getting horse to work in a more consistant outline...

[wench]

ok horse is 16.3 tb, no physical problems, back teeth saddle all checked and ok. doesnt work naturally in an outline, no matter how many transitions circles serpentines that you do. Only shows some semblance of it when asking for (rubbishy) shoulder in.

However, horse works properly from behind (most of the time), and if you ask him to drop his head, he will do, for three strides or so, and then back to pokey nosed. Ask again, and head will drop, again for a short time, and then back up again. Dont want to constantly be nagging him, and try and get him doing it a little bit longer. any ideas?

 

[Flight]

Hi,

what bit do you ride him in? My horse hates jointed bits and keeps her head up, she also would drop head for couple of strides but then lift it again, if in jointed bit but as soon as I tried her in a straight bar happy mouth wilkie she lowered head and worked beautifully without having to ask at all. Have a play around with some different bits and see if any of them make a difference?
Good luck

 

[kate081]

just posted a similar thing in competition riders- freaky. I'm gonna get a straight bar now & try it! Def worth a go. Mine is nodding coz she accepts the contact for a few strides, then comes above it so I half halt & she comes back on it. Looks awful as I found out watching my dressage test back on Sunday!! She's quite fussy in her mouth so fingers crossed it'll cure it. Is yours a loose ring one?

 

[wench]

he is in a myler bristol snaffle (its not a dr bristol), just a french link snaffle, but a little thinner than normal

 

[RuthP]

Might not be any use but my horse hates french links- they actually put quite a lot of pressure on the tongue- the thicker bits of the link slide forward and press down- hope that makes sense! The best, similar bit I've found is one with one copper roller, peanut thing in the middle instead- the pressure is the same all along the link, unlike the french link. I hope that makes some sort of sense I cant expain it properly!
Also try rding forward into a fairly stong contact and when he gives relax and lighten your hand, give with your inside hand a little bit to reward.

 

[wench]

well i have a mullen mouth and a penut snaffle, so will try both of them. When he does do what i want give with my hands, but doesnt seem to make any difference to him!