Neck muscle - on the underneath!!

[shirlnjazz]

I would change the bit firstly, a dutch gag is an elevator type bit and personally I feel this may not help and loads of quiet schooling. He just sounds a tense little horse and just loads of quiet riding are maybe just all he needs to settle down

[Deleted]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the gags causes a horse to elevate his head.

[harleydales]

I thought that too, as they've got lots to puch against.
It's gone! Using a french link full cheek now so we'll see what happens next...

[SuzieP]

How's he doing in the different bit, Jane? Any improvement?

[harleydales]

He did seem a bit more relaxed the last time we were out, more stretchy and not so Friesian!!BUT I was away with H all day yesterday and suspect Apollo spent the whole day going round and round with his head up being strung out, so we could be back to square one!
I'm going to lunge him in a roller with side reins, and someone has also given me tips to get him to drop his head by fixing my hands low on my thighs and squeeze like little birds in my hand and strong leg to push him into the contact.
We can but try!!

[admin]

Hello,

I fully agree with everything that has been said so far here - great advice

There are a couple of things that I'd like to add.

The first is to suggest getting a physio to show you some carrot stretches. They should help loosen out any knots he may have in his muscles which could be stopping him working.

The second thing is about side reins. I've seen loads of people use them to great effect - so I'm not poo pooing them all, just my personal experience with Tilly.

As soon as I put them tight enough to have any sort of contact she would fight them and suck her chin into her chest - like she was being ridden in very very tight draw reins - stoopid horse.

Someone recommended I use a lungeebungee - basically a long piece of elastic that runs from the lunging rollar where you'd attach side reins, through the bit over the poll, back through the bit on the other side and along to the other side of the roller. Because it is so stretchy Tilly didn't feel as confined by it and could relax into the contact much better. If your lad fights agains the contact he may too find the side reins too constricting and may like a lungee bungee too.

Another big advantage to this is that you can ride in them too, but connecting the loose ends to the girth running the bungee between the legs. I think I used it like this three or four times, but it really helped Tilly to understand she COULD work in an outline whilst being ridden. Although I'm very warey of using any gadgets I felt that occassionally using this was better than hacking at her mouth like a saw as some people seem to do!

Good luck with your lad.

Olivia

[JoM]

To get D to drop 'into an outline' I find he is much easier to put in if I drop my hands very low and rest on the top of my thigh,like someone has suggested to you. However, my instructor has told me off numerous times for fixing my hands when they are there. They are to remain loose, supple and light. As soon as I fix them D becomes very heavy in my hands. He is basically using me to carry him! This is the penance for fixed hands! If I squeeze the reins, like wringing out a sponge and remain light he will drop his head. Once his head has dropped I 'give it away' so to speak as a reward. I do this just by releasing my fingers with my inside rein for a few seconds, and then take it back again. You may find (as these animals are far to bright for their own good!) that he will do a 'Dancer classic' and realise that he can no longer evade the bit by going pokinose and will drop his head down even further, so he can evade by getting behind it now. A small, sharp tickle with the spur makes him bring his headd back up again and into position, which is then rewarded by 'giving it away'

If he does insist on leaning on you - throw it away as my instructor tells me! Basically give him your contact - after he has tripped up over his own face, a few times he will stop leaning and start using himself!

I seem to have gone off on a tangent - sorry!!! I hope you dont think I am teaching you to suck eggs!! ;D