Help with overbent horse

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JenniferB

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Hi guys,

Could do with some help from you lovely lot today. Some of you might know I got a new horse last week, and while I understand it's going to take time for us to 'click' I'm finding one thing in particular about him very frustrating, mainly because I don't quite know how to sort it!

He's only 5 and quite babyish anyway (can be a bit 'mouthy', tips his head to the side etc) but my big issue is when I'm trotting - he works away for a while then starts to go seriously low and overbent. I don't know if this is a product of his previous education (it screams 'training aid' to me) and it doesn't really strike me as an evasion tactic as such, but his head comes in, my contact goes slack and we totally lose impulsion. I've tried lifting my hands, softening, chasing him on etc and this works to a certain extent but don't want to get after him too much as he's only a baby and really doen't know any better, but any bright ideas would be welcome!

Thanks in advance x
 
How does he feel to ride when he's not overbending? It sounds as if he has not been ridden forward, and indeed as you say perhaps with a 'training aid' (grrr). Some feel very, very downhill if they've had their heads winched in by something, even if they're riding forwards.

Anyway, I would suggest two things. Firstly, get after him a bit on the lunge, working forwards (into some not-too-tight side reins, if you don't mind using them, after a few sessions) - that way he won't associate ridden work with being chased, but it gets him used to working forwards nicely. If the head drops back on the lunge, lift the rein, encourage him forwards, and ask for a few yielding steps out.

The second thing comes on from the first; elevation comes from working forwards (i.e. impulsion) and hindleg engagement. So, riding wise, try to introduce some gentle flowing leg-yield type movements. Changing reins, a few yielding steps across the diagonal; spiraling in on a circle and gently yielding out, those kind of things. Again, lift the inside rein without restricting the head if he starts to tuck up, and ride him strongly forwards when he does.

Just a couple of ideas to get you started... Good luck!
 
Wow thanks GreyBadger that gives me a lot to think about! He's a bit dull off the leg on the flat even when he's not tucking his chin to his knees, but he's very immature and weak so that's probably to be expected. He's got a good back end (which he's proving to me with some lovely playful bucking this week) but he needs time to mature and grow into himself. Wakes up no end when a jump is involved mind you!

I'll try lunging him for a bit tonight and see how that goes, fingers crossed!
 
the suggestions above sound good to me :) - other than that - is he happy in his bit? might be worth trying different bits and you might find one that hes happy to take/reach for the contact in... worth a try
 
Posie_honey I'm actually waiting for another bit to arrive. When I tried him he went in a Myler but he didn't seem super happy in it , tried him in a chunky smaffle with a peanut and now in a JP mouthpiece Fulmer - waiting for a rubber one to arrive. He's had a fair bit of dental work done apparently which probably isn't helping matters, but he seems to accept the bit readily enough. It's almost as if he thinks he's doing the right thing - he softens, rounds but then completely disappears from me! Thinking he's been broken in a particular manner...
 
Ive not read the replies, but when i had my youngster he would get over bent when he was tired as he wasnt strong enough over his back. Sounds like yours. I would do lots of short bursts of trot work, but focus on getting him forwards and quick off your leg into a forwards hand. The hindleg needs to be quick (which dosent mean fast) for him to work properly over the back and into a contact. Try using raised trotting poles and do lots of hill work - this will help strengthen him over his back more. Babies take time though so be prepared to have to wait a good while whilst he strengthens up.
 
Tempi said:
Ive not read the replies, but when i had my youngster he would get over bent when he was tired as he wasnt strong enough over his back.
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Yes, they often do, and in general I don't worry about it too much as I know I am very allowing with the hand, whilst still asking for politeness. Ridden sessions with the 3 y/os last about 20mins at most.

Tempi said:
but focus on getting him forwards and quick off your leg into a forwards hand. The hindleg needs to be quick (which dosent mean fast) for him to work properly over the back and into a contact.
Click to expand...

Yes exactly. The beginning of leg yield can then progress into a sharper response, which quickens this hindleg response without rushing the horse.

However, the main thing (as in the quote above) is to demand the horse responds to a leg aid. It doesn't matter if he does the wrong thing if you put an aid on, as long as he does 'something' (and if the wrong thing happens, you don't get cross, but happy something happened, and re-assess what you or he did wrong, and try to correct it calmly). But, if you put an aid on, and nothing happens, give him a tap with the stick to remind him to listen.

Also, with regards to bitting, when I'm breaking in I use a french link full cheek snaffle (full cheek helps with direction when they're very green and wiggly). I then move to the Sprenger KK french link loose ring snaffles; lovely bits.
 
Thank you Tempi and GreyBadger (again!). I'm trying not to work him for too long as I'm aware that he does tire quickly, although he's 5 he is very weak still. Doesn't help that it's been super dry so our school has gone a bit deep (not often that I'm praying for rain lol!). I'm liking the bit with the full cheeks, definitely helps with our very wobbly steering! He's not got back shoes on so avoiding road work but am eternally grateful for the gallops at the yard - big long continuous hill with a steeper bit at the top - might try to do a bit more work up there as he's definitely more 'forward' out on the track than in the school and could still play with a bit of leg yielding etc as it's plenty wide enough. Will give the raised poles a bash too, and try to get him sharper off the leg. It's funny because I've ridden babies all winter for someone else, but because this one is my own I'm nit-picking to the nth degree!
 
iw ould say, yes 20 minutes maximum. and when he does overbend, try lifting your hand slightly so as to keep the contact and lots of leg!! also try lots of bending, leg yield etc. keep him intrested, try schooling out hacking maybe round fields or something.
 
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