'on the bit', 'in an outline', 'contact' - what do these terms actually mean?

[LeneHorse]

This is a bit of a numpty question, but do these phrases all mean the same, or are they more like different stages in a process? IE Do you start off by riding with a contact, then manage to get your horse 'on the bit' and eventually work in an outline. I know I always have some degree of 'contact' with the horse's mouth, but I have no idea if she's 'on the bit'. And I know she works in an outline during her lessons, so does this mean she's 'on the bit' as well? My instructor doesn't mention being on the bit - she tends to say take more contact or keep the contact.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this as I find it all very confusing.

 

[trendybraincell]

My understanding is that they go hand in hand, I will try to explain how I interpret them.

Contact should be a consistent, even feeling in the hand, the horse should go forward into both hands.

If your horse is working correctly through from behind then the outline should come naturally, as you should have that contact to push them into. If they are in a correct outline then they are on the bit, with the front of their face at a 90 degree angle to the ground.

Thats my quick and basic interpretation

 

[JanetGeorge]

A contact is just that - a contact. If you have NO contact with your horse's mouth, he will never be 'on the bit' - although a horse who is properly 'on the bit' can have the contact 'dropped' without falling apart!

A picture speaks a thousand words so - this is a horse who is working 'on the bit'. The rider momentarily dropped the contact - the horse stayed in a correct 'outline' for his stage of training (he's a 4 year old.)

But FAR too many people think 'an outline' only means head & neck - and that a horse can be put in 'an outline' with the reins only! A horse who is truly 'on the bit' IS in 'an outline' but he is also in front of the leg and going forward!!

This is the same horse, 6 months earlier in his training. He is being ridden 'with a contact' - and he is going forward - but he's not yet 'on the bit' or 'in an outline'.

 

[Cedars]

Exactly as above.

Contact = you can feel them at the end of your reins, but neither you nor them are yanking and pulling. Its just even.

Outline = its basically the shape they make, with head vertical, but it includes them pulling through from behind as well, so not just yanking their head into place, basically.

On the bit = a mixture of above - you have control, shes listening to you without you having to pull loads of rein up etc, and that they're focussed on the bit too. xx

 

[stencilface]

Having had a lesson yesterday, this is what my current interpretation is!

The most important thing is to have the horse working properly from behind, working at a speed that they can remain in balance, being 'on the bit' 'on a contact' tbh are just nothing phrases to me - as generally its interpreted as 'kick, kick, pull, pull' to get the horse's nose in

As soon as the horse asked to move forwards more than they can within their balance and capabilities they will fall onto their forehand, and regardless of how 'pretty' they look up front, will have their hindlegs out behind them instead of underneath. They will be towing themselves forwards with their front legs, rather than pushing from behind

I would say being on the bit, is the same as being in an outline. And on a contact is the horse taking the bit forwards, without towing.

JG can always say it best

 

[Jesstickle]

I think JG's pictures demonstrate it very nicely indeed.

If a horse is really working 'on the bit' the reins are not what are holding his head there, hence why a give and retake of the reins doesn't result in his head bobbing off anywhere. If you watch your horse trotting round the field you should see he naturally holds his head with his nose at the vertical and his poll as the highest point if he is active behind. That's because he's pushing himself along from his bum and that is where their heads tend to end up.

Working to a contact, to me, means the horse is happy to have an even feel on both reins and isn't backing away from you touching his mouth.

I am not good at explaining. I have some video of my horse in the field in natural self carriage though just to prove they do do it!

 

[Kokopelli]

I think everyone has described it well, but I really hate the term 'on the bit' as I think this encourages people to force the horses head down.
My RI uses the term 'to the bit' as it gets you to ride with a stronger leg to get your horse working from behind because you can't have a correct outline if your horse isn't going from behind.

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

JG's pictures illustrate the dfferences exactly. I prefer the term 'on the aids'. Just remember the dictum 'back to front' in all your training!

 

[MosMum]

Please excuse the ignorance here but.... why does it matter if a horse rides in an outline, is it strictly a show/evening term or is it actually helpful to the horse/rider?

 

[trendybraincell]

Please excuse the ignorance here but.... why does it matter if a horse rides in an outline, is it strictly a show/evening term or is it actually helpful to the horse/rider?

If you're a happy hacker or riding endurance then its not something thats going to concern you much...but for other disciplines such as dressage its VERY important

 

[stencilface]

TBH even for everyday happy hackers, I still think its important that a horse walks on properly, not dragging its heels as it walks along

 

[trendybraincell]

TBH even for everyday happy hackers, I still think its important that a horse walks on properly, not dragging its heels as it walks along

Oh yeah, I'm with you there. Personally I think even happy hacker should strike out well, but I meant they're noting going to be asking for the same sort of outline as someone schooling for competitive dressage

 

[stencilface]

Oh yeah, I'm with you there. Personally I think even happy hacker should strike out well, but I meant they're noting going to be asking for the same sort of outline as someone schooling for competitive dressage

Agreed

 

[MosMum]

Thanks guys, was wondering why I never heard some of the terms after several years on a cattle-horse ranch lol

 

[Sanolly]

I think working in some sort of outline is important as it strengthen the horses back muscles and makes it easier for them to carry us.

I have nothing to add to the earlier replies other than JG that grey is STUNNING!! I want him!

 

[LeneHorse]

thanks for all your replies. I'm a lot clearer now. It's the term 'on the bit' that confused me most! In my lessons it's very much about riding forward into a contact - the emphasis being on getting her working from behind and stepping under before we start worrying too much about what the front end is doing, rather than holding her in an outline with my hands. Hopefully we're heading in the right direction!

 

[Jesstickle]

sounds to me like you are.

Here is brown horse proving it is nothing to do with hauling in their heads. Not surprisingly he is the brown one!

 

[JanetGeorge]

I have nothing to add to the earlier replies other than JG that grey is STUNNING!! I want him!

He's not just stunning - but he's as close to bombproof on the road as ANY horse could be. And got a very decent pop in him too! (And funnily enough, he IS for sale!)

 

[babymare]

totally agree with JG explanation but will add that i was always taught dont worry about the front end at first concentreate on the back end - the engine so to speak - have an even light contact but have the horse moving forward off the leg with good steady rythum before start worrying about the outline - its always worked for me

 

[MrsHutt]

OK - so another 'numpty' question:

A couple of times I have been told that I have got the horse in a nice outline. I don't know what I did to get them into that outline!! What did I do?!