what am I doing wrong - totally lost!!!

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wench

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recently got a new horse... works nicely in an outline, with everyone on it, except me!!!

I really dont know what I am doing wrong, I have tried everything I have been told before, ie "wiggle bit in his mouth", trying to ride him forwards from the leg to the hands, shortening up the rein so he knows what I want him to do, all of which I have been told before.

Have tried riding with hands low and a bit higher, but everything i try he either sticks his head up in the air, or drags his nose on the ground.

can anyone help....

and yes I am trying to get a lesson on him
 
Oh dear its so difficult when you feel like this . It tends to make you too focused on the head, its difficult to say exactly what help you need can you post me a pic?, if you dont want to put it on for all to see, and i will try and help.
It really is so much about your position and how that relates to the 'connection' from the hind leg to the hand.It really is a huge area an is fundimental to all our work in the development of the way of going.Pulling in the front is is not connection it restricts the hind leg although it gives the 'look' and the commomly seen low hands holds the horse but does not teach him how to seek the hand forward. It sounds as though he is struggling to find this connection in a forward way.
Please pm me if you think it may be of some help.
 
Ignore the 'outline' particularly of the head and neck, and concentrate on getting his hind legs engaged and working underneath him, into a soft elastic rein contact (no wiggling!)
Then you'll probably see him improve.
S
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I know it won't help but you are not the only one. I also have this problem I was told on almost all of the dressage tests last year that I needed to work in a rounder outline but I struggle. Sally is a shire X so tends to lean & work on her forehand a bit but I think a lot of the blame is mine!
 
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