At 16:17:41 on 19.01.10, zoelovesanimals wrote:

i was thinking about getting a horse to work on the bit and whether or not theres an age to begin to train a pony/horse to do so. Just a thought :) would love to know the ideas and thoughts people have on it! x

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At 23:16:34 on 20.01.10, emm0r wrote:
It would depend on your definition of 'on the bit'..... A horse can work in a 'correct' outline from the very start of its training. People use the term on the bit to describe a horses head lowered onto a verticle however this does not mean they are actually working properly!!! It is all about the power coming from the hind legs and havin the head in the correct place in order to stretch the horses back and allowing it to work its muscles efficiently and being able to carry its rider with ease!! The inside hind leg should come right under the horse and push it round the corner the neck should be ever so slightly bent to the inside and the neck should be straight between the reins with both shoulders up and neither fallin in nor out! On the bit is a very vague term and novice riders should be careful when trying to get a horse on the bit as it may feel nice having a horse with its head down but if it is not using its body correctly you will cause more damage than good !

At 16:30:00 on 28.01.10, YasandCrystal wrote:
Good comprehensive answer emm0r!

At 18:36:57 on 28.01.10, Zoe and Paddy wrote:
I agree with what has been said above use a lot of leg (squeezing) and keep your hands still but with contact!good luck have fun!

At 21:03:54 on 28.01.10, Hench Woman wrote:
I also agree... just be patient and use lots of leg, it will suddenly fall into place like magic! just mind out you dont let your hands hang or get to heavy, if you keep your hands light and forgiving, your pony/horse will be light and forgiving back! GOOD LUCK :)

At 21:39:19 on 28.01.10, Angwh19 wrote:
I ride my nearly 30 year old DWB gelding in a German Hackamore- although the bit is physically removed from his mouth (he has dodgy teeth and a thick tongue) he flexes at the poll quite nicely with no extra input from me even on a hack!!

At 11:50:19 on 29.01.10, Flicka wrote:
I agree with emmOr-too many people focus on the position of the head and neck and end up heavy handed. You see a lot of people who think their horse is going well because it's neck looks nice but it's actually still on the forehand and not using the back end. But I think you can do it without using a lot of leg. I would go back to the walk work which we discussed in another thread and connect with your breath and your seatbones and visualize your horse stepping under itself with each stride of the back legs, and it's back lifting up into your seat, meanwhile keeping a quiet contact with your hands.I'm sure Dazzle will have some good advice for you.

At 15:30:11 on 29.01.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
I agree I'd much rather see a horse working from behind nicely than have it's head tucked in, into a false outline that is heavy on the forehand. Working on the bit comes with time, work and patience I personally think gadgets and contraptions are not a way to encourage this, I think it will come on it's own when the horse is working correctly with enough muscle and balance to be able to carry itself forward and accepting the contact. You should ride your leg to hand also, it's not all about lowering the head to 'find the contact' if you will, sorry just my opinion:) it will come on it's own with enough correct schoolingg, if it doesnt? Well they're not quite balanced or aren't powering with their hind. Obviously you need to have good soft hands too, a good instructor can put you in the right direction:)

At 22:54:38 on 29.01.10, NMH wrote:
Reading these responses I'm very aware Zoe doesn't have the" luxury" of the use of her legs!! But I expect something Zoe does when riding substitutes for leg aids, as Polly always looks engaged in her hind legs in videos of her riding. It will be a subtle thing in your special case, & probably Polly is very sensitive to your seat driving aids? From what I know, I think what's important is that hands don't overrule (in strength) the driving aids, cos you can only channel the impulsion that you have already actually created into nice round "on the bit" energy; if hands are stronger than driving aids then you cramp action & impulsion instead. Possibly Zoe would need to be extra sure there was enough impulsion, but I'm sure from the sensitivity we've seen in her videos she's more than up to that!!

At 00:11:52 on 30.01.10, zoelovesanimals wrote:
Thankyou For the replys, i just wanted to see what everybody thought about working on the bit or in an outline etc. Thankyou NMH What i tend to do is use my seat and voice, Being a pony who was driven around london for a few years Polly is very responsive and listens really well and has adjusted to my aids. I do back my voice and seat up with carrying a schooling whip, but i dnt tend to use it as like i said before polly is very responsive. When i ride polly when i have the confidence and i drive her forward she tends to round quite naturally anyway, but i have never tried to get her 'workin on the bit' as such, But once i aquire a sidesaddle i shall be, hense why i asked the question:D thanks again. more adivce,tips,views welcome :D would love to hear them!! :D xx