eyes on the ground guiding the rider and partnership are needed.

Totally agree. I'm certainly no expert, but I know that when we are working well, it happens by itself, it's still a work in progress of course, but my mare had years of being brought back, so I always try and maintain contact, and think hands forward and up. Too many riders have hands back and down. Looks simply awful and must be really uncomfortable.