At 82, I don't ride anymore. But I still remember English lessons in the 1950s when my instructor taught me that contact with the horse's mouth should be "like a butterfly on the end of a string". That phrase rings in my head 60 years later! And that lesson served me well, whether riding Western, English or gaited horses.
After riding for most of my life, I firmly believe the first step to get a horse on the bit is to teach them to give to your hand, especially on the outside rein. This is why so many people struggle to get their horse on the bit. Going fowards means nothing if when you ask with your hand/rlbow, the nose mouth doesn't give. Sit on their back, stand still, explain to them ! Use carrots as a reward, make a fuss when they 'give' to your fingers/hand/ elbow. It has to be an auto matic reaction for them. Then add in using your inside leg on the circle to your 'asking' outside rein, and use your inside rein to adjust where the nose sits after it has dropped. Got that? Practice starting trot steps out of your on-the-bit walk on the circle. Bit, by bit, by bit. Each step has to be explained to your horse, then addbits together. Happy riding. ❤
After you pick up reins can you add step by step what you do to make him round. Loved the explanation but everyone explains it differently or leaves out which reins is doing what and when
Thanks for the replies! This is the most basic crude steps. The finesse of riding 'up to' the bit comes after this. I've encountered so many people briskly riding forwards hoping the on-the-bit will appear, when their horse has no idea how to 'give' to the contact (half halt on the outside rein). People end up riding a very fast giraffe and they get frustrated why this forwards thing doesn't work, and give up. This is also where the pulling comes from that Joseph talks about. Horse going forward, head in the air, rider pulling or hanging on the mouth hoping something will happen. Your horse doesn't want to be difficult, they just haven't learnt to give to the outside rein and 'sit' on it, and neither has the rider (who is also learning!).
Exactly! I had to spend years learning the hard way. I want to help others who are struggling also 'get it'. Mary Wanless is also a great source. @@mirandy1014
Finally, a video that may help me! 🙏. I always warm up with a long rein, working abit long and low also to stretch his back, but also to start with self carriage so he doesn't think i'm there to hold him, as before i started loaning him he was very heavy in your hands!, and thankfully now he has learnt to hold himself just from starting off on a long rein. Anyway, that's been achieved as well as many other things on the training scale, but it's actually getting him on the bit and staying there. I was looking for a video just like this, so i am absolutely giving this a try!! Many thanks 🏴
lol I JUST asked the same question! Everyone makes good vids but ALWAYS leaves something out. And then the getting on the bit vids doesn’t say which rein is doing what and when. Frustrating
I wish I remembered who said it, but one of the quotes that I heard early in my riding career but it didn't click until much later was that "you must release your horse into contact". Depending on the horse's stage of training, this could mean completely letting go, or simply switching from a "guiding" hand to a "following" hand, but the horse always goes rounder and with more connection with the "release".
Yes these things work but almost surely most often the problem is a lack of energy and rider fear of energy. You need to feed horses, they need energy or they wont be interested in carrying themselves, you need to be able to ride forward and know how to deal with the odd buck by riding it out elegantly and gently. Unless a horses mouth is ruined they will aways respond to a gentle hand if there is enough fuel in the tank to want to. Horse age is also a thing, young horses get tired quickly. But honestly a horse should be on the bit before it's even backed. It should be responsive on the long rein, in its halter, in general handling. It should want to take your hand lightly and follow its lead, not drag behind like an aged dog on a leash. As gently as a butterfly on a string as Sarah bellow said. If it's tired and underfed you are never going to achieve that because the butterfly wont have the energy to even flap its wings.
Thank you! I’ve literally been struggling with this problem. This came at the perfect time! Is it just me or is it easier to frame a horse bareback? Seems like I can use my leg easier without a saddle… But anyways, I subbed! Thank you.
I find the same and figured it was because without a saddle we plug our seat in better (without being heavy just connected). I wonder if sometimes we focus so much on looking good in dressage position we forget that and tense - I think I did anyway, fixed it now! Great video and so clear.
I ride English but I use western training for my horses always. I really think that the training style is easier on the horse. I have a fat little cob who is basically a farm hack who does everything on the buckle. I alway laugh when someone gets on him and is surprised by how soft he is when they pick him up and ask him to come round 😂. Well of course he’s soft he’s never been taught to ride through the hand like so many dressage trainers seem to use 😅
Dear Joseph, in another video you work the horse completly different in order to establish contact. Taking the contact, then adding energy. Here you do it the other way round - first riding forward on a loose rein, then taking the contact. At least it seems so to me. Could you explain it a little bit further - when to apply which riding. This would be very helpful. Thanks, Chris The video I am talking about is this one: th-cam.com/video/z9pW5l3ppPs/w-d-xo.html
I would sell this horse to a home that only wants to use him low key maybe 3 to 4x a week but not serious competitions he has a crooked right front and wobbly right hind which can lead to hock issues later on.
You must be one of those horrible western riders that have their horses so low that they’re almost touching the ground. That’s not riding and he doesn’t have those issues you pretend to know about, Mr TitanBuck.
Hi i am a novice rider. Can u explain why alot of horses look down when they are round? is there a way to make them round but looking forward? I love to see horses looking up and proud instead of downwards :)
That's yo do with training stage. Novice horse looks down when he is round, then you push them up from behind. It takes strength built over time for them to be round with head up as hocks must come further under. Collection is advanced.
@JavierBonillaC because THAT horse was being trained at intro level. She's now at level 2 and properly trained. That video was in 2020, 4 years ago. Nice try. Just because someone doesn't ride grand prix, doesn't mean they aren't educated on classical training. You have zero knowledge of my experience.
@JavierBonillaC while you're judging my young horse, concentrate on your hideous sitting trot. Your horse is a saint to put up with that jarring motion.
At 82, I don't ride anymore. But I still remember English lessons in the 1950s when my instructor taught me that contact with the horse's mouth should be "like a butterfly on the end of a string". That phrase rings in my head 60 years later! And that lesson served me well, whether riding Western, English or gaited horses.
Yay
So helpful! Love that you’ve used a young horse and not an older accomplished horse!
Yes! My horse is 4/5 yo and have the same issue about the teeth. Thanks!
I love how you explain things
love seeing the give and take and letting him figure it out, most people just force and hold. Let the horse share the work. Good demo.
After riding for most of my life, I firmly believe the first step to get a horse on the bit is to teach them to give to your hand, especially on the outside rein. This is why so many people struggle to get their horse on the bit. Going fowards means nothing if when you ask with your hand/rlbow, the nose mouth doesn't give. Sit on their back, stand still, explain to them ! Use carrots as a reward, make a fuss when they 'give' to your fingers/hand/ elbow. It has to be an auto matic reaction for them. Then add in using your inside leg on the circle to your 'asking' outside rein, and use your inside rein to adjust where the nose sits after it has dropped. Got that? Practice starting trot steps out of your on-the-bit walk on the circle. Bit, by bit, by bit. Each step has to be explained to your horse, then addbits together. Happy riding. ❤
Thank you!
Love how you broke that down more
After you pick up reins can you add step by step what you do to make him round. Loved the explanation but everyone explains it differently or leaves out which reins is doing what and when
Thanks for the replies! This is the most basic crude steps. The finesse of riding 'up to' the bit comes after this. I've encountered so many people briskly riding forwards hoping the on-the-bit will appear, when their horse has no idea how to 'give' to the contact (half halt on the outside rein). People end up riding a very fast giraffe and they get frustrated why this forwards thing doesn't work, and give up. This is also where the pulling comes from that Joseph talks about. Horse going forward, head in the air, rider pulling or hanging on the mouth hoping something will happen. Your horse doesn't want to be difficult, they just haven't learnt to give to the outside rein and 'sit' on it, and neither has the rider (who is also learning!).
Exactly! I had to spend years learning the hard way. I want to help others who are struggling also 'get it'. Mary Wanless is also a great source. @@mirandy1014
Omg, thank you! I've been struggling with getting a longer connection with my horse. I will def try it this way!
Thank you for sharing! Love how you explain and show these things🙌
Love it! I was a little concerned when I read the headline. So happy to see your methods are soft and correct :)
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! Very useful for my young horse.
Yay glad you like it.
This was the exact right time to see this. I’m going to try this tomorrow and I’ll let you know how it worked!
Yay. Let me know.
Finally, a video that may help me! 🙏. I always warm up with a long rein, working abit long and low also to stretch his back, but also to start with self carriage so he doesn't think i'm there to hold him, as before i started loaning him he was very heavy in your hands!, and thankfully now he has learnt to hold himself just from starting off on a long rein. Anyway, that's been achieved as well as many other things on the training scale, but it's actually getting him on the bit and staying there. I was looking for a video just like this, so i am absolutely giving this a try!! Many thanks 🏴
Very good,thanks for your clear explanation
Thank you for sharing. It works 🙂
Greetings from Germany ...
Engagement of the hind (and through it the back) is key!
And success can only be achieved if you Are able to let go of the Reins and stop pulling.
Joseph, will you do a video on how to engage the hind?
Fantastic approach!!
Thank you kindly!
Super
Havent seen this explained better❤❤❤❤
Love this video - thank you!!!
Thank you for this! Love the rehearse!
Thank you for sharing! ❤
Fun ideas. I think you need to first define "round" because its not just pole flexion. And then, what are you doing to get the horse "round"?
lol I JUST asked the same question! Everyone makes good vids but ALWAYS leaves something out.
And then the getting on the bit vids doesn’t say which rein is doing what and when. Frustrating
I wish I remembered who said it, but one of the quotes that I heard early in my riding career but it didn't click until much later was that "you must release your horse into contact". Depending on the horse's stage of training, this could mean completely letting go, or simply switching from a "guiding" hand to a "following" hand, but the horse always goes rounder and with more connection with the "release".
Love it
Good teaching method🎉
Very good explanation, thanks!
Yes👏👏
Well done!
Thankyou ❤
Main problem horse doesnt want go round )))i try to band him-he stops or go side) he resist to banding
Very helpful thankyou 😊
You’re welcome 😊
Yes these things work but almost surely most often the problem is a lack of energy and rider fear of energy. You need to feed horses, they need energy or they wont be interested in carrying themselves, you need to be able to ride forward and know how to deal with the odd buck by riding it out elegantly and gently. Unless a horses mouth is ruined they will aways respond to a gentle hand if there is enough fuel in the tank to want to. Horse age is also a thing, young horses get tired quickly. But honestly a horse should be on the bit before it's even backed. It should be responsive on the long rein, in its halter, in general handling. It should want to take your hand lightly and follow its lead, not drag behind like an aged dog on a leash. As gently as a butterfly on a string as Sarah bellow said. If it's tired and underfed you are never going to achieve that because the butterfly wont have the energy to even flap its wings.
such a lovely horse ❤
Thank you! I’ve literally been struggling with this problem. This came at the perfect time! Is it just me or is it easier to frame a horse bareback? Seems like I can use my leg easier without a saddle…
But anyways, I subbed! Thank you.
I find the same and figured it was because without a saddle we plug our seat in better (without being heavy just connected). I wonder if sometimes we focus so much on looking good in dressage position we forget that and tense - I think I did anyway, fixed it now! Great video and so clear.
I ride English but I use western training for my horses always. I really think that the training style is easier on the horse. I have a fat little cob who is basically a farm hack who does everything on the buckle. I alway laugh when someone gets on him and is surprised by how soft he is when they pick him up and ask him to come round 😂. Well of course he’s soft he’s never been taught to ride through the hand like so many dressage trainers seem to use 😅
I think a lot of people don't understand how to get a horse round. Because just picking up the reins doesn't necessarily do it.
But how do you get them round !
is this Amelia Newcomb’s brother or husband? I love the way both of them ride and teach!!
Hi. I’m her brother. Thank you
@@JosephNewcomb dressage runs in the family!!!
👍
I can't get my horse on the bit because I can't make him round ! What to do in that case ?
Exactly! No one explains!
Dear Joseph, in another video you work the horse completly different in order to establish contact. Taking the contact, then adding energy. Here you do it the other way round - first riding forward on a loose rein, then taking the contact. At least it seems so to me. Could you explain it a little bit further - when to apply which riding. This would be very helpful. Thanks, Chris
The video I am talking about is this one: th-cam.com/video/z9pW5l3ppPs/w-d-xo.html
Good point!
@@JosephNewcomb Good point - and? Still waiting for a short explanation ;-)
But getting round does it mean engaging top line or just accepting the bit/being on the bit?
At 3:00 you say make him round. What exactly did you do?
I would sell this horse to a home that only wants to use him low key maybe 3 to 4x a week but not serious competitions he has a crooked right front and wobbly right hind which can lead to hock issues later on.
You must be one of those horrible western riders that have their horses so low that they’re almost touching the ground. That’s not riding and he doesn’t have those issues you pretend to know about, Mr TitanBuck.
Hi i am a novice rider.
Can u explain why alot of horses look down when they are round? is there a way to make them round but looking forward? I love to see horses looking up and proud instead of downwards :)
That's yo do with training stage. Novice horse looks down when he is round, then you push them up from behind. It takes strength built over time for them to be round with head up as hocks must come further under. Collection is advanced.
@@kellydelima9210 Oh, i see. Thanks for letting me know!! its going to take me some time for me to get there but i am so excited!:)
Round in the neck is not correct riding. Riding from back to front, thru half halts, and transitions will "get them round " and thru the back.
True hate watching western riding where they have their heads almost on the ground. And unbelievably cruel bits. So cruel.
Do you have a video? I'm working on this.
Oh yes you do have a video. That's below level 1. How can you give advice?
@JavierBonillaC because THAT horse was being trained at intro level. She's now at level 2 and properly trained. That video was in 2020, 4 years ago. Nice try. Just because someone doesn't ride grand prix, doesn't mean they aren't educated on classical training. You have zero knowledge of my experience.
@JavierBonillaC while you're judging my young horse, concentrate on your hideous sitting trot. Your horse is a saint to put up with that jarring motion.
Stop the clicking...use vocal encouragement by all means, horses learn words very quickly. Who the heck knows what click click means?
My horse knows exactly what one click, two clicks and a kiss mean as well as words.. 💗💗💗
What about a horse who is behind the bit?
where did you get your mirrors?