How to bend on the bit

[crazy4horses]

How do I teach my horse to bend on the bit? Shes ALWAYS having to put her head SO high! ( I know its becuase shes an arab, but it gets really frustaing)

[DixieGirl]

What you do is turn the horse's head real gently and make her go in a small circle. I'll let you see me do it on one of my horses Monday! :)

[crazy4horses]

Thanks girly! I'll call you later if I can...

[silverleprichuan]

What you do is turn the horse's head real gently and make her go in a small circle. I'll let you see me do it on one of my horses Monday! :)


What is the point of this?

Giving to the bit at the halt increases lateral flexibility but asking for a bend on a small circle will encourage over bending of the neck until the horse learns to engage himself.

[moniexponie]

Yeah, um, I sort of have to agree with you. Basically, if you sit there and ask your horse to bend on a small circle, all your teaching it is to take the bit, and lean on your hands as it supposedly 'bends'.

What kind of martingale is it? Standing or running? I suggest a standing martingale, as it applies pressure to the horse's nose and encourages him to bring it down. The only thing is that it can't be loosened if your horse trips, so don't jump very high in it.

The other thing I suggest is riding with a light seat and soft hands - push the horse from leg to hand so that it doesn't feel as if it is being pulled up and and the down with your movements.

So yeah, not to be rude or anything, but I don't see how the circle thing would help.

[saddleseatsweetie]

the best thing to do is slowly and lightly hold on one reign and squeeze really hard with the same leg as that reign do this until you feel them ease on the bit then do the same on the other side, even do a few of the sides one after another but always make sure to put the hoses head straight before starting again each time, the horses body should stay straight the whole time dont let the horse try and circle, the horse is just trying to get out of it by circling
i have an arab and just because its an arab isnt an excuse for them to have their head up