i need to get my horse down on the bit?

Question

i have a show comeing up and lately my horse won't go down on the bit please help

Answer 1

Okay, a lot of these answers are trying to force the horse's head down. Tie-downs, see-sawing,etc. all temporarily keep the horse's head down, but you obviously can't use these methods in a show. It only brings the horse discomfort and makes him frustrated.

First, take a look at your horse's conformation. What is his throat latch like? It should be clean and fine to allow flexation. If it's prominent, it will be harder for your horse to bend at the poll. Now look at the topline. His crest should be straight and slightly curved and tie into his withers cleanly. If his neck dips or tie in low to his withers, it will be hard for him to flex.

Take these things into consideration before you try to force your horse's head down. He also might not have the right muscles built up. It takes a lot of time to build up the topline of your horse's neck, which isn't going to happen before the show. If conformation isn't a problem, check yourself.

Horses naturally carry their heads low. (when theyre at ease in the pasture) So why should it be any different when we're riding them? The reason why horses carry their head high with someone on their back is because either the person is making them unbalanced, nervous, confused, or is on the bit too much. So are you making your horse unbalanced? is your saddle too far forward? Are you leaning forward, are you looking down? You should be in the middle of his back and there should be a straight line from your shoulder to your heel. Look a mile into the distance, not at your horse. Is he nervous because of you? If you feel frustrated because he won't lower his head, or you're anxious about the show, he's going to feel it. This will make him nervous and in turn, he'll raise his head. He may be confused if he doesn't understand your cues. If you aren't communicating with him efficiently, he's going to raise his head as if to say "what's going on?" Finally, you may be on the bit TOO much. If you're trying to force his head down with the bit, it isn't going to work. Horses naturally pull away from pressure.

If you are riding him correctly, he has no comformation faults, he's not in any pain (his tack fits, he isn't sore, his teeth are okay,etc.) He should lower his head if he's in a relaxed state. If you become one with him and you ride correctly and balanced, he will lower his head and give to the pressure of the bit. This takes a lot a lot a LOT of practice, but nothing's impossible. :) As for your show, do not stress about keeping his head down. Believe me, the judges would rather see your horse's head up than you fighting with your horse to keep his head down. You're less likely to make mistakes if you're not focusing on his head. And if you forget about it and just go along with the routine, he may surprise you and lower his head on his own. That'll get big points from the judges, seeing him lower his head on his own part.

Well good luck and don't get frustrated. Don't stress too much about the show, or you'll get nervous and freak your horse out lol. Most importantly, have fun with it!!

Answer 2

What Masq is talking about is totally wrong. Its called see sawing and just seems to make the horse go on the bit and go round, but it doesnt. If you do this at a dressage show, you will get marked down and frowned upon. It also keeps the horses head down for about three strides, but then the head comes up again, and it starts over. Please dont see saw, its just being plain lazy!

Answer 3

Glen's post sums it up - you have to ride the horse up into the bit. It is called riding back to front - the horses impulsion comes from his hind quarters. When you have him moving forward correctly he will go on the bit.
If your horse has been on the bit until now you may want to check his mouth for any sores or sharp teeth that may be bothering him.

Answer 4

Okay, first: You can't force your horse onto the bit. The heavier you try to pull his/her head into position the harder he/she will fight it.This said, to get your horse to round AND move out better, you need to lighten your rein (without throwing it away) and ask your horse to move forward (a light kick or squeeze, maybe more if you have a lazy horse) into the rein. This will not only improve your horse's head carriage, but it will make him/her happier, which creates a better picture for the judge.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

first of all you have to have impulsion before you will ever get your horse truly on the bit. that requires a firm seat and good hands. you cannot pull his head down with your hands but instead you have to push him up into the bit with your legs. this is done with firm well timed pressure, not random kicks. it takes some practice but once you get it right he will respond fairly quickly. avoid any method that falsely minicks a head set such as what has become all too common with peanut rollers or fancy riggings. all it takes is proper seat and aids and gentle hands.

Answer 6

Try going out and getting a pessoa lunging aid. It fits with a surcingle and instead of getting a horse who is falsely down on the bit, it will make the horse carry itself properly. If the horse attempts to carry its head to high, the part that runs just about the hocks will pull the rear end up underneath the horse (proper) and encourage the horses head down. This should help once you are mounted instead of having a fight with your horse. Also, once you are riding, use your seat to push the horse forward and hold contact with the mouth. Ive found that if i slightly twich my ring finger on the reins, it will encourage a horse who puts his head up, to bring its head back down.

Answer 7

Start slow at the walk. Alternate by playing on the reins, for example, when his right front foot goes back, squeeze that rein, and alternate. Keep you rhand position firm. Now ask to trot. DO NOT let him pull your hand forward. Keep playing with the reins, just a little quicker. If he gets on the bit, stop playing, if he stiffens, continue. Finally when you've got it at the trot, canter. Hold firm, and play quickly with the reins.
Good luck in your show!

Answer 8

masquerade's got it right. this is what I have to do with my QH mare that likes to keep her head up. She is best at contesting, but also does very very well in reining, dressage, and jumping. When you are riding, milk the reins softly. this solves the problem. actually, my arab mare that just passed away had been trained to RAISE her head when doing this, as to arch her neck in the desired arab shape. your horse is probably trained to react in the traditional way. good luck!

Answer 9

Try coating it with some yummy treat.