pulling on bit

[Chelle Sherman <cms@fluent.com>]

Hi - this is mostly in response to Sue. I don't know if this is true for
all race-trained horses, but my horse only leans on the bit at the
canter/gallop. She was not taught to do it at all gaits. I have had no
trouble teaching her basic dressage, and actually had to work to get her
to round down to the bit at the walk and trot. At the canter, she rounds
naturally, but also leans a bit. It's not a big deal. I'd rather have
her in that position than head up and out of control. I find that by
using half-halts, I can control her quite well at the gallop - a steady
pull would definitely not work. The only time where this tendency to
lean is a real problem is if I try to canter her in a small dressage
ring - then she has trouble negotiating the tight corners because she's
too far on the forehand. This is a retraining issue that will be fixed
easily with time. This horse, though, has a very compliant personality
and was only raced a few times. I suspect this is a different matter
with a hardened racehorse. I think you misunderstood the retraining
process for a racehorse - you could do dressage at the walk and trot ad
infinitum, and it wouldn't help your pulling problem - it is gait
specific.

Chelle


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