on the bit

I

imyourstalker

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I am trying to get my cob to go on the bit and hold his head properly, as at the moment it just sort of swings around all over the place, not high or anything, but unattractively. any ideas on how I can get him to go 'on the bit' or whatever you call it?
 
Hi firstly, before you worry about what the head end is doing, you need to be sure that the back end is doing what it should. IE that the quarters are engaged, really your best bet is to find a good instructor so that they can see what is going on and then give you advice from the ground. Just dont force his head down or fix your hands because you will end up with a false out line, and not alot going on behind. hope that makes sense.
 
Ok thanks for your help
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I've tried forcing the head down before, and we just end up arguing lol!! Will not be doing that again!
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Getting a horse to work correctly or on the bit as it is commonly called isn't jsut a case of getting their head in the right place, you need to train your horse to use his hind legs correctly and to become relaxed and supple through his back too. You need to teach him to move off your leg correctly (lots of circles and leg yeilding will help this) and then you can think about asking him to come round in front. If your horse is swinging his head, I would suggest it is because your hands aren't still and you are trying to force him to come round. You need to put your leg on before you ask your horse to come round to establish the bend, then I would suggest you carry your hand wide and low - if it helps you to keep them still at this stage (as pulling your hands around will make the horse resist more) then use a balance strap or rest them on the horses neck. Then you need to use small viabrations on the rein (similar to playing with a stress ball) that suggest your horse will flex at the poll and relax his jaw which is when he will become round. When the horse does soften, you need to keep your hands still and give very slightly as this is his reward and will help him to understand in future what you are asking him.

Difficult to fit it all in to a forum message but i hope that helps!
 
to work on the bit first he needs to work forwards with impulsion from behind - best thing is to have a lesson with an instructor and they could tell you exercises etc to help you get this. use lots of transitions - literally loads of them so it makes him sit more on his hocks. keep an even contact, and try not to force his head down otherwise he will just hollow - it will take a while so don't be disheartened if it takes a few weeks or even months.

when I was younger i used to force the head in
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and i thought if the horses nose was tucked in then it 'was on the bit' I couldn't be more wrong!
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It takes a while for the muscles to develop so he can hold the outline
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and work from from behind, especially if he has weak muscles.

get someone to video you!!
 
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