Show/Showjumping Horses - How are they always 'on the bit'?

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HanTopsy

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First post here! :)

So I went to a local show today, and I have always wondered about this; how actually are the show horses that you see doing M&M, coloured etc, and the show jumpers etc always made to stay 'on the bit'.

I don't have any experience with showing, so I wondered if it was training aids - Pessoas, draw reins and the sort, or ways of getting the horse to stretch down into it?

Whenever I see any at shows they always seem to have a beautiful shape, head tucked in, hindquarters and everything - all the time whilst the riders are on them!

Thanks

xx
 
My welsh D does dressage - he goes correctly, nicely and well mannered, quiet responsive ride etc....BUT because he doesn't go charging around with his head on his chest and his knees knocking his teeth out he doesn't get placed in showing classes, I was told by a judge he is "too dressagey" and I had to choose what to do - easy!! dressage won hands down!! He did everything asked and did not buck or rear or nap to the gate, went on and came back easily, yet these judges seem to prefer bad mannered and flashy to a nice responsive and balanced ride.
 
Show classes are judged on "way of going" as well as type, conformation, etc. This will depend on what type is being shown, so a child's first ridden shouldn't show too much forwardness or extravagant paces,fitting to a tiny rider just off the lead rein, but a Welsh D should show the fire and presence of the breed (not bad mannered though!!).
Working correctly on the bit is expected from all of them.
 
mjcssjw2 said:
not all are schooled correctly!! some are forced into a false outline.
Click to expand...

Very true but I find that more with show jumpers than show horses these days. I don't like riding jumpers as they all tend to have elastic band necks - you give the slightest touch of the rein to change direction and the whole head swings round whilst the body doesn't move, same again if you ask it to straighten up - head swings round the other way whilst the body still goes forwards.
 
of all the show horse at the livery yard I was on I think mine was one of the only ones that wasn't ridden in draw reins, bungies, side reins, or permanetely in a double bridle/ pelham, I also know of folks who leave there youngsters stood in the stables in side reins, oh and some top producers who used 'gadgets' to get them on the bit.
 
I despise the people who stand their horses in stables with their heads tied in for hours!

The only gadget I use on mine is once a week I will lead my lead rein Shetland with correctly fitting side reins to remind him that I will not always be the one on him making him work properly. Everything else goes beautifully in a simple snaffle at home and equally well in a Pelham at shows to be correct.
 
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