How to use less rein

[Palm_Beach]

[QUOTE=Bellabeau;8490952]
Thanks - I will read that post. Initially when I started him in this bit, he would take it and stretch down into it when I took up contact so I would soften and reward him for seeking the bit. [/QUOTE]

Maybe he is confused - you first rewarded him for “seeking the bit,” and I understand what you mean, but what you want to reward is progression towards softening and self carriage. Maybe he is confused - he was first rewarded for taking a hold of the bit, now you don’t want him to do that. But he still remembers that reward, so he still keeps trying it. I’d go back and do tons of exercises to help soften his face and teach him to give to bit pressure, from the ground to standing still while mounted to walking etc.

Did you ride English at one time? I did, and it’s a very different experience riding Western for me. I always preferred to have my horse up in the bridle and going forward to the jump, so it took me a while to really “get it” with the Western stuff. If I do indeed “get it.”

[Wirt]

[QUOTE=Bellabeau;8490952]
Thanks - I will read that post. Initially when I started him in this bit, he would take it and stretch down into it when I took up contact so I would soften and reward him for seeking the bit. Then after a little while I started doing that and then shortening the reins up to where I wanted him to be (he was willing to trot along with his nose almost on the ground, lol) and gently asking him to keep his head there. When he gave I softened. The issue now is that we’re basically at that same point, but he wants to consistently speed up. Holding on the reins to rate him isn’t working very well, and he’s very sensitive and I get the impression he gets worked up and rushes and fidgets with his head position. Exercises to fix that? I do try lots of circles and changes of direction and he can do leg yields. He just doesn’t run out of energy or enthusiasm which can be hard to contain. He’d happily trot at harness racer speed in a 15 foot circle. I can’t figure out how to get through to him to just relax.[/QUOTE]

What you did there was teach him to take the reins away from you.
This is a misunderstand of a horse “seeking the bit”. This misunderstanding is often exacerbated by people “teaching” “dressage”, who have no understanding of beginning with a young horse, and the things you need first, which is very basic control. Forget “on the bit”. Forget shortening the reins to where you want him to be, which is basically holding on to his head. Don’t.

[Lolacan]

[QUOTE=Wirt;8491552]
You hold that rein and let him pull on himself. You have to wait. Have someone bring you lunch or dinner. But wait until he releases to you. But you have to make sure you are not pulling, because when he releases, your hand will come back and he will find no release. So fix your hand on your leg if you have to. The moment you feel him begin to give, release.
If you release and his head springs forward like spring steel, then you have to start over. The feel you are looking for is he stays there for a moment when you release. If he starts to out smart you,(sounds like he has all ready) change sides.

Don’t even worry about trying to ride any particular place yet, and don’t set it up to fail, where you end up in a contest with him.[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%. I say to myself that I’m certainly capable of outwaiting him. And I do. .works every time.