STOCKYARD
HORSE  DISCUSSION FORUMS

Caroline

If the horse has never been properly trained or educated to work in a rounded frame, how is he meant to understand what you are asking of him??

These horses need further education. Find a good instructor so you and the horse can learn some basic dressage skills. This will help no end!!

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TB4Me

Does he walk, trot and canter when asked, in both directions? Is he able to do 20M circles without falling in or out? Is he responsive when asked to speed up and slow down, will he change pace within a gait? Is he able to flex both ways and go around corners without losing balance?
If he can't (and not many horses can if they haven't learnt much after racing), then leave his head alone and get yourself some lessons....

widgelli

The way you ride him is 90% of getting a good topline and a good rounding.
If you are not sitting deeply enough in the saddle, there is no encouragement for him to move onto the bit and bring his hind legs underneath himself when moving forward.
If your stirrups are too short for instance, you cannot sit in the centre of your saddle, but will be pushed into the back of it. This then takes the weight off where it is needed to achieve what you are looking for.
If your feet are turned out, instead of having you toes inline with your horse, then you have lost contact with your horse and he wont move forward properly either.
Your heels should be down properly to keep you in a deep seat as well as keeping the whole of your legs on the saddle.
A rounded outline is never made by using a bit to drag his head in either. Yes, you will see many that are in this position, and they are only running down hill, without being able to see where they are going properly and propping along with their hind legs.
I would suggest that you get an instructor who knows about teaching you to ride in the right seat, and you will find that this problem that you are talking about will sort itself out.

justjam

Don't loose hope and don't rush

True story... I have had my OTTB for 8 months now (doesnt time fly!!) and have had lessons EVERY week since I have had him! Circles, transitions, halts, walks, trots, circles, backing, circles, flexing, transitions... did I meantion circles and transitions? lol

It was LITERALLY last Sunday when my boy 'finally' dropped his head and actually 'went on the bit'... it was only for about 6 steps (it would have been longer but both my Instructor and I WHOOPPEED so loudly he stuck his head straight back up wondering what the hoo-ha was about! ROFL

We probably set him back 2 months... but it was worth it!! hahaha

In all seriousness... it can take time but once they 'get it' it will happen fairly quickly from there... I figure we will have it sorted by 2011

A good instructor is the way to go... and lots, and lots, and lots of asking the right thing - the right way.

Best of luck

JustJam

palomino6661

i would go jewl reins with a snaffle bit thats just me rather then putting a martinggale on him thats for sure.

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save a horse ride a cowboy!!!!

Bucking mad

Youv'e never rounded up cows then. Missing out, it's good fun and very relaxing. lol lol

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"I'll Ask, Polite, If The Devil Wants A Ride, Because The Angel on my Right Ain't Hanging Out with Me Tonight!!" - Nickleback

Bear_Luva

Thanks for all the help guys very Helpful

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Im a Cool Cat though...

jonty

What is your instructor saying to do?

Lasix

Have his teeth been done in the last year?

Vet said that if teeth aren't done regularly they grow in such a way that it causes the horse's jaw to ache when the horse holds its head "on the bit". Hence horse much prefers to hold its head up, even if you are doing all the right things when asking him to round up.