Getting him to work in an outline?

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verient

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Ok, my pony is working nicely from behind and everything, but he just wont soften in front. I keep a quite a strong contact and make little vibrations down the rein. I do lots of transitions etc but he just wont soften. Had back & teeth checked.
 
I'm not convinced that keeping a strong contact is helpful in these cases, and if I was watching you I might suggest you lighten your hand, and then ride even more positively into it. It is very difficult to comment though though without seeing the horse being ridden, or even a photo.

The other question of course is whether his build and level of training will allow him to work in the outline you favour - he may simply be not ready or not able to produce what you want at this time.
 
Hmm. It's not like strong strong, just firm and holding I guess. Eventually he'll soften, it just doesn't feel right..

He's not very well schooled, I guess I'm sorta re schooling him? Don't think he's really worked in an outline before. He will go in a perfect outline in walk, just no other paces.
 
Sounds as though you have a brace, as in he doesn't understand that he should give to the pressure from your hands. You can do this from the ground - take both reins from over his neck and just put a bit of pressure on equally on both sides. Keep it there steady - don't increase it until the INSTANT you feel him lessen the pressure from his end, you lessen from yours. Do this over and over, until he will drop and soften, then it's time to do it from the saddle.
Don't keep more than the tiniest amount in your hand when he has relaxed his jaw and softened for you, otherwise you are teaching him to brace against you.
 
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