Taking the contact

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ecrozier

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Hi all
Think I might have posted about this before, but still need more advice - sorry!
My gelding is working really nicely on the flat now apart from one aspect. He refuses to maintain a proper contact by taking the bit - if I do a give and retake, his head just stays exactly where it was before! And however much I shorten up the reins, he just tucks his nose closer and closer to his chest to avoid holding on to the contact. That makes it sound really severe, its not, its just that its pretty obvious he isn't taking the contact as my reins sag slightly as his head moves backwards and forwards with the gait.
Now, his saddle, back etc have been checked, teeth being done in a couple of weeks.
He is ridden currently in a KK ultra linked loose ring snaffle, and this is more than adequate for brakes etc (except xc!). I have tried him in a flexible rubber straight bar snaffle, and he goes too far in the opposite direction in this, leaning on me, ignoring my hands and poking his nose - instructor said he really didn't look happy in it.
So I need some suggestions of what to try to get him to take the contact! Instructors both (Jumping and dressage) are happy that he is using his back end, tracking up, and starting to work over his back, but needs to maintain a more consistant 'hold' on the bit to be properly using himself. Just need him to be happier in the contact!
All bit suggestions/other suggestions gratefully recieved!
 
When you are giving and taking i always do it one rein at a time but make sure your legs are still on him pushing him on to push him into the contact.
 
Hi, thanks for response. I thought in a test when you give and retake it had to be both reins?
Problem isn't really with the give and retake, its with him holding the contact rather than dropping. Legs are on, pushing him forward and inviting him to take the bit, he's just not happy maintaining a contact.
 
no i dont mean in that sense, when im trying to encourage something to take the bit i fiddle with both reins in turn to encourage them to drop down, it generally works. Sorry i didnt read your post properly, if its do do with maintaining a contact then i have no idea lol!
 
Firstly you need horses body to be soft, supple and flexible. You should be able to do reverse, hindq yield, foreq yield and sidepass. Foreq yield and sidepass and are VERY important. Crucial in fact.

Next you have a very light pressure on inside rein, with inside leg on, moving around a circle.

Keep looking at yoru hroses head. The *split second* horse drops head a little, release that inside rein (Outside rein does nothing)

If horse then put head up, etc again, regain that very light contact on inside rein.

So the first time, maybe it takes 5 circles for your horse to soften a little and drop head a fraction, so that split second you loosen contact on rein to reward him.

Next time, in might be after only 3 circles when he does it again. Again, loosen rein as a reward. Horses pick up this stuff pretty quick if your consistent.

After a while he'll start to do it more often, bulding up mescle as well in the process.

Here's the more detailed explaination:

http://irishnhsociety.proboards41.com/in...read=1189155540
 
My horse is exactly the same. What I find works the best with her is to really kick her up into a contact, and do lots of transitions within a pace to get her thinking forward into a contact.
 
Hi guys, thanks for replies, will try exercises. Bit confused elaineh though, as if I keep releasing the rein to reward him for lowering his head, he still won't be taking the contact? Will go and have a look at the link though, many thanks.
Emma
 
You use the contact to ask him to lower head, then as he lowers head, you release contact.

So in the head horse on bit, rounded back, HQ engaged, and very light in hand. reins are subtle communication tools. You use them to ask horse to do something, but if horse is already doing what you want, you just sit up there and enjoy it.

Look at 3rd pic.

http://irishnhsociety.proboards41.com/in...read=1191321740
 
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