"On the bit" on the ground?

[horse_lover]

My rescue mare, Faith (Rich Life) is looking pretty good now, despite her recently neglectedness. Her weight is looking good, she could use some more, but she looks ok, She Really needs more muscle though, So.... I did this with another one of our unrideable horses and it worked GREAT! So here's what id do: put a fitting bridle on them and "play" with the reins with my fingers like asking her to drop her head and give in to the pressure. I think it will help put some muscle on her neck and if anyone ever does ride her, she will have a head start. Sara (other horse I tried this with) did it good, and Faith who hasn't been riden in about 6 years is doing....Ok.(I've only done it with her once though. By the way, due to Faith's not so great condition, I can't ride her, we are having a TOP NOTCH vet come out to look at her in a few weeks to check her out.SO.. What are your thoughts on this topic of Doing on the bit work on the ground?

[silverleprichuan]

I think that teaching a horse to give to the bit on the ground is highly beneficial but does not build muscle. A horse cannot be "on the bit" or "on the aids" unless they are moving forward and allowing the transfer of energy from the hindend to cycle to the hands and back to the hindend.
Giving to the bit on the ground can create a more supple horse but over use can result in a horse who ducks behind the bit instead one who reaches into the bit.

As long as you don't make her sit around in sidereins in the roundpen or stall, then I see no problem with teaching her to give to the bit on the ground.

[horse_lover]

k, thx! :)

[crazy4horses]

My question is, how can she "get on the bit" if your not riding her?

[horse_lover]

I'll show you next time you come over,

Ok, I put the bridle on then play with her mouth with the reins, the same way I get Tia to go on the bit whenever I ride her and same with Gracie. I just do that, just while I'm standing next to her not on her back

[DixieGirl]

Thats a really good idea because it gives her something to work for. Can you lunge her?

[horse_lover]

She is difficult to lounge because if I put her in the round pen, I have to leave her foal outside and he freaks out, then she freaks out and doesn't focus on me and if I let him inside while I lounge her then he runs into the lounge line,

[horse_lover]

Anyone else know any ways to help her build muscle with out riding her?

[xxrequiem]

Hm. My two cents, correct me if I'm wrong;
Maybe take her and her foal for walks on hills - someone else may have to lead the foal behind Momma. Hillwork is a good way to build muscle. Also, where you can, set up poles on the ground for her to walk over. As she gets better, elevate them a bit so she has to lift her feet. Of course, longeing won't be an option until baby is weaned, but it always helps too. Don't longe too frequently or too long; it creates stress on the horse's legs unless you can give the horse a lot of line. Ground driving may be an option, though, or ponying.

Again, just my two cents. Hope this helps.

[Mackoroni]

I was also going to suggest ground driving. However, you will have to wait until the foal is weaned. Also, be sure your horse can be saddled first. The hill work is also a good idea but as already stated, someone will have to lead the foal.

[horse_lover]

I like the idea of ponying! I think I might try that, I have done some walking over poles and such, but she just has horrible manners! She was a racehorse then she was neglected and out of shape, now we have her, she's 9 and I have tried teaching her ground manners, but she just walks all over me and if I have her back p or something when she does that, she freaks and tries to run off, and who do you think wins, me or her, her. she's a zillion lbs stronger than me.. Maybe parelli would help eventually... I don't think ground driving would be to helpful, I can very easily picture me tring to do that and getting really frustrated and upset.... *sigh* I think I will do some lounging and just stick Justin (her baby) in a stall or something. I'm going to try those 7 Parelli game things! That's what I'll do! I'll try that and after those I see if she has anymore respect for me! Thanks SSOOOOOOO Much for posting and helping me out!!!! :D

[alliekk]

After working with mares who have had foals I have found that if they cant hear the baby then they wont worry so much. Put the foal in a stall or somewhere where he can safely be put with another (foal safe) horse to calm him until mom comes back. Also, if Justin is older than 4 months he can safely be weaned. It might also help mom gain weight because he isn't suckling anymore.

I completely agree with ponying, it will build muscle for both mom and baby. Or just pony mom and she wont be able to hear baby and she can get into "work mode." As for her ground manners, try the training tips I put up in the western training forum. If you'd like I can give you more advice.