Your riding inspires me. I love how you talked about that “metal bit” in their mouths as a reminder that we should have gentle hands. And you make me realize the need for an independent seat. So much good stuff here. I plan to watch each day before I ride. Thanks so much !!
The gental hands with contect of rein giving much comfort to horses mouth and horse response well. I like watching your such brood. Thank. All the best
Just want to tell you how happy I am to have a private teacher in California(!). You don't know how much I have learned from you over the last couple of years that I have followed your educational vlog (+ Joseph's). The way you pinpoint all the small, but important details in the art of riding is really invaluable to me. Here is fun fact: I returned to the "horse world" recently after 6 months off due to health issues, and my teacher then commented in surprise that my riding had improved, and I told her that the reason probably is my private teacher Amelia....Thanx a lot, I wish you all the best, and a merry X-mas
Thank you so very much! This demonstration was probably the best explanation for getting on the bit, how to get your horse more forward, round and supple as well as your seat vs hand positions working harmoniously. 🌺
Thank you Amelia! You always seem to know our struggles in each moment! I have a young Lusitano (5 yo) and he's super sensitive in his mouth... we are still struggling to work always on the bit! So thank you very much for sharing your knowledge! :)
Thank you for the very clear step by step instructions for getting the horse on the bit! And thanks to Don Carlos for having the same distraction issue as my mare :) This was a very helpful video and I think it helped me figure out what step I've been missing!
Hi Amelia…. I am gonna tell u that because of u I ´ve learned and understand how to take a contact with my horse . I ride alone and I am really thankful, you r my ridding icone , your videos are vety helpful and i hope i will ride One day as you 🙏🤍🤍
Love how you explained the progression of cues. I train and show rein cowhorse/ranch horses and I was just looking for some inspiration from a different point of view and this was excellent.
That was extremely helpful - especially giving a kick when they slow down to 3mp faster and then they can come back to the speed you want to maintain w/reward when they move forward - can't wait to try it tomorrow - thank you!
I would really love more videos like this on what to do with legs, seat and hands when asking the horse for different things. I can’t find step by step videos like that. And thanks for showing a sunny day. In Norway it has been raining for three weeks straight, so I’m living through you right now😅 Happy holidays Amelia!
I was starting the lawnmower all the time, now I am working with my trainer on not starting lawnmowers anymore and I am proud to say I discovered that I have fingers and that they are mighty hahahah, thank you Amelia!
A tip for getting nice light hands: take a long piece of string or sewing thread and fold it in half. Stretch your leg out in front of you with your foot bare, and put the loop across the bottom of your foot and toes. Start giving signals to your foot like you would your horse. If the thread breaks, you were using far too much pressure. Grab a new piece, and try again. The bottoms of one's feet are nice and sensitive. You'll develop nice light hands and subtle cues very quickly. 😁
Thank you Amelia, this video is very helpful. One piece of the puzzle and very important here as well is riding from your core always keeping it engaged to get the horse on the bit. Can you please do a video explaining riding from your core and engaging your horse’s core?
thank u for this, my Andalusian mare has a super sensitive mouth and I am really struggling to ride her nicely, never had such a problem before and your videos help alot. I love ur comments about the metal bit and lawnmower hands!
Amazing video, I needed this very much. And it's true we forget how much just little movements with our fingers can signal much more in the horses mouth. Start with less is my moto for things like this!
I always do this in a completely different way. I ride in a rope halter. At first I do not have contact on the reins at all. Once my horse is relaxed, I slowly pick up the reins. I don't need to squeeze my hands or anything. The horse gets round and starts using his hind end. So far it has worked with every horse I have ridden on. Horses who with their owners had problems being round were able to be round when I trained them. I prefer doing it this way, because it is easier to see if your horse has a problem. With a bit and squeezing, a lame horse usually hides his problems. When doing it without any force, it is more fair for the horse and he actually wants to work for you.
Great video! Thanks! Don Carlos did a good job looking like most horse that don’t want to go on the bit. He is so talented and I am sure it is not too difficult for him to go on the bit. I think good conformation and proper development go a long way toward making a horse able to stay on the bit. My last horse knew what I was asking, but I always had the feeling it was not easy for him to do. On the bit/dressage was not going to be his thing. My new horse has it naturally, but like any horse they can get tired and can only stay there so long. A rider need to know when their horse is getting tired, so that they can keep train session positive and fun for there horse. I am still learning how to not over do in the training sessions, so on the bit stays fun.
Yet another excellent video, thank you Amelia, you are amazing. I feel so encouraged and motivated, can't wait to work on my steady contact and quiet hand right tomorrow (connect my seat to the horse's back and move it.) It's not that these things are all new to me, I have infact worked on my seat for many years, but the way you explain and demonstrate things playfully is just so unique! Thank you!
This is great for me to practice, I’m riding an older warm blood that has been ridden on a draw rein for a very long time, and my goal is to get him on the bit with good carriage, with just regular reins. He tends to overbend, I think , with draw reins. He is strong , but I know he can do it. It’s me that needs the help, I am a total novice. Will practice this :)
The horse will actually put themselves "on the bit" when actively moving from the hind end and over the back into the bit. The problem I see is the horse never gets the chance, they're just yanked in and kicked on and the rider see-saws to get/keep the horse "on the bit." I see very unhappy mouths on these horses, teeth showing and tongue out which results in a tighter flash. Great insight if anyone is interested: search on youtube "Stop trying to get your horse on the (bleeping) bit."
I ride multiple horses, some go on the bit themselves a few times and some go on the bit automatically the whole ride. I find it fascinating to see how a horse just does that without having to be asked. I then see other riders on the same horse, and their not doing anything wrong there just so focused on having the horse on the bit that it's actually more difficult for them then when you just let it happen. But for some horses I ride you do have to ask for them to ride on the bit the whole time.
I stumbled upon your videos Amelia, thank you so much for sharing, you are absolutely brilliant and your tips have been very helpful. I currently have a horse thats way more advanced than me and trying to learn everything I can to catch up. It got a bit disheartening, but pushing through and kept trying and then my marks went up 3.5% last month. I genuinely try to picture my body in the same position as yours and to ride as you do (defo a work in progress!) but again thank you so much, you are providing so much value and we are grateful!😊
A video please on how to keep a consistent contact and proper connect in canter! Have a lovely little mare who is really starting to work through walk and trot but canter is tight and inconsistent x
Great video. I finally mentally grasped the concept that many things can be addressed with the seat, and hand/reins should not be the default go - to remedy. Now, it’s a matter of building muscle memory in my brain to allow my hips/core/seat to respond as the primary correction and see if that resolves it before using my hands which I’m sure is experienced by my horse as an annoying interference with his mouth and face.
Amelia, what a talented instructor you are (in addition to a terrific rider). Your piece by piece explanations help me see the impact of each aid and therefore, makes it easier to do when I am riding. Just so happy to have your insights.
Very good. I think people might be missing the importance of the principle of bend. When you are bending him just a little he is flexing virtical and softens and rounds. Remember Clinton says The key to virtical flexion is latteral flexion. ONly the experienced rider can see what you are doing. A green horse needs many rides cross country through the trees and rocks to get the feel of being bent. When you can move his hind quarters and back then you are getting ready for collection. Carry on
Thank you! My instructor keeps on telling me to do this and I’m so confused so I just pull back. This helped me to understand how to do it without harmig the horse. Thanks!
Your videos are so helpful! Obviously I can't get lessons atm so watching your videos really helps to keep me in check when I'm riding how I want, otherwise I'll relax to much and no one will tell me to correct myself! 😂 x
This video is very helpful. Thanks for making it. I sure would love to see it with a less highly trained horse, and perhaps one with a western background!
Thanks for this feedback! I'll definitely take it into consideration for my future videos! Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe if you'd like to stay notified of my new weekly content!
In my experience, you can't get a horse on the bit without quiet hands. It's when your hands are steady and soft enough that your horse trusts them enough to start lowering its head.
This is such a controversial subject.. The sources all say the same things about steady outside rein, inside leg, sponging the inside rein, etc, but there are some foundational steps and subtleties that are never discussed, and without these, most people just end up wiggling and jiggling their hands and fingers until the horse basically drops its head out of annoyance more than anything else.. Also note that another common technique of outside hand steady and super busy inside hand is really no different from the horse's perspective than the see-sawing that we are all warned against. Yes, the inside rein flexes and encourages suppleness, but it's encouragement, not coercion that we are after, and this is one of those subtleties.. The first, you touched on- the horse going forward, but not only forward, but actually carrying from the hind. A good test after asking for forward is a step or two of leg yield, travers/renvers and back to straight to feel the hind stepping under and the back coming up underneath and carrying you as you straighten. This sets the horse up to release into a round contact, which you also touch on briefly, but which I feel is probably the most important point. Getting the horse "on the bit" is not all about pushing forward with the leg and taking with the rein.. Yes, you can get some horses to take an outline this way, but this is NOT "on the bit" .. There must be a softening or release of contact in the hands to allow the horse to come down and round. This is the premise behind Baucher's famous "descente de main". This doesn't mean putting your hands forward and throwing away the contact that you have worked so hard to establish, but to use the feel of the horse through the rein to soften your contact allow and encourage the lowering of the head and rounding of the neck. And again, this really only works once the hind end and back are already carrying, so going forward and having the hind engaged and the back up are the first step.
I’m concerned that riders will think it’s fine to ride around BTV, it’s not. There are studies that show this to be harmful to the horse. Round doesn’t mean an over bent neck. Poll the highest point:)
The thing is, I am riding a school pony who doesn’t know what to do when you “play” a little with the bit. She has learned to ignore most of that, bc kinds/beginners don’t have those quiet hands. They mess things up sometimes - wich is perfectly normal, but many of those Tipps won’t work on these horses. - I personally think. I am not a great rider, but not a beginner anymore, so maybe it’ll work for very good ones better)
Thanks Kathleen! I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale on Sunday 12th Sept at 12pm Pacific Time. You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there! www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
hehe then things get more complicated! I have a few more videos that can help on my channel, but I also have a Contact and Connection Workshop that goes into all the variations :) dressage-training-progress.teachable.com/p/contact-connection
so I ride this horse that sometimes kinda goes on the bit himself. I didn't like the way my instructor explained going on the bit, a lot of pulling on the mouth. so I just let the horse do whatever it wants with its head. because I want find a way with less pulling. So I liked this way. it's explained a lot clearer then other people I've heard explaining it. usually it's something along the lines of "a bit of leg and a bit of hand" wich is just not clear in my opinion lol.
Amelia, What a wonderful, fun, and concise explanation. I had a question regarding your bit. My horse an OTTB who is just learning, he flips his tongue over the bit and chews constantly. I would like for him to stretch down and get long and relaxed prior working on contact . I switched from my Herm Sprenger KK Ultra to a Nathe snaffle. It has been suggested trying the Neue Schule Team up . I am confused. Your video has shown me what I need to work on, I just want to make sure my bit is mouth friendly for my horse. Thank you in advance for any guidance you might have.
Use a flash noseband to stop him opening his mouth to put the tongue over the bit...the bit might also be too low in his mouth. DO NOT let that habit continue xxx
lovely, generous horse. And super sitting trot by you - I need to oil the hinges in my lower back! Wanted also to compliment you on ... the fantastic top you are wearing. Love the design. Mind if I ask the make?
When you start this, you will give completely, when the horse gives to the rein. Because you want to make sure, the horse understands what you want. You can start on the ground, just take a hold of the rein and put pressure, if the horse tries to take the head down, or jank, or lifts its head, just keep the pressure, and the moment you feel it getting soft in your hands, you let go of the reins. Repeat until the horse does it as soon as you ask. Then repeat when you are in the saddle, it's a new activity, so you have to help the horse make the connection from the ground. Shouldn't take long, and same, as soon as the horse gives to pressure, you let go of the reins. After a while, you can just soften the grip of the reins, as a reward. Now the horse feels safe with its mouth in your hands, and you can start working. If this doesn't work, you probably need to start with the bit, the horse is telling you that it doesn't feel comfortable, so the bit might be placed to high in its mouth (don't count wrinkles, the horse will show you what is right for it) or you need a different bit, all horses react differently, and likes different types of bits. When the placement, and the bit is right for your horse, you won't need a noseband. The horse will only open its mouth, if your hands are not soft enough, or the task is to hard. I know, because I tried. And even if the horse had an unknown tendon injury, she still chose to work with me. And my reward, was a horse that was galloping in place in frustration, with barely any pressure on the reins, to keep her from running after her friend, that had spooked and was galloping home. (And I didn't even have a noseband to keep her mouth shut)
when the horse is in the contact and is straight I don't need to move the reins or squeeze the reins but sadly I'm not straight so I push my horse to the side so I have to straighten myself first and after I straighten him with the reins and legs, by letting go of the rein he is pulling and taking more contact in the other to stabilize the reins so they both feel the same 😻😹 but there are many reasons as to why people take rein contact such as when struggling to bend or showing direction, or to give more support, but most of the time if the horse is stable the hands will get stable/still too 😻
“Send smiley faces to him” ☺️ I love that!! What a cute saying to reflect how much we should be rewarding our horses for their hard work ❤️
Yes!!
I will say a lot to get use to it
Your riding inspires me. I love how you talked about that “metal bit” in their mouths as a reminder that we should have gentle hands. And you make me realize the need for an independent seat. So much good stuff here. I plan to watch each day before I ride. Thanks so much !!
Just discovered your videos ; so helpful , great way of describing the contacts!!!
Same!! I’ve learnt so much. My poor horse 🤣
I love that you show a horse, which is also interested in the surroundings and therefore not as easy to get on the bit ☺️👍 Love your videos!
Thank you! 😊
“Starting a lawn mower” 🤣 so true with some riders ! I also like to use a grab strap as stability
🤣🤣🤣
I loved that comment!
I loved watching how you handled the distracted horse before getting him on the bit!! Thank you!
The gental hands with contect of rein giving much comfort to horses mouth and horse response well. I like watching your such brood.
Thank. All the best
Just want to tell you how happy I am to have a private teacher in California(!). You don't know how much I have learned from you over the last couple of years that I have followed your educational vlog (+ Joseph's). The way you pinpoint all the small, but important details in the art of riding is really invaluable to me. Here is fun fact: I returned to the "horse world" recently after 6 months off due to health issues, and my teacher then commented in surprise that my riding had improved, and I told her that the reason probably is my private teacher Amelia....Thanx a lot, I wish you all the best, and a merry X-mas
Thank you so very much!
This demonstration was probably the best explanation for getting on the bit, how to get your horse more forward, round and supple as well as your seat vs hand positions working harmoniously. 🌺
Thank you Amelia! You always seem to know our struggles in each moment! I have a young Lusitano (5 yo) and he's super sensitive in his mouth... we are still struggling to work always on the bit! So thank you very much for sharing your knowledge! :)
Your instruction and videos are probably the best on here! Thank you so much for making this content ❤!
Thank you for the very clear step by step instructions for getting the horse on the bit! And thanks to Don Carlos for having the same distraction issue as my mare :) This was a very helpful video and I think it helped me figure out what step I've been missing!
Great explanations and letting him come to you without excessive force on the bit
Hi Amelia…. I am gonna tell u that because of u I ´ve learned and understand how to take a contact with my horse . I ride alone and I am really thankful, you r my ridding icone , your videos are vety helpful and i hope i will ride One day as you 🙏🤍🤍
That's great!
Watching again. Struggling to put all the pieces together while I am aboard, but it's good to keep hearing it over and over.
Love how you explained the progression of cues. I train and show rein cowhorse/ranch horses and I was just looking for some inspiration from a different point of view and this was excellent.
Thank you Amelia, for making clear, logical steps to something that has always seemed so nebulous and esoteric (or. Fuzzy!), Love this video !!!
That was extremely helpful - especially giving a kick when they slow down to 3mp faster and then they can come back to the speed you want to maintain w/reward when they move forward - can't wait to try it tomorrow - thank you!
Great to hear!
I would really love more videos like this on what to do with legs, seat and hands when asking the horse for different things. I can’t find step by step videos like that.
And thanks for showing a sunny day. In Norway it has been raining for three weeks straight, so I’m living through you right now😅
Happy holidays Amelia!
I was starting the lawnmower all the time, now I am working with my trainer on not starting lawnmowers anymore and I am proud to say I discovered that I have fingers and that they are mighty hahahah, thank you Amelia!
A tip for getting nice light hands: take a long piece of string or sewing thread and fold it in half. Stretch your leg out in front of you with your foot bare, and put the loop across the bottom of your foot and toes. Start giving signals to your foot like you would your horse. If the thread breaks, you were using far too much pressure. Grab a new piece, and try again. The bottoms of one's feet are nice and sensitive. You'll develop nice light hands and subtle cues very quickly. 😁
Thank you Amelia, this video is very helpful. One piece of the puzzle and very important here as well is riding from your core always keeping it engaged to get the horse on the bit. Can you please do a video explaining riding from your core and engaging your horse’s core?
thank u for this, my Andalusian mare has a super sensitive mouth and I am really struggling to ride her nicely, never had such a problem before and your videos help alot. I love ur comments about the metal bit and lawnmower hands!
I love watching your short video's. Really well explained. I need to work on my seat and transitions some more ❤
You can do it!
Absolutely best video ever! I exactly have this issue too with my horses! Thanks so much!
Amazing video, I needed this very much. And it's true we forget how much just little movements with our fingers can signal much more in the horses mouth. Start with less is my moto for things like this!
Yes! Awesome!!
This was the video that did it - I am now subscribed!
Glad it worked so well for you!
Thank you for this video, spot on was I needed to see and hear.
Great explanation Amelia. Simple, clear and so accurate! Listen up everyone!
I always do this in a completely different way. I ride in a rope halter. At first I do not have contact on the reins at all. Once my horse is relaxed, I slowly pick up the reins. I don't need to squeeze my hands or anything. The horse gets round and starts using his hind end. So far it has worked with every horse I have ridden on. Horses who with their owners had problems being round were able to be round when I trained them. I prefer doing it this way, because it is easier to see if your horse has a problem. With a bit and squeezing, a lame horse usually hides his problems. When doing it without any force, it is more fair for the horse and he actually wants to work for you.
This video just popped up on its own and it's just what I needed! Thanks as always for your wisdom!
so glad to hear that! Thank you for sharing.
super clear thank you
Brilliant, thank you. This was I think the first piece of advice that actually helped.
Glad to hear that!
i really love her video! it is really helpful!
I'm so glad!
Great video! Thanks! Don Carlos did a good job looking like most horse that don’t want to go on the bit. He is so talented and I am sure it is not too difficult for him to go on the bit. I think good conformation and proper development go a long way toward making a horse able to stay on the bit. My last horse knew what I was asking, but I always had the feeling it was not easy for him to do. On the bit/dressage was not going to be his thing. My new horse has it naturally, but like any horse they can get tired and can only stay there so long. A rider need to know when their horse is getting tired, so that they can keep train session positive and fun for there horse. I am still learning how to not over do in the training sessions, so on the bit stays fun.
Sounds like you’re on the right track!
Love your instructional videos. You make things so clear and easy to understand
Thank-you. Beautiful lesson.
Literally The Best video I have Ever seen! Well done!
Very helpful and clear!! Thank you!
Yet another excellent video, thank you Amelia, you are amazing. I feel so encouraged and motivated, can't wait to work on my steady contact and quiet hand right tomorrow (connect my seat to the horse's back and move it.) It's not that these things are all new to me, I have infact worked on my seat for many years, but the way you explain and demonstrate things playfully is just so unique! Thank you!
Yay!! Awesome!!
This is great for me to practice, I’m riding an older warm blood that has been ridden on a draw rein for a very long time, and my goal is to get him on the bit with good carriage, with just regular reins. He tends to overbend, I think , with draw reins. He is strong , but I know he can do it. It’s me that needs the help, I am a total novice. Will practice this :)
Very Good explanations. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Great tutorial! Thank you for not promoting see-sawing, that was refreshing ;)
The horse will actually put themselves "on the bit" when actively moving from the hind end and over the back into the bit. The problem I see is the horse never gets the chance, they're just yanked in and kicked on and the rider see-saws to get/keep the horse "on the bit." I see very unhappy mouths on these horses, teeth showing and tongue out which results in a tighter flash. Great insight if anyone is interested: search on youtube "Stop trying to get your horse on the (bleeping) bit."
Yes!! You can see this happening all the way up to the top professional Olympic level too.
Thank you Amelia for all your video that show and explain the correct way to ride. They have been so helpful to me
I ride multiple horses, some go on the bit themselves a few times and some go on the bit automatically the whole ride.
I find it fascinating to see how a horse just does that without having to be asked. I then see other riders on the same horse, and their not doing anything wrong there just so focused on having the horse on the bit that it's actually more difficult for them then when you just let it happen.
But for some horses I ride you do have to ask for them to ride on the bit the whole time.
really helpful. clear, specific, THANK YOU
Glad it was helpful!
I stumbled upon your videos Amelia, thank you so much for sharing, you are absolutely brilliant and your tips have been very helpful. I currently have a horse thats way more advanced than me and trying to learn everything I can to catch up. It got a bit disheartening, but pushing through and kept trying and then my marks went up 3.5% last month. I genuinely try to picture my body in the same position as yours and to ride as you do (defo a work in progress!) but again thank you so much, you are providing so much value and we are grateful!😊
Yay!! Glad to hear this!
Best demonstration I’ve seen
Very good instruction video! thank-you so much!
A video please on how to keep a consistent contact and proper connect in canter! Have a lovely little mare who is really starting to work through walk and trot but canter is tight and inconsistent x
This video helped me a lot. I'll try to apply what you said in my next lesson :)
What a gorgeous horse
Great video. I finally mentally grasped the concept that many things can be addressed with the seat, and hand/reins should not be the default go - to remedy. Now, it’s a matter of building muscle memory in my brain to allow my hips/core/seat to respond as the primary correction and see if that resolves it before using my hands which I’m sure is experienced by my horse as an annoying interference with his mouth and face.
Thank you for telling what "contact" means !
Just love it - a great way of explaining ❤
Amelia, what a talented instructor you are (in addition to a terrific rider). Your piece by piece explanations help me see the impact of each aid and therefore, makes it easier to do when I am riding. Just so happy to have your insights.
Your horses are soooo cute
Excellent simple explanation. I love it...now to work on it...
Im going to listen to your video while I ride my boy! Your explanations are so helpfuL!
Thank you very much ; you are a great theacher
Very good. I think people might be missing the importance of the principle of bend. When you are bending him just a little he is flexing virtical and softens and rounds. Remember Clinton says The key to virtical flexion is latteral flexion. ONly the experienced rider can see what you are doing. A green horse needs many rides cross country through the trees and rocks to get the feel of being bent. When you can move his hind quarters and back then you are getting ready for collection. Carry on
Good point! Thanks!
awesome video, thank you, will be using fingers more to establish connection instead of all hands
This video was very useful indeed, thank you.
absolutely loved this video...so helpful! thanks as always for putting out great informational videos! Carol
*shouldn’t be starting a lawnmower* am going to remember that one... 😂 thank you for the great explanations!
Thank you! My instructor keeps on telling me to do this and I’m so confused so I just pull back. This helped me to understand how to do it without harmig the horse. Thanks!
Great explanations! 😊
Very helpful. Thank you 😊
This was so helpful thank you!
That was such a great and thorough explanation Amelia - thank you so much for sharing these tips!
I really enjoy your videos! Thanks!
Yay! Awesome!
Great video !! Seat seat seat is pivotal for good riding
Thanks, Gacias !
you’re the best. thank you. Happy New Year
Your videos are so helpful! Obviously I can't get lessons atm so watching your videos really helps to keep me in check when I'm riding how I want, otherwise I'll relax to much and no one will tell me to correct myself! 😂 x
Amazing video 😍 But what about stretching at the beginning? 😊
This video is very helpful. Thanks for making it. I sure would love to see it with a less highly trained horse, and perhaps one with a western background!
Thanks for this feedback! I'll definitely take it into consideration for my future videos! Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe if you'd like to stay notified of my new weekly content!
Great video! Thanks!
In my experience, you can't get a horse on the bit without quiet hands. It's when your hands are steady and soft enough that your horse trusts them enough to start lowering its head.
Super helpful. Thank you!
Thank you amazing lesson
This is such a controversial subject.. The sources all say the same things about steady outside rein, inside leg, sponging the inside rein, etc, but there are some foundational steps and subtleties that are never discussed, and without these, most people just end up wiggling and jiggling their hands and fingers until the horse basically drops its head out of annoyance more than anything else.. Also note that another common technique of outside hand steady and super busy inside hand is really no different from the horse's perspective than the see-sawing that we are all warned against. Yes, the inside rein flexes and encourages suppleness, but it's encouragement, not coercion that we are after, and this is one of those subtleties..
The first, you touched on- the horse going forward, but not only forward, but actually carrying from the hind. A good test after asking for forward is a step or two of leg yield, travers/renvers and back to straight to feel the hind stepping under and the back coming up underneath and carrying you as you straighten. This sets the horse up to release into a round contact, which you also touch on briefly, but which I feel is probably the most important point. Getting the horse "on the bit" is not all about pushing forward with the leg and taking with the rein.. Yes, you can get some horses to take an outline this way, but this is NOT "on the bit" .. There must be a softening or release of contact in the hands to allow the horse to come down and round. This is the premise behind Baucher's famous "descente de main". This doesn't mean putting your hands forward and throwing away the contact that you have worked so hard to establish, but to use the feel of the horse through the rein to soften your contact allow and encourage the lowering of the head and rounding of the neck. And again, this really only works once the hind end and back are already carrying, so going forward and having the hind engaged and the back up are the first step.
I’m concerned that riders will think it’s fine to ride around BTV, it’s not. There are studies that show this to be harmful to the horse. Round doesn’t mean an over bent neck. Poll the highest point:)
This is a very poignant observation .
could you please explain the right whay tho? I'm so confused, every one says something different...
The thing is, I am riding a school pony who doesn’t know what to do when you “play” a little with the bit. She has learned to ignore most of that, bc kinds/beginners don’t have those quiet hands. They mess things up sometimes - wich is perfectly normal, but many of those Tipps won’t work on these horses. - I personally think.
I am not a great rider, but not a beginner anymore, so maybe it’ll work for very good ones better)
@@johanna7096 but the thing is, playing with the bit is not right. You should have steady hands, but you can do half halts
Awesome tips! Thx!
Thanks Kathleen!
I'm giving a free webinar on the Dressage Training Scale on Sunday 12th Sept at 12pm Pacific Time. You can sign up at the link below! I would love to see you there!
www.ameliasdressageacademy.com/trainingscalewebinar
Thank you for this Amelia! This is really helpful !
Great explanation! What if the horse is too forward? Pulling and leaning? Thank you 😊
hehe then things get more complicated! I have a few more videos that can help on my channel, but I also have a Contact and Connection Workshop that goes into all the variations :) dressage-training-progress.teachable.com/p/contact-connection
Thank you, that was very helpful.
Thanks for sharing another great video!
i love this!!!!!
Thank you knew about 90 o/o of your tuition but the devil is in the detail. Thank you for being so correct 😊
Great video, really helpful 😊
Great help😊
Hi, love the lesson. I think to improve the seat, you have to have the right, saddle. What saddle, are you using. The knee blocks, look, great.
Thank that was good
so I ride this horse that sometimes kinda goes on the bit himself. I didn't like the way my instructor explained going on the bit, a lot of pulling on the mouth. so I just let the horse do whatever it wants with its head. because I want find a way with less pulling.
So I liked this way. it's explained a lot clearer then other people I've heard explaining it. usually it's something along the lines of "a bit of leg and a bit of hand" wich is just not clear in my opinion lol.
It`s a great video, thank you :)
Thank u
Hola!! Ppdrías mostrar ejercicios para mejorar los apoyos? Gracias
Hi there! I think you mean, 'stirrups' I have some great videos on that: ruclips.net/video/NJyhdb5EvnA/видео.html
Amelia,
What a wonderful, fun, and concise explanation. I had a question regarding your bit. My horse an OTTB who is just learning, he flips his tongue over the bit and chews constantly. I would like for him to stretch down and get long and relaxed prior working on contact . I switched from my Herm Sprenger KK Ultra to a Nathe snaffle. It has been suggested trying the Neue Schule Team up . I am confused. Your video has shown me what I need to work on, I just want to make sure my bit is mouth friendly for my horse. Thank you in advance for any guidance you might have.
Use a flash noseband to stop him opening his mouth to put the tongue over the bit...the bit might also be too low in his mouth. DO NOT let that habit continue xxx
Hi Amelia. When you say inside leg, you mean steady contact or just press an release the preasure? Thanks for your videos
Good question! Press and release when you see a response from your horse.
lovely, generous horse. And super sitting trot by you - I need to oil the hinges in my lower back! Wanted also to compliment you on ... the fantastic top you are wearing. Love the design. Mind if I ask the make?
V interesting love this video
When you start this, you will give completely, when the horse gives to the rein. Because you want to make sure, the horse understands what you want.
You can start on the ground, just take a hold of the rein and put pressure, if the horse tries to take the head down, or jank, or lifts its head, just keep the pressure, and the moment you feel it getting soft in your hands, you let go of the reins.
Repeat until the horse does it as soon as you ask.
Then repeat when you are in the saddle, it's a new activity, so you have to help the horse make the connection from the ground.
Shouldn't take long, and same, as soon as the horse gives to pressure, you let go of the reins.
After a while, you can just soften the grip of the reins, as a reward.
Now the horse feels safe with its mouth in your hands, and you can start working.
If this doesn't work, you probably need to start with the bit, the horse is telling you that it doesn't feel comfortable, so the bit might be placed to high in its mouth (don't count wrinkles, the horse will show you what is right for it) or you need a different bit, all horses react differently, and likes different types of bits.
When the placement, and the bit is right for your horse, you won't need a noseband.
The horse will only open its mouth, if your hands are not soft enough, or the task is to hard.
I know, because I tried.
And even if the horse had an unknown tendon injury, she still chose to work with me.
And my reward, was a horse that was galloping in place in frustration, with barely any pressure on the reins, to keep her from running after her friend, that had spooked and was galloping home.
(And I didn't even have a noseband to keep her mouth shut)
when the horse is in the contact and is straight I don't need to move the reins or squeeze the reins but sadly I'm not straight so I push my horse to the side so I have to straighten myself first and after I straighten him with the reins and legs, by letting go of the rein he is pulling and taking more contact in the other to stabilize the reins so they both feel the same 😻😹 but there are many reasons as to why people take rein contact such as when struggling to bend or showing direction, or to give more support, but most of the time if the horse is stable the hands will get stable/still too 😻
Great self-reflection!