Training a youngster to accept and work on the bit?

[DappleGreyDaydreamer]

My lovely 5yr old is just starting the process of working on the bit, and I am having difficulty getting him to accept it. I've been trying to do various activities to strengthen the muscles in his hindquarters and get him used to engaging them under saddle, but whenever I ask him to drop his head anywhere near the vertical, it flies straight up into the air and I was hoping for some advice on things I could be doing better Thank you!

 

[NiceNeverNaughty]

How are you asking him to drop his head? Does he take a contact forward at all? Personally Id work on getting him working over his back, through from the back end and swinging along long and low and then start to gradually pick him up from there. Have you got an instructor on board helping and guiding you? is this the same horse you were asking for help with lunging off the bit that was towing you round in canter? It could be a million and one things but it sounds like he doesn’t understand what you are asking, is uncomfortable in his mouth and possibly scared of the pressure/worried about being socked in the teeth.

 

[DappleGreyDaydreamer]

I've just been opening my hands and trying to leg him on forward into accepting the stronger contact, as this is what someone at my yard advised me to try at first, but all that seems to do is cause him to drop for a second (which I praise) and then chuck his head around and mess with the bit.
I would love an instructor on board, but I'm currently stuck in a lot of exams, so I'm going to book some lessons after they're over!

Yep he's the same boy, but after some fantastic advice from the forum he's settled right down and now seems perfectly happy in the canter - some part of me thinks it was just him trying it on because he usually has a lot of energy at the best of times.
I'm assuming he doesn't understand so I'm going to learn to teach him right from scratch; thanks for a good reply!

 

[Cortez]

Unless you are a lot more experienced than you sound (no offence meant!), then I think you will need some help from a professional instructor/trainer to explain this to your horse.

The vast majority of horses haven't read the text books and will require a bit more help to respond to the bit in the required way. It is often easier to approach the "please give" request on a turn or circle, this is because you can ask on one rein only which is far less demanding than trying to work both sides of the horse's mouth at once.

Yes, it's more about the hindquarters/leg than the hand, but the horse will have to know what to do in response to the rein aids too, and it is kinder to teach this first than just jump on and start kicking and pulling (before anyone reacts to this - I have seen exactly this approach FAR too many times to discount it happening).

 

[Tnavas]

Firstly get teeth and back - especially poll checked. Contact needs to be soft and consistent, it may be that you are giving too much or too forcibly.

A lesson with a good coach is a good idea

 

[JillA]

It helps if he understands about a contact and how to relax his jaw. An exercise which helps with the relaxation from the poll down is done at halt. Sit still in the saddle, take up one rein only and ask for flexion to one side, and release as soon as he offers. Do the same on both sides, then ride forward and straight and you will find he will relax in the same way.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

I would take JillA's very good advice back one step further and do if from the ground first, then the saddle

i did loads of this before my 3yo was backed, the guy that rode away did loads more and he has a perfect mouth really, never grabs or fights as he understand how to relax down to the contact and isnt scared of being hurt.

 

[DappleGreyDaydreamer]

All great advice, thanks a lot everyone!! Unfortunately he lost a shoe yesterday and I can't get the farrier out until Wednesday, so training is on hold, and I have a lesson booked for next week. Good progress is being made!