How much contact?

Crazycob06

Crazycob06

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 December 2012
Messages
443
Visit site
Hi. When I first started riding my mare I thought I needed to be softer on her mouth so I rode with a lighter contact ( had the reins with no slack but no pressure on her mouth what so ever)

I find she is always pulling the reins through my hands and I think it is because she tries every trick in the book to evade the bit!

I have had several people tell me to shorten my reins and take more of a contact while I'm riding. I do not want to be constantly pulling on her mouth though.

She is a late broken 6 year old welsh mare with a lot to learn!

Am I being to soft on her? How much contact is normal and acceptable.
 
both my stallion and my gelding do this when they want me to take up more contact... not a hard contact by any means but so i can actually feel them at the end of the rein. try it and find out you wont ruin her mouth trying once :)
 
I have always been told that it is personal preference how light they are in your hand, some riders prefer a stronger contact than others however the horse should always take the rein forwards and down if offered (but not snatch it away). If she is snatching as an evasion I would suggest being slightly firmer might be the way to go so she realises that it won't get her out of working harder!
 
Yeah I am always having to rearrange my reins, I need to change them tbh, I have cheap horrible ones ATM with no grip!

So it sounds like I can afford to be a little firmer with her.

Thanks for the replies!
 
Is she snatching the reins to lower her head to the ground? If so, this is how they stretch the nuchal ligament and back muscles. As you mention she is green, her back muscles may not be quite strong enough. My boy did the same at this age. Work on it gradually. Dont let her take the mick but gradually increase the amount of time you ride her in a contact. Horses dont evade the bit for fun unless they have learnt it is a rewarding behaviour. You could try lunging in low loosish sidereins and see how she reacts. If all else fails, check she is happy in her bit and that it fits correctly.
 
Thats my biggest rider fault on my welsh d which is now causing problems in my jumping as she takes the rein away from me and then have to gather her up before next fence. Homework is to shorten reins, not restricting but have good contact for her to go into. Usually have little contact out hacking so there was head tossing to try and get the rein from me. Will see how we do.
 
Fimbacob said:
Is she snatching the reins to lower her head to the ground? If so, this is how they stretch the nuchal ligament and back muscles. As you mention she is green, her back muscles may not be quite strong enough. My boy did the same at this age. Work on it gradually. Dont let her take the mick but gradually increase the amount of time you ride her in a contact. Horses dont evade the bit for fun unless they have learnt it is a rewarding behaviour. You could try lunging in low loosish sidereins and see how she reacts. If all else fails, check she is happy in her bit and that it fits correctly.
Click to expand...

Sometimes, but I let her have that (not sure if that's right or not). She bends her neck and runs through her shoulder a lot in the school, when we hack now (she gets VERY strong on a hack) she goes behind the bit now more than bending her neck.

I am working on the evading with my instructor who thinks she is just stropping because I have now started to ask her to work! I agree, it's definitely in her character!
 
This sounds very familiar as my cob prefers to go behind the bit to evade. Have a bit person to make sure the bit is not too narrow as this was when he was worst. Im assuming teeth and back/saddle is checked and ok.
Allow her short moments to stretch down but ride her forewards thru this and then gather
 
The running thru the shoulder I cant comment on unless I have seen it, however if you trust your instructor, ask them about this and perhaps let them ride so they can feel what the horse is doing.
Good luck with it all, and when you solve the problem, theres no better feeling in the world...xx
 
Fimbacob I'm really looking forward to that feeling!

I have my instructor ride her at the beginning of each lesson and although she still tries to avades she is 10 times better than with me.
She is in a new fitted saddle since only buying her 3 months ago and has the dentist booked for beginning of feb. have to admit, not checked her back!
I do feel she is just testing me though as we are a new partnership and she is in the teenage years! Haha!
I will get her looked at to make sure though!

Thanks everyone!
 
Try a bitless bridle?
So many people talk about not being able to get 'contact' from their horse.. because their horse is in pain from the bit!
You'll be amazed how much nicer she is to ride bitless and how much more control you have! :)
 
Most likely!
I had no control over my horse because he was so distracted by the bit.. Never got contact and he'd grab the bit and pull me all the way home but he is so much better bitless! Keep trying to tell as many people as possible because no amount of gadgets will help. You just use your seat and legs more but it's amazing how responsive they are to it, wish more people would try!
 
My gelding does this and it is because of neck issues. He is an arab and his head carriage and the way he is built causes him to get a sore neck. I have to try to work him long and low and get him to stretch out.

My instructor was convinced it was stroppiness (he is no saint!) but I have the physio out every 6 months and his neck is always a problem.

I lunge in a fairly loose equi ami and do a lot of pole work in the school and always let him have a good stretch when he is starting to grab at the bit and he is improving.
 
You will get there Crazycob! Its a gradual process but all the more worth it in the end.
By all means try bitless. Think thats the next step I will take with my boy.
Take pride in the fact you are working out the best situation mske your horse the best she can be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top