Teaching horse to seek the contact

[TomH]

I am working with a lovely little mare at the moment that hasn't had the greatest start to her education. She is only 5, but has been broken in by someone who doesn't have a clue what they are doing, and has been far too busy with their hands for the horse to trust the contact.

She has learnt to brace against the contact and almost ignore it. I am taking it really slowly with her and not worrying about where her head is.

However, I am struggling to get her to reach down to the contact the way in which I would usually teach it. (Leg on, give a little rein, reward when horse stretches)

Does anyone have any ideas or methods which may help this little mare? We seem to have hit a brick wall.

 

[soulfull]

I have exact same problem, well it sounds it. said horse is almost just sitting on the bit without any contact.
so far I have found that bending and supplying is the answer for her. I do lots of shallow loops, turn on forehand, shoulder in, leg yield etc and she starts to stretch a nd take the contact

 

[TomH]

Thank you, glad it's not just me.

Anyone else have any other suggestions?