HOW TO GET A HORSE ON THE BIT

READ BEFORE COMMENTING :)
›› As I was saying in the video, I'm a show jumper, not a dressage rider, so this how I've been taught by showjumping trainers and it's also what I find works really well for me. This video focuses on how to get a horse soft on the bit which is just one aspect of working a horse correctly. Just because a horse's head is in the right position, doesn't mean your work is done there ;) No criticism please, and remember that Khal is only recently broken and is still a weak 3yr old so will not be working perfectly, although hopefully you can see an improvement even from the start to the end of this video!
›› Lunging Video: • HOW I LUNGE MY HORSES ...
›› Social Media:
Instagram: @hollylenahan / hollylenahan
Ask.fm: ask.fm/HollyLenahan
Facebook: / hollylenahansj
Mackey Ireland:
/ mackeyireland
/ mackeyequestrianireland
›› Camera Info:
Nikon d5500
iPhone 6s
Final Cut Pro X

[@conniemcnally6148]

This has helped me so much, my 12yr old section d is finally working like a dream! Thankyou!!

[@alexladwig7331]

Love this video! I'm so sick of people sawing on their horses mouth to get their head down (and as a result usually behind the vertical). Khal is looking great!

[@Turbocob]

Tried this today and it worked perfectly and she stayed on the bit so much more consistently than ever before! X

[@rachelsharkey1169]

I am Rachel from South Africa and I have been trying so hard with my four year old to get him on the bit and after your video WOW he did it. So a HUGE thank you. He got it now he is a champion 🥰

[@alexandraduffin6875]

I always used to make the mistake of once my horse was on the bit i would not stop asking him to do it. Pressure and then realising saved me

[@savannahkennedy9895]

Interesting video! You're on the right track. You seem to have a good natural feel for the horse. Who ever taught you did a pretty good job!

[@sv9633]

Thank you so much for this video! It helped me so much!! Everybody said something different to get your horse on the bit and because of your video i understand it now, i tried it and it worked 🤗 my horse is so light and soft, i totally get it now, thanks😉 also nice that you are also a showjump rider, dressage explanation videos about getting them on the bit didn't explaint it as yourse

[@caroline26789]

S V Same for me! I have heard so many ways (but also so much bad ways with a lot of pulling) and kinda got lost but this video is just so clear and I think I finally understand this haha 😂

[@flatjunk6898]

Aw Khal! What a good man. I could see the progression and could definitely see you soften with your inside hand. ♡ Khal seems v smart!

[@seriakanka1652]

Your horses are stunning

[@redmare1746]

Great job with your 3 year old! Exactly where I'm at with mine, who just turned 3 as well.

[@Montanaoequestrian]

I love this video. I needed it in my life. Thank you Holl 😘

[@luizafonseca_]

I just love the way you think and the methods you use with your horses, I would totally work that way if I had a horse! Khal is such a cute thing hahahah for me it looks like he already got a lot of muscles, in a few months he'll be almost like Welbeck haha I love you and your horses ❤️

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Luiza Fonseca ah thank you so much! ❤️

[@emily.thatsit7281]

I had a hunter under saddle trainer (no shade towards y’all who ride this way. I know not all of y’all are like this) that always told me to constantly be sawing on the horses mouth to make sure he kept his head low. The horse always kept his head so overbent and never responded to rein aids. Only leg aids (which did help me develop better leg aids, but I wish that wasn’t;t how i learned) my favorite trainer who I am sadly no longer with, taught be that in order for the horses to be on the bit, they need to be moving with impulsion, be balance and need to be keen on your leg, hand, and seat aids. Then you encourage the horse to seek contact with your hand because they want to seek you aids. It’s kind of hard to explain, but nonetheless, i really liked this video. Keep it up!

[@xkeepflying]

My 4yo stallion is also kinda lazy and he trips a lot bc he's not really balanced yet lmao I really like the methods you use to get your horse on the bit, I think I'll try it with him xD

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

xKeepFlying working him nice and long and low (like in the lunging video) will really help his balance by developing all the muscles he needs! Best of luck ☺️

[@lilscarle6236]

My youngster is unbalanced like that too

[@MissJennyWendy]

Great video! Really helpful with your explanations which are on point!

[@dharmabunni9471]

love your way with horses, great video!

[@MoonstarAR]

You sound professional! This helped me a lot. Thank-you!

[@susanford6926]

Thanks for the video, I always wondered about on the bit and this was a great example!!🐴

[@rebecca11391]

Great video, exactly how I approach this stuff too! Only thing I do slightly differently with young horses is I work almost as much on the counter bending as I do on the leg yield. That quick response to the outside leg aids is really helpful for wiggly young horses lol. Great video !

[@faithlesspotato4400]

Hey holly ever since I found ur Chanel I’ve been progressing a lot I also do show jumping but my horse is a bit to big and a bit to strong for my size but when I saw u going to horse show jumping it inspired me a lot not to give up u r very talented the way I see it and ur so gentle with ur horses can’t wait to se the new vids u r going to upload best luck in the show jumping love u❤️🐎

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+Lolita Ghost Awh thank you so much!! And best of luck with your own horse, sounds like you’re working really hard, well done ☺️

[@faithlesspotato4400]

Thank u very much!!❤️

[@tristanandroid1036]

Gorgeous 🥰 your head turning Quirk got me going crazy Hun 💕

[@krissieequestrian1563]

Can u make a video on methods on slowing down hot jumpers? Also this video is super helpful thank u xx

[@life_as_cesca_young8658]

Your horse is beautiful and the colour is stunning 🐴

[@bamboomaiphaithai2809]

Wow your video is amazing now i know how to get my horse on the bit!! Thanks a bunch!

[@TheMoodyRose]

that was very informative, thank you!

[@emerwatchorncoach3628]

Thank you. Can you tell me do i need to have my rein short when doing this with my horse?

[@miapetersen55]

Hi! I've seen some of your videos (and subscribed) and i just want to say that you're amazing! I don't like jumping (because i get scared and nervous) and seeing someone jump like you is nice and make me want to work on jumping, even if it's just small baby jumps. But you should remember to work on the horses head not going behind the vertical. I have seen in some videos on different horses and they go behind the vertical. I don't know if you know that, but just remember to make sure your horses do it as little as possible and it don't become normal.

[@itzmekyleigh4300]

Thank you so much for this video!!! I reallllly needed it!!! You did amazing!!! Also, are you from Ireland?

[@PoPo-xo6hu]

Itz me Kyleigh she is

[@lucylottie8222]

2nd. Love ur vids!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@izzybeckel3496]

Would these same techniques apply with a bitless bridle? My horse can’t carry a bit due to medical reasons, sadly.

[@ebonypegasus9864]

"If you don't agree, that's grand" I am going to keep that in mind for the rest of my life! and use it often when people disagree with me. :D thanks for the riding video. I have a "non forward" mare.

[@lauren-bq7nb]

How do you keep the reign on without like pulling too much?

[@AkkaVoskuil]

I love Khal's trot!!

[@hopebreckon6704]

Hi, I don’t know how old this video is but I have got my horse going forward and her bending but she isn’t lost her head. Am I doing something wrong? Great video

[@izzyreed1334]

Khal is so cute you do a great job with him

[@sleepyqitten26]

a crop can be used for noise which can make them go forwards a bit, but also a tap will still send them off whether its on the bum or not. we dont sit on the butt of a horse and kick them, we kick their sides, so then regular riding with your leg would make as much sense as a crop to the shoulder for you. nice vid though

[@asia6223]

Khal looks amazing!

[@Madsta560]

I think you should've mentioned how useful transitions are in helping balance and get a horse on the bit! especially with a more forward horse I find it keeps them focused and really helps on straightness! Khal is coming on really nicely, he's grown up so much!:)

[@btcs1]

Bear up with you

[@gracehorses5125]

If u haven't already can u do a video on how to introduce a horse to riding with a bit, love your videos!😄

[@kbequestrian128]

Love this video, you're such a kind rider Holly! Although I feel this video is focused more on 'accepting the bit' rather than 'on the bit' as there's a huge difference and people often think that if their horse is accepting the bit they're working on the bit, when they're actually not haha! 😅

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+KB Equestrian thank you, i totally agree I did say that in the description! It would be impossible to fit every aspect of riding a horse on the bit into one video so I felt this was at least a step in the right direction ☺️

[@kbequestrian128]

Holly Lenahan totally! Can't wait for whatever you upload next 😊

[@melaniekinninmont8758]

KB Equestrian ,

[@sunshinebuchanan2772]

My hunter never moves off my leg properly mainly because he was never taught and I’ve been doing this for the past few days and there’s already progress!!!!

[@gemma.dressage]

My pony is either a pest to get in it or really easy (which is rare) but when she gets in it she will stay in it until i either ask her not to or end the ride, its helpful

[@tashalouise97]

Hey Holly, I ride riding school horses who aren’t used to being on the bit, and when I try get them on it I end up with achy hands/the horse throws her head up. Am I being too strong and hurting them? That’s my main worry... I think my problem is that I don’t have enough power from the hind

[@lindastakvik2968]

I would recommend the videos from YourRidingSuccess, she has a lot of good videos about getting the horse on the bit. A lot of riding school horses tend to be a bit a stiff, because they get a lot of different signals from a lot of different riders. But your hands should not be achy after a ride. The best thing would be to get some lessons from a good dressage trainer :)

[@HairyLittleCob98]

remember that these riding school horses will find it extremely difficult, and even if you do get them on the bit they wont be able to hold it for more than a few strides as they're unused to it! just be sympathetic, focus on getting them moving forward from behind. it shouldn't come from your hands, you should be riding them up into your hands. focus on asking them to bend and go forwards, and eventually they might start to think about it on their own! (coming from someone who's ridden riding school horses all my life - they're a different kettle of fish entirely to someone trying to work their own horse on the bit!)

[@tashalouise97]

@Linda Stakvik Yeah I’m subscribed to them, thanks! I would love to book lessons with a dressage instructor, but don’t you have to have your own horse for that? @catequestrian thanks so much! I have noticed that when I get her on the bit her only holds it for a couple strides before returning back to a really long stretched out neck

[@MosaikHorse]

When in doubt, Your Riding Success

[@sofia01ht]

Drachen Einhorn yeah! When in doubt always your riding success! She's AMAZING

[@2ponnies]

love your vids!! do you ever ride ouside the arena or go on hacks? :p

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+calimerio yup i usually go for a hack once a week, I wish I could ride in the fields but we don't have any suitable for riding in :(

[@2ponnies]

okay!! i understand , we don't have much here either :(

[@suzannebell2540]

What bit are you using?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

A French link full cheek snaffle in this video :)

[@liespootemans2502]

Hey Holly! What kind of bit are you using and why? Why aren't you using a normal bit for him? Just kind of wondering as I don't nothing about this kind of stuff haha. Loved the video btw! :D

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+Liz it's a French link snaffle with cheek pieces :) the cheek pieces are good for young horses because they help make the turning aid clearer ☺️

[@oliviaharrington6492]

She is using a full cheek snaffle bit. It's actually a pretty common bit because it's one of the softer ones but it looks weird because if the bars in either side which are to prevent the bit from sliding through the horses mouth like some bits can such as a loose ring. But that's nothing towards people who do use loose rings snaffles they are really good bits

[@Alise0302]

What does it mean to work on an outline?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Alise Alves if you google it, you'll get a good answer with pictures, it's hard to explain in words haha

[@Alise0302]

Holly Lenahan haha okay! Thanks!

[@jlnequine9622]

Do you know where you got your whip from?

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+jlnequine no sorry, but you can find them in most tack shops :)

[@jlnequine9622]

thank you :)

[@lorimitchell9025]

Do you ever ride bitless

[@isabelleshepard4576]

I see this way too often! Wear bit keepers! When you use a full cheek snaffle it's to get lateral control, but without bit keepers, it's much less effective. Many shows don't even allow you to use that bit without keepers, because there have been cases of horses accidently jabbing people in the face, making it unsafe.

[@shakirareardon2926]

My horse is very forward going and green and loves to hold his head high, everytime I try leg yielding he goes forward assuming I'm applying pressure for him to go faster and not only this the more contact I put on the bit the higher he throws his head, he always holds his head Hugh and I can't find the solution. I've tried a martingale but it hasn't helped

[@Aelinwildfire]

Who is you oldest horse

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+Meadowbrook Farm Fiona and Welbeck are the oldest, they're both 9 :)

[@Aelinwildfire]

What breed is Khal

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+Meadowbrook Farm ISH x KWPN ☺️

[@Aelinwildfire]

Holly Lenahan heh

[@lorrygeewhizzbang9521]

Meadowbrook Farm irish sport horse x Dutch warmblood

[@user-gi9sg3km2h]

Hi, would all you said in the video apply for riding bitless as I've resonantly changed my horse into a hackamore and I was wondering if it would be the same concept xx

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Emily Heppel I have never ridden or been trained to ride in a bitless bridle so I honestly couldn't tell you. I feel like it wouldn't be the same though and you'd need to use a bit of a different approach. Better off asking a trainer who has experience with hackamores as they can be very severe in the wrong hands (just like any bit can 😉)

[@everythingshiny]

Hackamores don't have quite the same action especially when it comes to turning, so while the basic principles are the same, softening the inside hand, riding on the outside aids, a horse worked in a hackamore or bitless bridle needs to work really well off the leg, particularly laterally (sideways) like the leg-yielding shown at the start of this video. Depends too on the length of the hackamore shank and the position on the horse's face, as Holly said hackamores can be quite severe so it's important to make sure your horse isn't overbent because of an excessively strong hackamore causing a false head carriage (video is your best friend here). I've ridden in a hackamore and halter and bitless bridles over the years, not all the time but from time to time and if the horse is responsive off the leg aids and working across their back then they should come 'on the bit' / into an outline whether they have a bit or not. Good luck :)

[@user-gi9sg3km2h]

Thank you for being so helpful it's highly appreciated! And my horse Woody is getting on really well since I've changed him into a hackamore and is much more responsive and keen to work 😊😊

[@seriakanka1652]

His name is from game of thrones😂😍

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

+Seria Kanka it sure is haha 🙈

[@racheldistefano5961]

Your reins are too short

[@oliviaharrington6492]

Your a really great rider and all but in the beginning you said that horses don't understand a tap on the shoulder. I completely disagree. All of the horses I've ridden have. And I'm sure most horses do. I am currently riding a six year old horse who hasn't done much in her life and she's pretty lazy so I use a crop on her shoulder and she completely understands it. So I don't know how you were using the crop or how your horse was trained but it is really offensive to those who do use crops.

[@HollyLenahanSJ]

Olivia Harrington I don’t know why you’re offended that I said that. And I said that I believe that a tap behind the saddle makes more sense to a young horse that on the shoulder. I’m talking about young horses, of course the majority of older horses know that a tap on the shoulder means go forward, it’s a really common way to use the whip.

[@Charlotte-mt9ct]

Olivia Harrington . I don’t actually understand how she is being offensive. It completely makes sense. Most younger horses probably won’t understand a tap on the shoulder so if you tap behind with the crop/whip they probably will think you want them to go forward because it’s like you are pushing them forward .

[@oliviaharrington6492]

So is a tap on the shoulder. I don't mean to be rude, and i guess I shouldnt have really used the word offended.

[@oliviaharrington6492]

look im sorry i offended you guys, that's my opinion, im sorry if you don't like it but its what I think, I should've worded it better.

[@divina2265]

So many times behind the vertical line......

[@hbond846]

divina 22 he’s THREE. Young horses do this when they are learning

[@gerardemoway5159]

You shouldn't use bits to be honest

[@krissieequestrian1563]

Bits r personal preference some horses work well with them like I ride one of mine not less because she responds the same and likes it my other horse and irks much better with it. It is all about the horse

[@elliexoxo747]

It depends how you use them

[@oof1015]

EVERYONE DONT USE BITS!!! THEY HURT ALL HORSES MOUTHS AND CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE. GO BITLESS!!!

[@Charlotte-mt9ct]

Hunter X it kinda depends how harsh the bit is and how they are used .

[@phoebss6067]

if by going bitless you mean hackamores? they can be just as bad in the wrong hands try pressing down hard on the bridge of your nose, it hurts right? well the horses have far more sensitive tissue there, any bit or hackamore is cruel in the wrong hands.

[@oof1015]

Phoebss Yes Ik but I’m talking about how it’s better to just ride in a halter or bitless bridle

[@elliexoxo747]

If you are using the bit in an abusive way, then do but it depends how you use them. My horses are on snaffles and I use a bit correctly

[@borderlinewack]

No they don't, stop listening to raleigh and Rick Gore, there uneducated and have no science to back up their opinions