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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
 
Location: Northern Ontario | Any tricks to help a horse stay off the forehand at the lope? My mare needs to learn to push from behind. |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
 
Location: Missouri | Proper collection, which takes a lot of time and patience.
eta: I hate to write down how I do this, b/c I'm sure I'll miss some steps. And, we all do it differently. Plus, I think you were looking for a quick fix, and there just isn't.
My 5 y/o is naturally heavy in the front. He's had about 100 rides with pro trainers, and I've ridden him in between. He is just now to the point where I can ask him to hold a collected frame for a few strides. Every horse is different, and this one is s..l..o..w to learn! lol!
If your horse is soft in the face (flexes laterally & vertically) and responds to leg pressure, you can start to drive him into the bridle at a trot (or a walk, but my horse retains nothing when done at a walk! ha!) His stride will shorten, his back will round, his neck will raise, and his face will soften. Release immediately. Don't expect to be able to hold this more than a stride or two at first. When you can trot a few "collected" strides, you can check yourself once in a while by releasing leg pressure, which should mean that your horse stops.
I'm to the point with my horse where I trot straight lines asking him to hold his frame, then pitch him the reins and let him trot out, ask him to come back, then out....
Eventually, he will develop muscles to hold his frame longer and longer (and at faster speeds.)
Hope this helps a little 
Edited by just4fun 2015-03-31 10:03 AM
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Collection, collection, collection... She needs hind end muscles to be able to support herself. Also, lots of half halts can help engage the hind end |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
Location: Northern Ontario | I think I am the problem. She is a lazy horse that will only give you 20% if you only ask for that. I had a trainer ride her at a clinic this weekend and he had her working so nice. Not collected but atleast she was forward and off her forhand |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Is there anyone in your area you can take monthly or semi-monthly lessons with? I would recommend even a dressage trainer. I put a dressage foundation on all of mine and it really does help them. Reining would work too |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
Location: Northern Ontario | She collects very well at the trot and is broke all over.... I can push her hind end, shoulders...whatever. she is light in her face and always breaks at the poll when I apply pressure....except at the lope. She can only hold it a few strides but that us not what I am looking for really. I just want a forward balanced lope where she is slightly lighter in her front. I want her to push from behind. I don't know if I am actually making any sense lol. I don't necessarily want a faster stride; I want a longer more balanced stride
Edited by SuperTrooper 2015-03-31 10:30 AM
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Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | SuperTrooper - 2015-03-31 10:14 AM She collects very well at the trot and is broke all over.... I can push her hind end, shoulders...whatever. she is light in her face and always breaks at the poll when I apply pressure....except at the lope. She can only hold it a few strides but that us not what I am looking for really. I just want a forward balanced lope where she is slightly lighter in her front. I want her to push from behind. I don't know if I am actually making any sense lol.
To me, your goal sounds like collection, but what you are currently getting is her face...which isn't collection at all. It takes A LOT of work for the horse to engage the hind end, so if you want a forward, balanced lope, you will have to start with a couple of strides before expecting them to hold it. And, there should always be release from working so hard...she should be allowed to stretch back long and low. I was just reading an article recently that stated stretching down helped with their mental state and willingness to try... that way they know a release is coming after the intense work...
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I like to do downward transitions from the lope, but when you ask her to break down to a trot, really push her into a fast, extended trot. Don't let her just dump on her front end and slow down. Just an exercise to help. I like to do this in a field on a straightaway and change leads everytime. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Someone posted this a while back and it goes along with the head lowering....
http://youtu.be/I8cOq7YWXys |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | How are you sitting when you're looking? Are you forward, even slightly, or are you sitting straight up? If you're more forward, that can cause them to put more weight on the front end as they try to balance. If I have one that is heavy on the forehand, I will sit more straight up and push a little deeper with my seat like a dressage rider. I try to stay centered which helps them balance. Then I also use my whole leg as well to help keep them forward and round.
I also do lunging with donut side reins and that helps a lot, but the fact that another rider can make him balance makes me wonder if it's your position that's making the difference. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
Location: Northern Ontario | It's def. Something I am doing. I got on after and wow! She was so forward and balanced. I have trouble sitting deep so that might be it. |
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