How to be on the bit

[Juxtapoze]

OP - I know you are not going to like my answer, but having a trainer with eyes on the ground is INVALUABLE to help you with this. Even if you can only do 1 lesson a month or half hour lessons to start, it will be hugely helpful. I’d recommend finding a dressage trainer that has shown successfully at 4th level or above. Watch some lessons. See if you click with trainer. Make sure trainer will get on your horse during lessons if needed. Watching a professional get your horse on the bit is a revelation.

I’ve had numerous hunter/jumper trainers (and low level dressage trainers) who didn’t even scratch the surface of what my Grand Prix level dressage trainer has taught me about forward and collection. Before working with her, I would read and study books, videos, posts and couldn’t seem to make much progress. Having an educated professional walk you through the feel while you are in the saddle and seeing progress made is an awesome feeling. Understanding collection is a lifelong goal for a lot of riders and a worthy pursuit, but it’s certainly not easy for horse and rider. “Progress” is very incremental.

Dressage Mastery videos on YouTube are another resource I have found valuable - here’s a good one to start with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iht8yvlnmiQ

I wish you the best of luck with your riding goals!

[alibi_18]

@Angela Freda

How I read what ladyj79 wrote [that RHRT was referring to ] is that before you are forward and on even contact there will be no ‘on the bit’… so first steps… forward… even contact… then come back and ask again about ‘on the bit’… basically what ChinaDoll wrote.

What am I missing?

What I’m saying is that you need someone on the ground to validate that what you believe is right, is actually right.

Saying to someone through the internet : « put your horse forward, into an even rein contact » won’t save them 5yrs of training toward achieving to put a horse on the bit.

How many of us believed we were sitting straight while in fact one of our hip was collapsed? or was tipped forward?

Someone saying : « Sit straight » … won’t be that helpful. You need someone on the ground to correct the theory you want to apply. (or at least video or mirrors)

@meupatdoes (I wrongly mixed you with mvp… Sorry!)
It might not be rocket science, and working with different exercices is a great way to understand the biomechanic behind what riding on the bit is/mean/feel, but for a beginner, it’s quite vague.

From the exercices you posted, everything could be done with a horse who’s inverted, on the shoulders, and who’s rider just pull with the inside rein (yielding).

How riding technically incorrectly on our own is helpful?

Once we have basic understand, then yes, one can learn stuff from the internet or books. But more than often, it’s always better to have someone on the ground.

[merrygoround]

@meupatdoes

I’m sorry, were we talking about a collecting exercise or getting a horse on the bit?

In order to get a horse on the bit, the rider must ride the horse laterally FROM the inside leg TO the outside rein.
(Fully prepared for someone to explai. to me that this is wrong too now…)

I’m not interested in getting into an argument but I consider riding from inside leg to outside rein only part of the picture, and doing so will not, in and of itself put a horse on the bit. It is part of the picture. When a rider can do that, they are capable of bending the horse, without the use of the rein, and that is the point.

Without instruction, or mirrors in which they can actually see if those legs are crossing, or if that hind end is trailing, or if the body is really being ridden straight little can be accomplished. Many horses are much more work, and take much more concentrated rider effort to ride equally straight on both reins. Unless the rider knows how to do so, endless fiddling will not help. I doubt it would even summon up fiddling competition with the devil.:winkgrin:

[meupatdoes]

The tenor of all your posts in this thread has been to convince OP that her question is hopeless. She won’t be able to figure it out unless [list of things], right?

It would be a lot less hopeless if responders would give her constructive ideas TO TRY instead.

I don’t know what satisfaction is gained from responding to a question with all the ways you CAN’T help the person, but apparently it’s an irresistible pleasure for a lot of people.
Which is odd to me because there are plenty of helpful suggestions available instead.

[alibi_18]

@meupatdoes

The tenor of all your posts in this thread has been to convince OP that her question is hopeless. She won’t be able to figure it out unless [list of things], right?

It would be a lot less hopeless if responders would give her constructive ideas TO TRY instead.

I don’t know what satisfaction is gained from responding to a question with all the ways you CAN’T help the person, but apparently it’s an irresistible pleasure for a lot of people.
Which is odd to me because there are plenty of helpful suggestions available instead.

If it makes you happy to believe you’ve helped the OP more with your exercices, fine.

Unless you see the OP, you’ll never know.

I don’t see why telling the OP to take more lessons is less helpful.

If you don’t like our answers…

[Scribbler]

Been there done that. As a teen I got ahold of some dressage books (pre internet) and some reining books and taught my little mustang all kinds of stuff. We could even do 3 stride Tempe’s on the centerline (didn’t know they were a thing just playing with lead change) and a trot halfpass.

There were no responsible adults anywhere

The one part of the puzzle I really couldn’t get was on the bit, contact, collection. I never rode other horses except loose rein Western and pony preferred a loose Western rein. I thought her mouth was “spoiled” from the dude string I bought her from, but now I know she was just uneducated.

Returning to proper lessons as an adult, h/j then dressage, I see that first, contact was much simpler but also more subtle than I thought. Second, an awful lot of people are riding very wrong in my world, horses rolled under and falling on the forehand.

I really think that a few lessons or a clinic or even finding someone online who coaches by video would be invaluable.

I know what it’s like to be isolated from good horsemanship and surrounded by bad, but somehow figuring out how to break that isolation and get a good mentor is crucial to make real progress.

[SendenHorse]

I believe a good intellectual understanding is paramount. Betsy Steiner and Jane Savoie are great for new dressage riders., and Lessons with London.

However, yes, you do need a trainer.

You can do virtual lessons with some coaches, if that is the best you can do for now. (ie- either FaceTime or send a pre-recorded video).

I’d stay away from too many sources, it will just confuse you and muddy the waters.

[Equibrit]

@Bellathemustang

OP, you will notice this is a pyramid, so be sure you have rhythm and relaxation solid before worrying too much about connection It will be difficult to keep steady bit contact if the rhythm ins’t there (like clapping to an off beat song) and I don’t think many horses will seek the bit if the elasticity and suppleness isn’t there. Stiffness can make many aids difficult for the horse to accept or even “hear”.

Please - describe the rhythm a relaxation required to the OP and how to obtain it ?

[hoopoe]

first, establish knowledge that being on the bit has nothing to do with “the bit”

second, collection is NOT about going slower and “tucked up”

these concepts are challenging to learn with a good trainer if you are a green rider on a green horse

from books, the internet etc, it is going to be very challenging. I suggest the OP get hold of a few good theory books and understand the training pyramid ( previous illustrated) and the concepts for riding to contact back to front.

OP should remember that in the show ring, collection starts at third level.

[Equibrit]

@meupatdoes

I don’t know what satisfaction is gained from responding to a question with all the ways you CAN’T help the person, but apparently it’s an irresistible pleasure for a lot of people.
Which is odd to me because there are plenty of helpful suggestions available instead.

Like this one ?

@meupatdoes

In order to teach a horse or rider how to go on the bit, a trainer (or internet advice giver) should set up exercises where the horse’s nose comes IN and his feet step OUT.

But - all that just means pull on the reins and kick him - right?

[SendenHorse]

@hoopoe

first, establish knowledge that being on the bit has nothing to do with “the bit”

second, collection is NOT about going slower and “tucked up”

these concepts are challenging to learn with a good trainer if you are a green rider on a green horse

from books, the internet etc, it is going to be very challenging. I suggest the OP get hold of a few good theory books and understand the training pyramid ( previous illustrated) and the concepts for riding to contact back to front.

OP should remember that in the show ring, collection starts at third level.

It’s very common for beginners to mix up connection and collection. Dressage is hard, made harder (impossible) trying to do it on your own. Never again, it wasn’t fair to my horses. (that was a long time ago).

[meupatdoes]

@alibi_18

I don’t see why telling the OP to take more lessons is less helpful.

If you don’t like our answers…

Well, for starters, because OP specifically asked for exercises and tips and NOT to just be told to get a trainer.

[meupatdoes]

@Equibrit

But - all that just means pull on the reins and kick him - right?

Well I guess by that definition suggesting the application of ANY aids, or turning, or changing speeds, or bending just means pull on the reins and kick.

How exactly do you ride without ever applying a bending or lateral aid?

[hoopoe]

ah but how does one achieve bend? To read thru the HJ forum, often it is by pulling or wiggling on the inside rein

again, so much false info out there that coming to a dressage forum to ask about collection and “on the bit” with no reference from the OP as to their skill set and arena; western rider, Hunter jumper EQ rider, novice dressage rider? is going to produce a lot of conflict from what we say and what they see practiced day to day.

[outerbanks77]

https://www.artisticdressage.com/blog-content/on-the-bit-part-1

[SendenHorse]

Op if you want a starting point, please give us a video. We can’t really say anything much unless that happens, so much of dressage is applying the principles to each situation. How you sit on the horse and use your aids/hands will be the first thing to address, the horse might be addressed in oh, 6 months (kidding, sort of). From a balanced rider you get a balanced horse (ie- connected)

Also, your horse comes into play here, too.
Ie- a heavy shouldered horse might need a different approach to get contact than a saddlebred, or a horse that has a history of draw reins. A quick horse needs to be slowed. A super lazy horse needs a different ride than a hot horse.

Same pyramid, different approach. this is why I am hesistant. Yes, I have a rough outline for the 1st year of riding dressage but that can’t be applied to everyone. Sorry. It’s not that we don’t want to help.

(PSA- caviat- yes, it’s always forward to the contact, the contact is elastic. It’s always about the seat/straightness/half halts- I am not saying that the major themes change! If I’ve learned anything, it’s that horses are unique and they change themselves day to day!)

[OdieJump]

I’ve been reading a lot of interesting replies! To clarify, I do have a trainer, but I just set up lessons I haven’t even gone to the barn yet! When I asked to not tell me to just get a trainer I did so because I already took that step. Many of you already pieced together that I’m more of a beginner rider, I used to be a hunter jumper and all that trainer did was jump and I never learned how to teach a horse how to carry them self. I realize that I can’t make a guide and all horses are different but I’m looking for some direction.

If getting my horse to ride on the bit is not a good step then I would be more then willing to hear what I should do! Currently I’m working on having my horse be a lot more responsive to my leg, he’s an OTTB and is extremely lazy and has no impulse at all.

Also, I can’t seem to upload the videos so I tried to just do a picture but that won’t work as well

[Equibrit]

The questions you asked do not require simple answers, and unfortunately cannot be answered on an internet forum. People work with trainers for years to achieve what you are asking about. Many things have to be in place before achieving a secure connection and collection. Some of those things are, independent seat and aides, core strength, a horse quick to respond to those aides, a straight horse, a strong horse, relaxed horse, rhythmic gaits…and the list goes on. Wait to work with your trainer and let him/her guide you on what you need to start with, then gradually work your way along the road. You may find it useful to do some reading.

[Scribbler]

@OdieJump

I’ve been reading a lot of interesting replies! To clarify, I do have a trainer, but I just set up lessons I haven’t even gone to the barn yet! When I asked to not tell me to just get a trainer I did so because I already took that step. Many of you already pieced together that I’m more of a beginner rider, I used to be a hunter jumper and all that trainer did was jump and I never learned how to teach a horse how to carry them self. I realize that I can’t make a guide and all horses are different but I’m looking for some direction.

If getting my horse to ride on the bit is not a good step then I would be more then willing to hear what I should do! Currently I’m working on having my horse be a lot more responsive to my leg, he’s an OTTB and is extremely lazy and has no impulse at all.

Also, I can’t seem to upload the videos so I tried to just do a picture but that won’t work as well

Ask this question of your trainer who will be able to make a plan after evaluating you and your horse.

[ladyj79]

I totally thought my first step of go forward and then go forward on even contact was absolutely offering advice. I then said come back with a video. I see not just beginner riders at every show who are not at all forward, not on even contact, and way way way not straight. These are incredibly simple first steps/directives, and yet not easily achieved. I wouldn’t think to begin with any of the other suggestions until I had forward (active behind) and on even contact.