Outline?! On the bit?! Argh!

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usernamepending

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Feeling pretty low ...

Trying dressage Again with the big lad after a year of happy hacking. From what I can remember once we ha warmed up and he was very off the leg he would go into an outline at his own accord with the occasional niggle of the reins if heflung his head up.

So been schooling him 6 times a week recently (after gradually bringing him back into it of course) and I just can't get him on the bit at all!

One of the other Liveries was just pottering around the yard when she asked me about going in an outline and I explained I just can't seem to get him into one.

She said the only way was to squeeze each rein until he lowered his head and do this again if he raised it. So I thought well I'll give it go...

Yes he put his head down but the rest of him I.e suppleness through his back etc was just wrong... I videos it and after watching back I am just shocked! I look like a mad person using the bit as a saw!

I feel awful and ashamed to be honest!

So all you exspirienced horsewoman/men how do I get him onto the bit without see sawing my way around the arena D: Got a lesson with a new instructor next week so hopefully she'll be able to help, but util then, any advice?!

Toffee popcorn if you got this far! Please don't be too harsh on me, Embaressed enough as it is! Argh
 
Use your legs and seat. The idea is to push the horse up into the contact, not pull him back onto it.

Well done for realising that the other person was wrong, nothing to be ashamed of there!
 
You won't learn anything about riding a horse on the bit from a forum - wait until you have a GOOD instructor on the ground. It's not rocket science (unless the horse has been messed up from previous bad riding).
 
Personally I would forget about the "head carriage" for now and work in getting your horse moving off your legs and balance. Lots of school movements circles sepintines some leg yeilding so he starts engaging his hind legs. Once this all starts coming then you should find his outline improves. Also long and low is great for building back muscle.
In all fairness I think we have all done something that someone as said to try at least you realise it was not the correct way. You see so many with the horses head tucked in but nothing actually happening behind :D
 
Thanks for the advice! Think it's just going to take time to get him back into the habit. Will concentrate on my transitions and get him moving from behind and off the leg until my lesson!

Thanks again!
 
If he's not been schooled for a while then his neck will be weak. Instead of going straight to getting him “on the bit” try to get him working low. Press down on the reins with your ring finger with your hands reasonably apart and ask for inside flexion and as soon as he gives a little soften your hands, he'll soon realise that it is more comfortable for him to have his head lower. This way it will build up correct muscles in the neck and also get him working accross his back so that when you start to bring him up into a more upright contact he will be infront of your leg. This takes time but it really gets the results in the long run!
 
Agree with all of the above! I am concentrating on my mare working long and low and moving forward (now that we are back in work) From that I often find she will look for the contact. My instructor (very very good dressage instructor) says to use the outside rein to ask for the contact by keeping you elbows bent and moving the outside elbow back and forth very very slightly and as soon as they take the contact to hold them there gently and use the inside rein to ask for bend but it's all mainly from your seat and leg.
I rode my YO's mare the other day and she only makes contact through legs and seat if you ask with your hands she ignores it. She also stops as soon as you take your feet out of the stirrups she was lovely to ride and it's something to work towards with my baby haha.
 
usernamepending said:
Feeling pretty low ...

Trying dressage Again with the big lad after a year of happy hacking. From what I can remember once we ha warmed up and he was very off the leg he would go into an outline at his own accord with the occasional niggle of the reins if heflung his head up.

So been schooling him 6 times a week recently (after gradually bringing him back into it of course) and I just can't get him on the bit at all!

One of the other Liveries was just pottering around the yard when she asked me about going in an outline and I explained I just can't seem to get him into one.

She said the only way was to squeeze each rein until he lowered his head and do this again if he raised it. So I thought well I'll give it go...

Yes he put his head down but the rest of him I.e suppleness through his back etc was just wrong... I videos it and after watching back I am just shocked! I look like a mad person using the bit as a saw!

I feel awful and ashamed to be honest!

So all you exspirienced horsewoman/men how do I get him onto the bit without see sawing my way around the arena D: Got a lesson with a new instructor next week so hopefully she'll be able to help, but util then, any advice?!

Toffee popcorn if you got this far! Please don't be too harsh on me, Embaressed enough as it is! Argh
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the girl who told you this does know that you need use your legs and seat aswell doesn't she ??



leg,seat,sponging the reins is how i do it and it works for me.

i just wouldn't expect the horse to go on an outline that quickly though it took me a while to get my mare to get her head in and outline mainly because i only had a loose martingale on her and i didn't use side reins or draw reins or elastic reins and i never ever used a pessoa on my horse.

she went lovely though just a shame she got colic :(


i hope this helps
 
i didn't use side reins or draw reins or elastic reins and i never ever used a pessoa on my horse

I dont use gadgets as in the long run for dressage you have to ride in a snaffle bridle so you need to do your ground work in one start by flexing to the inside open your inside hand giving your horse space plenty of inside leg and horse should drop into the space you have created then close your hand and ride forward in self carriage simples:D Ha if only that easy takes time but works :D:D
 
At the moment all your horse is getting for doing what you ask is a stiff neck and back. And then you ask the poor fella to do it the next day. It's like asking you to do gymnastics. Give him a break.

Numpty opinion here: I would think it would be easier to get him in an outline on a hack he enjoys.
 
You will get your horse on the bit by doing what you are going to do , that's going to a trainer on a regular basis .
I hope you enjoy your lessons and that the trainer works equally on the rider and the horse as that's the way it works best with someone who develops you both , I think the rider often gets a bit forgotten nowadays.
Have fun.
 
Agreed - aim for long and low, then build from there. My youngster has just clicked with the long and low (with the help of a new saddle), and I'm finding he's starting to offer an outline occasionally. Once they're working correctly, it should start to come naturally :)
 
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