Horse on the bit?

[bubbledreamer]

Hello
My section D mare who is only 6 but green is difficult to get on the bit. Infact i have never been able to do it. She prefers a loose contact and if i ride her trying to get contact she tucks her head up and dips her back. Im thinking of investing in a flexi rein and chambon for when i lunge. Also when i ride loose reined she is so much more relaxed and stretches down but when i take up contact she becomes tense. Any ideas on how to help.

 

[Kenzo]

Your horse is still young even at 6 and you say she is green, so you could knock a few years of her if comparing her to a more advanced 6 year old if you get what I mean.

How long have you been riding her? has she always been ridden the way you are riding her?, have you done all the usual checks?(teeth, back, saddle) have you having regular lessons to make sure you are asking her correctly or at least how you should be riding a green 6 year old? how long have you being trying to get her 'on the bit'?

There is so much pressure on riders and young horses to be riding in a correct out line and be on the bit. Some horses find it easier than others, some nearly have it but not quite and some riders think because there horse is bending through the neck that there on the bit, if your horse is working long and low and is relaxed then don't knock it, that's a good thing as some can't even achieve that. How much rein are you takeing back, a horse with good rhythm and balance will come back to you and take a contact when he is good and ready, is your mare mouthing her bit? and what schooling exercises are you doing to encourage her rear wheel drive? so to speak your mare needs to be working all the way through from her hinds, through her back, neck, poll to mouth, a clinch in that chain will throw everything else out. Much better to create this way of going naturally without the use of training aids (not that I disagree with them). How responsive is she with your aids and transitions from halt to walk, walk to trot etc?

 

[bubbledreamer]

I have had her a year. I never bothered too much about on the the bit or anything but a friend whose pony is the same age but alot more agvanced said she is too behind! I will get her back checked. Yes i do have lessons i take her to the local riding school. She is extremely responsive, i never really have to nudge at all i just have to ask her with voice. Its only when shes excited that she throws her head in the air and rides with a very high head. She dosent really mouth the bit. When shes tired she works better as shes relaxed. Thankyou for your reply it was very helpful, its all quite new to me training! My last riding instructor just told me to hold tighter on the reins which i didnt agree with neither did my mare so i changed yards. Thankyou for your reply, ill keep you upated.