Weight on back-end?

Question

I have a 7 year old Thoroughbred gelding that puts most of his weight on he's front end. He will keep his head down and tucked in, and I just can't seem to get his weight behind him... It mostly shows when I canter him, so how can I help him???

Answer 1

What your horse is suffering from is a lack of impulsion, or drive from his hind end. What it sounds like is that your horse has been forced into a frame but has never really learned how to carry and use himself correctly. He's still young and being on the forehand is a common problem. I use lots of half-halts to help get a horse's butt under them more by using an inside-leg to outside rein connection when the outside hind leg is pushing off. Don't restrict the horse's movement. You want to encourage him to move freely forward- not running, but to develop more push power from behind. This will help him strengthen muscles in his hind end, back, and stomach. You eventually will want to feel the energy from the hind end come up through his back. If your saddle fits him properly and you are asking him correctly and he has developed the muscle, you eventually will feel him soften and lift his back up by sucking in his belly muscles. You will also eventually feel the energy not only come through the back but up over the neck and poll and back into your hand, allowing you to shape the energy (frame) but this takes a long time to develop. Just start by using a little bit of a driving seat and encouraging him to go forward and lift his back at the walk and trot (trot work is a lot more important than canter work at this stage) and to keep his balance on his hind end - especially in transitions. When he develops the ability to keep his balance in transitions up and down in the walk and trot then you can work a bit more on canter work. Good luck!