How to Prevent your Horse from Curling Behind the Bit

[@hallerentz4588]

Wow right at 3:50 when you yield him you can actually see the forehand come up and his front legs move more freely. Excellent demonstration and very helpful information. Thank you!

[@JavierBonillaC]

Very true. Wow.

[@bethfornaro9383]

HAHA! That exact moment made me sit up straighter! Magic moment. Lovely horse.

[@bethfornaro9383]

Watching this has given me hope. I'm so pleased I landed on this video. Can only hope I can ride it half as well as you do. Thanks for this wonderful basic demo. That's such a lovely horse.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Glad you liked it. Come to our contact and connection webinar! amelianewcombdressage.com/contact-and-connection-free-webinar-2024/?KZbin&+DTR+2024

[@TheTeapotte]

I think he looks perfect, when you have him in what you call "above the bit"

[@cayley5861]

Great advice! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow :)

[@vvillanueva6728]

Thank you. I appreciate all your helpful videos.

[@minderellafox7906]

Great info Amelia! I had one that did this, was so frustrating!

[@schwimmermoe]

What a beautiful demonstration! Simple and well said! Thank u.

[@goldieschnitzer849]

Perfect demo. I have one that does this. Getting to the outside by keg yielding is perfect. I don’t understand; we have the same helmet, but I don’t look like that! Lolol

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Haha! Funny!

[@josilksmith]

Great tips that don't seem over complicated! Can't wait to give this a try tomorrow!

[@skywardsword9724]

Great video! Love the demo as well! I’d love to see a video on how you plan a ride with a young horse! What you work on first and how you start, thanks! ☺️

[@alicecohen4726]

Good video of a complex issue. Bit type fit and horses history from how it has experienced a riders hand and physical influences can also affect postural outcomes. In hand flexions such as shoulder in using only a halter first to check horses ability to move freely is another approach. Some love bitless to release or separate mouth issues from how the horse moves. So complex an issue one has to break up this with many solutions. Being happy in the mouth may also involve the dentist and a good body massage!

[@tiptopmuffin]

Great video, i started watching thinking this will be about x y z and was pleasantly suprised it wasnt :) great video.

[@infernafirestein]

Definitely going to try this! Very helpful. Thanks Amelia!

[@psequestrian1831]

Congratulations...great video!!

[@AmyLouiseYT]

Great video! I'm really trying to figure out how to get my horses hind legs more active without allowing her front end to speed up. Also, she tends to hold her back stiff. How can I get her to swing and be supple?

[@clambe2590]

I find to get that swing you need to work on the horse being supple, practice lateral movements. Then just lots of leg to get them in front of your leg, and half halts. Focus on your body if you slow your movements you’ll find the horse will also.

[@patriciabonad.c.3379]

Nice video. That posture/way of going can also be due to saddle fit and position. Also myofascial restrictions can cause the horse to put head into the path of least resistance, Dents and Dings in the front of the shoulders and neck.... brachiocephalicus muscle.. Teeth, feet and saddle fit are three primary issues to evaluate.

[@pagemccarthy6408]

Hello Amelia - How do you get them to favor the on the bit/correct position when you use the above the bit technique because they return to curling once you lower your hands? How do you train them to ultimately remain on the bit in the correct position? Thank you.

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Training and practice! This will help them develop strength in using their bodies correctly

[@teresawort9124]

Huge help thank you !

[@jacquedaw]

Great video thank you. I have a question Amelia, I also watched a video you put up the other day about the reins, which explained how you would get a horse to soften. It showed you first squeezing the fingers, then bending the wrist and finally if the horse doesn't respond, bringing the elbow back. I have a horse that is resistant to bending (x trotting horse), and I tried this with him on a circle, and continued to the point of bringing my elbow back and releasing when I got flexion at the poll, (even though he would be quite bent at the neck at this point. I still tried to maintain inside leg to outside rein but I needed to give with outside rein at this point.When he does flex he will bend really well, but usually he resists flexion and goes above the bit as soon as I ask for it. Everyone tells me to forget about the inside rein and use my seat for bend and I have been trying but it isn't really working as he resists bending, and surely I also need some flexion to get a bend?. I am hoping that through this method he will learn to just flex off of the squeezing of the fingers? I just want to check that my understanding is correct?

[@SarahK293]

Jacqueline Feeley My horse used to resist when I asked him to bend, and a lot of the time it was because he wasn’t moving off my inside leg properly. If that’s the case then turns on the forehand can help, since it’s an easy way to explain the response you want when you use your inside leg. With my horse I first try using my inside seat bone and inside leg, and if he doesn’t respond to that I use the method you mentioned using my fingers, then my wrist, then bringing the elbow back for a stride or two and slowly give the rein back and let his neck straighten a bit when he responds. Hope this helps!

[@jacquedaw]

Sarah Kennedy ... yes that is great, and you are correct! It is something I am working on 😊

[@sueprokop4720]

My knew TW is 5. The owner trainer has trained her to put her head to her chest thinking this would teach the horse to give to the bit. Now I got her try to ride her off she puts her head in her chest and will not move ! When you drop the reins on her neck she lifts her head. When I pick up the reins she flexes again! So frustrating please help and suggestions. Thank u

[@PercheronAppLVR]

very nice . thanks for the tips

[@juliocastro8282]

Great content

[@seasands9644]

That was good Amelia, thank you!!!

[@franmechura2773]

Any suggestions for Bits that also may help getting up and out and softening the poll? Thank you:)

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Great question! I prefer simple snaffle bits, but it's less about the type of bit and more about teaching them to properly react to the bit. Going back to groundwork and doing it from the ground is a great way to achieve that!

[@barbdawdy7698]

thanks so much great job

[@ruthkeeling-holt2031]

Very helpful !

[@chadspencer954]

Would this work with gaited dressage horses?

[@AmeliaNewcombDressage]

Yes!

[@heathergruber6118]

Can you please do a video on how to get you horse on the bit . Thanks

[@lauriebohanan2761]

How do the prevent your horse from curling behind the bit 😁