On the bit!

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cobstar

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Can anyone help me? I have a 7 year old middleweight cob and I am trying to teach him to go on the bit. He is not fighting me in any way, he just does not know what I mean when I ask him to go on the bit. I have tried the classing riding long and low and this helps for a few steps but he is quite strong and either pulls against me or leans on my hands. I make sure that when he does come down I soften my hands sufficiently as a reward. He is very amenable so I don't want to try anything too strong but does anyone have any ideas to help here? Or should I just persevere with what i am doing at the moment.
 
Sounds like you need to use more leg. I'd get an instructor to help you as it's really difficult to give advice without seeing the problems you're having
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As you say, perseverence is the key... its not going to happen over night.

A different approach that some people find helpful is to forget so much about the front end and concentrate more on the hind end - the 'engine.' It sounds like hes not coming off your leg, so lots of transitions, collection and extension should get him sat on his hocks and tracking up, with lots of impulsion and balance (not rushing, though.) This will then aid you in getting him in a secure contact between leg and hand.

Try to remember that the term 'on the bit' doesnt entirely refer to the horse having his head stuck between its chest. It refers just as much to a horse working correctly over its back with engagement, suppleness, a relaxed topline and swinging quaters.

Good luck!
 
i agree about using some leg to make sure he's engaging, and then perhaps try moving the bit slightly (ideally using outside hand only, keeping inside hand still) to ask him gently to soften at the poll and jaw, and when he does, just still your hand, don't change the contact. sometimes if you soften to reward immediately, you give away what you've just got and confuse the horse even more.
what bit are you using, and have his teeth been done by someone good?
 
Thanks for your comments. I currently have him in the stage 1 Myler bit and get his teeth done by a fully qualified equine dentist every six months so I can rule any teeth problems out. Someone has suggested I try a bit with keys etc. in the centre that he can play with but he goes so well in the one he has I am not sure about messing aroung new ones, unless I simply move up a stage in the Myler bit range?
 
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He is not fighting me in any way, he just does not know what I mean when I ask him to go on the bit.

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My dad and granddad, who were exceptional horsemen, always started youngsters off in draw reins to introduce the idea that a squeeze with the hand in combination with the leg means that they soften and give to you. It suggests to them the correct shape and response. You don't use them to pull their head in, just as suggestion so they understand what you're asking with minimum pressure. I know a lot of people don't agree with the use of them (you need to be a fairly experienced and confident rider with quiet hands and a feel for when to bring them into play and when to just ride off the snaffle). However assuming you are riding from your leg and have sympathetic hands I think a few sessions in draws can do wonders for getting the idea of what you're asking into his head. The key is suggestion and then give when he does as you ask.
 
lol thank you, i was worried i was going to get shot down in flames for mentioning the D word!! I have watched my dad ride in them many times and got on afterwards, and the difference he has made has been quite astonishing. I don't pretend to be that skilled, but I have certainly seen first hand how when used properly they can be very beneficial, and have used them myself to good effect.
 
which mouthpiece are you using, there's quite a few in the Myler Stage 1. bit with keys, no no no, that's for very early bitting of youngsters, never for riding, and not very good even for that imho! i'd have him in a comfort snaffle (either barrel) with, ideally, full cheeks or Ds.

re: draw reins - okay, i'll put my hand up, i'm one of the most vociferous opponents of them. when used as described above, i agree, they can be fine and they can be very good at giving the horse the idea of what you're asking for.
he huge trouble is that most people (95% i reckon!) don't use them like that. when you've witnesses people winching horses' heads in with them, and even hacking out in just draw reins (i swear to god i've seen this, in totally amateur hands. disgusting), and then thinking they're doing a great job cos they're sitting up there with no leg on and the horse's head and neck pulleyed in to exactly where they think it looks pretty... sorry, going off on one there again!
 
Interesting reading this. I guess draw reins are rather like numerous other 'gadgets' that have a bad reputation due to people who don't understand or use them correctly. How many people shove a pair of spurs on because their horse doesn't respond to the leg, unaware that they have either deadened their horse to the aid in the first place with constant flapping, or because they are giving the aid incorrectly by digging just their heel in.

(gosh i sound so cynical
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Personally i wouldnt be advising anyone to ride in draw reins when non of us actually know what the standard of riding is like of the OP.

I dont mean that in a rude way, just that drawreins used in correctly can cause a lot of problems.

Like i said, the OP needs to go to a decent instructor to have help, its near on impossible to advise on a topic like this when we have no idea of the standard of riding or what the OP actually is/isnt doing when asking for 'on the bit'(again, not intended to be rude in any way).
 
No offence taken at all PG, I agree it is difficult to tell without seeing what is going on. I would also agree with you that lessons would be the first port of call to assess why the problem is occurring and the trainer could then advise on whether they feel an aid would be suitable for the OP and her horse and assist her in using them correctly.
 
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