Getting him off his forehand!

[BlackJackBreeze]

I recently rode a 7 year old quarter horse gelding, and he's pretty green. He has trouble balancing and bending, and collecting himself enough to slow down. We did quite a lot of cantering (he's a lesson horse) and he has a very fast, bouncy canter, tends to lean on your hands, and is way "on the forehand". His head is way down, his butt's way up, and I know that's the wrong way for a horse to carry himself. Is there anything I can do for him to help him carry himself correctly, or help him balance and get off the forehand? He's a very sweet little boy and wants to please.

P.S. His movement doesn't scare me, but it IS quite uncomfortable!

[lneill84]

Start everything from the walk, then trot then canter. Think of green horses like buliding blocks. You need to start with the lowest level and work up. Simple extentions and collections at the walk will start to bring his head up and collected. Don't forget about his hind end and "push" him up to your hands. Once he gets it, try at the trot, then canter. A lot of young horses just really don't get it and it takes a lot of patience. Once he does it, reward him by asking him to do something he knows really well. When you're done, allow him to stretch his head out. Another tip, and this works with a calm, responsive horse, is let the reins out all the way. Push him up to the bit, and they will usually start to carry themselves in a more relaxed manner. It will also engage his hind end. Everything has to come from his butt lol. Don't do this if he's overly sensitive (i.e will run away with you).

[Fluffyrice]

alot of inside leg and outside rein to support him but don't counter bend him

[rubysoho]

well, to get him correctly off the forehand (and before you can think about collection) you need to work on the horse's rythm and relaxation. To do this you can use large circles, serpentines, half circle back to the track, some leg yielding (if you are not riding from your hands... since I cannot see pictures of your riding, I don't know) and lots and lots and lots of transitions, even within the gaits - but all coming from your seat. Do not worry so much what the front end looks like. You want him in front of the verticle, but obviously not travelling like a giraffe!

Once you have a nice rythm, forward but not rushing, and your horse is able to carry himself properly (not leaning on your hands) then he will naturally start accepting the contact if he is relaxed. In which case he should have his pole at the highest point (assuming you aren't riding western) and will naturally be on the verticle. if you are having to use your hands to get him on the verticle, you need to go back to the beginning and find out where the hole is.

By this point your horse should be travelling nicely, not on his forehand. You can start to work on impulsion (active movement, not faster).

Then straightness will come and finally collection can be asked.

no matter what style of riding you do, this as the basics will greatly improve all horses. Even western. ;) Good luck!