lifting a horse off the forehand

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mole

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my pony needs to lift herself off her forehand and use her back end underneath her more.

are there any exercises that can help this? also what bits have an uplifting effect?

thanks
 
sorry i know ur thing says PM about the saddle but I cant work out how to do it! I have a bates 17inch dressage saddle for sale in perfect condition, only been used 5 times or something ridiculous?
 
lots of circles. nothing beats a circle! smaller it is, harder they have to work and bring the hind under. get her moving off your inside leg too. people forget that one alot. do a bit of half pass from quarter track to outside track.
 
Hi Mole,

This is really important...

To get your horse off the forehand you do not use your hands.

So as long as you have a properly fitting, comfortable bit, you don't need anything different in your horse's mouth.

PLEASE watch this video to understand how horses come up in front, as focusing on the horse's mouth the get her off the forehand will only create a hollow back.
http://www.barnmice.com/video/ask-the-olympian-week-11

You don't mention the age of your pony, but age-appropriate exercises under the watchful eye of an experienced coach will get you on your way. Depending on the age of your pony, you will be incorporating transitions, shoulder in, leg yield into your program.
 
Riding lots of transitions using your legs and weight aids(all types including within the pace). Lots of half halts again with leg, all the time encouraging your horse to step up and under. It will take time and patience and a lot of repetition. You have to be strict with yourself and only accept good quality transitions, you may find the horse starts to feel worse as he/she learns how to rebalance the weight.

A bit will not help your horse to really carry itself and come off the forehand - it will only give you a false outline and feeling.
 
Hi Mole

Getting your horse to work from behind is i.e. lifting her forehand will take time no matter what exercises you use so don't expect quick results. Fight the temptation to lift her by using your hands. She will need to develop the strength behind by repeating exercises such as transitions between paces and within paces again and again. Horses don't naturally carry their weight behind so this strength and way of going has to be developed if it is rushed you are likely to end up with a sore or injured horse. The best thing would be to get yourself an instructor that is looking at you and your horse's long term development (not quick fixes) to help you develop the feel of a horse working from behind and up and over its back.
 
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