how to school a horse on the bit.

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crazycoloured

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Does anyone have any tips/advice on how to make a horse come on the bit/bridle. I have a 3 yr old that im schooling and she is really difficult to get on the bit she is fine in walk but as soon as we start to trot or canter she slightly pokes her head in the air and refuses to come on the bit. When she was away being broken the man who was breaking her had her on the bit the whole time. But since she has been home its been hopeless..
 
Im having lessons once a week from a instrustor but she isnt qualified and we seem to be managing. would it be worth getting someone else to teach as well as ride her for me. I fear i might be doing things
 
You're obviously not managing if you are asking how to ride a horse on the bit
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For a 3 yr old, I wouldnt really be doing much schooling anyway, they are simply not strong enough or balanced enough to go "on the bit" consistently. I would want her to be off my aids, and working without a fuss into a soft hand, and thats it.

Sorry I dont mean to sound rude, but it is very easy to mess a young horse up, so please if you don't know what you are doing, please either throw it out for a bit and let it grow up, whilst you have a lesson on something you can learn on, or get osmeone more knowledgeable to help you
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Good luck!
 
Hi Crazycoloured,

I'm posting links to a video by Olympian Belinda Trussell that you should watch, as well as three blog posts by Olympic coach Jane Savoie. some of the content will be too advanced for where you are now, but it's all extremely helpful.

These will all give you lots of ideas, but I can help with some right here.

I know this is going to sound a bit negative and I apologize in advance if I am being a bit blunt.

From your post, it sounds as though you are learning how to get a horse on the bit at the same time your horse is learning. This is a very difficult (almost impossible) combination, because having a horse consistently on the bit is all about "feel" and it takes a long time and very good instruction to acquire it.

I highly suggest that you find a really experienced coach to help teach both you and your horse.

With a three year old horse, you want a soft and steady connection with the horse moving forward from your leg aid into your soft and steady contact. Watch the Belinda video to visualize it.

With each rein you should feel like you are evenly holding the hands of a child. The horse's hind legs should feel like they are constantly coming forward in front of your own leg.

If your current trainer is not qualified, please do yourself and your horse a great favour and find someone different to help you.

I hope this is helpful!

http://www.barnmice.com/video/ask-the-olympian-week-11

http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blogs/using-your-hands-before-your

http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-get-your-horse-on-the

http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blogs/the-half-halt-how-to-get-your
 
KatB is right, please don't try to ride a 3 yr old "on the bit", you'll ruin her. a lot of people on here will agree with this.
freely and happily going forward into a nice contact, and keeping her balance, and being obedient, are enough to expect of a 3 yr old.
if someone had a 3 year old to back and ride away from me, and presented it "on the bit", i would be horrified.
her muscles really aren't strong enough for her to maintain that kind of outline. for her sake, please don't ask it.
does she still have wolf teeth? has she been in work for a while? 3 yr olds need lots of holidays to grow up. please don't rush her, the early years are vitally important, she's still growing, her bones aren't finished growing yet for starters. ask your vet if you don't believe me, PLEASE.
 
I definitely agree with those saying that you are asking a little too much, too soon. I have seen several good horses ruined this way - it took me months to reschool my last horse who had been forced on to the bit as a three year old, before she had really understood the basics. As a result, she had lost all her natural balance and rythmn and was afraid of her mouth. Take your time and yes, do get someone more experienced to help you with this.
 
ditto what the others have said really. the grey in my siggy was pushed a bit too much during his early years i reckon and when i got him it meant that he was mr overbent all the time and rather fussy in the contact. it got better but was one of the reasons for selling him in the end. are you sure that your horse was 'on the bit' when it came back from being broken? if you aren't sure how to get them on the bit then its possible she wasn't actually on it- could have been overbent or something else. sorry, don't want to sound rude but i do think you need an experienced trainer to help you
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Again ditto everyone elses comments, sorry?!
I would definatly get an experienced and qualified instructor. Have a look on the BD and BE websites as they have the listed of local trainers in your area. That is how I found mine and she is the best thing I have ever spent horsey money on!!
Also my horse was broken in ireland as a 3/4yo and I hate to think how they did it?! Ive always had a hard time correcting her self carriage and when my instructor rode her she said immediatly she had been broken with draw reins as she is either overbent or leans when tired. (God I had those things!!!) My instructor could tell straight away because she is experienced, but it means we have spent session after session getting her to work properly.
Anyway good luck with the new instructor hunt and remember 'it takes as long as it takes' dont be in any hurry with your youngster you certainly have her age on your side and no bad habits to contend with.
 
I agree with the comments above on having an experienced instructor to help me with my young horse. I have found an instructor locally who is fantastic and is used to producing young horses for clients.He is going to ride her for me so she has a better person on top of her not that im a complete novice i might add. I have ridden various horses but youngsters are a dark subject for me schooling wise.I had a 4 yr old that i had broken in and i turned him away to grow for the winter then brought him back to work and it was the biggest mistake i did. He grew from 16.1 to 17 hands and was a nightmare when i started riding him.but with the correct tuition we overcam theses problems needless to sat he was put to sleep weeks after due to a colic attack.
 
All my youngsters are ridden in a soft outline, it helps them to develop the correct muscles and way of going. Any problems with over bending or leaning on bridle are corrected as and when/if it happens. I think it depends very much on the person riding them and how much feel etc they have for the correct way of going at the horses current level.

If you can do it in walk but not any other pace then I suspect your are not asking correctly. Ditto everyone elses comments get an experienced instructor to help you.
 
For some reason I cannot edit my previous post. But it was supposed to say 'god I hate those things' regarding draw reins. Not that I had them! ekk!!
 
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