How to get your horse on the bit...
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What is on the bit?
The term “on the bit” refers to a position of the head and neck where the horse is submissive to the pressure of the bit. The horse should not be behind the bit nor should they be above the bit. A horse that is on the bit feels supple and elastic in the contact.
Why do we want out horses to go on the bit?
We ride our horses on the bit because it allows us to have control over our horses and to direct their body and also their mind. In Dressage training it is important to get the horse on the bit so that the horse lifts in the back and uses their top line. This makes it easier for the horse to carry the rider and more comfortable for the rider to sit on the horse.
Here are a few tips to get your horse on the bit:
1. Leg - before getting the horse on the bit, the horse must understand to move forward from the leg. It is very important that the horse reacts forward from a light leg aid and that when the rider takes contact on the bit the horse stays in front of the leg.
2. Correct hand/arm position - the rider must maintain a straight line from the elbow to the horses mouth. It is essential that the rider has a bend in the elbow and that the hands are not too high or too low. Incorrect hand and arm position causes tension in the arm that translates into tension in the horses’ neck
3. Pressure and release - in order to get the horse “on the bit” the horse must understand to give to the pressure on the bit. When the rider puts pressure on the bit, the horse should submit to the pressure by flexing at the poll and or bending to the side to give to the pressure of the bit. It is important to remember that when the horse gives to the pressure of the bit, the rider must momentarily release the pressure in order to reward the horse!
I hope this tips are helpful! Getting a horse to go on the bit can be a challenge but once you get it, the feeling is so nice!! - Krátké a kreslené filmy
No matter how many times I watch tips on how to get your horse on the bit, I always learn new things each time. Thanks for the video Amelia!
It’s so true! The learning never ends!
Amazingly, I had to remind myself about the leg portion just the other night. My horse had an injury several years ago that took a few months to come back from so I would say I have been guilty of babying him too much at times. So I got after him a bit and voila! Up came his back and that soft suspension in the trot. It was a reminder to me and him that there are basic expectations to be fulfilled. Love your video, by the way. 👍😊
Love it!! Do a follow up... once your horse is doing these things well... what are the next exercises!
Ok!!
I liked the close up of your hands and fingers to take and release pressure. I would like to see a similar demonstration with the double bridle, showing how to use the snaffle without the curb, and how to lengthen and shorten the reins independently.
Amelia, just love your blogs. Very professional and easy and clear to understand.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're finding them helpful!
I really struggle with this with my mare, she’s a bit lazy and sluggish and I am always fiddling with my hands to try and get her on the bit. Thank you, I will try to apply this on my next ride.
Glad it helped! Please consider subscribing to my channel, it really helps me out :)
great tip ! I will be working on this, first, see how well my horse moves off the leg than proceed. I enjoy all your video's, as well as Joseph's I almost feel at times I am right there with you! thank you !
Just saw this and excellent tips. My horse is bitless and training him to take the contact with seat and legs has been a learning experience
Do you struggle to get your horse on the bit? What has helped you and your horse the most with this?
I changed her bit to a tongue-relief Myler bit. Now, she's not so fearful of contact.
Yes!! I was!!
My mantra now as my horse and I have had a few years off engaged work: FIX IT FORWARD!!! Works like a charm every time lol.
I am going to start working on this tomorrow!! Are you going to continue this for the different gates? Thank you for your great videos! I have shared you with many people and they are enjoying and learning so much.
A massive thank you for your videos!!! And they are free to watch too!! I have just got back into dressage riding after a 21 year break away from horses and finding your videos super helpful as I have lost a lot of knowledge and muscle memory.
I’m now watching all of them to gain my knowledge back!!
Thank you heaps!!
A New Zealand fan 💚🐴💚
Great!! Glad they are helpful!!
36 year break for me. Love your stuff
Actually 36 yr break from dressage, not horses. Love trail, but dressage is an art form!
Same. 21 year break. I used to ride in Germany. I have lost so much and now having to learn everything in English. Also being older doesn’t help. 😅 But these videos are super!
Thank you!
it's always great ! love to see your video"s and hope to learn much with always watching !
Happy to hear that!
LOVE this!
Love the music thanks
Definitely distinguishing how to not pull and keep contact. Its a challenge
Thanks Amelia !
i struggle with my hands usually not enough contact i need soft elbows, il try this see how i get on :)
Thanks for the video, really good explanation. I always struggle with not having my elbows back enough and end of moving my hand instead.
When I go from trot to canter I seem to lose the bend, just wondered if you have any tips for keeping the head down?
I am a Show jumper but but for warming up or pole work and even the rare r
Dressage this video is very helpful and I always learn so much ❤
Glad it was helpful!
Really helpful
This was super helpful- do you just repeat these in Trot and canter?
Omg , trying this next tym I ride, TY
Could you do a video where you’re having a warm up or training session, where we see you from a distance like we normally do in your videos, but then have a close up video of your hands at the same time in one corner of the screen? I’m so unsure of my hands, and seeing how you use them helps me so much😃
Thats a good idea! I think I would have to set up a go pro to do this!!
Amelia Newcomb Dressage That would be amazing😃
Lovely video! So once your horse is on the bit and you want to maintain it - should you be continuing to just keep steady contact on the outside rein and half-half with the inside as needed? Should you be releasing more with your outside hand and letting them seek the contact out more?
Yes. In general keep steady contact on the outside rein and flex and give on the inside. If you give up the contact it should only be for a few strides at a time.
Awesomeness 😊
Thank you! Cheers!
Hello Amelia, could you pls elaborate on using the inside fingers squeezing and releasing the inside rein to teach the horse coming onto the bit’? Why is this effect be used on the inside rein only?
kennylui your inside rein is your softening rein, outside rein is for balancing and speed control. You want fleXion thru the poll, bend thru the body, which is why it’s usually your inside rein you soften with. And you want to be able to have the outside rein as your steady contact.
my horse is pretty good at getting on the bit. but when she is, she gets super tense and it seems like the quality of her gait worsens (shortens). Tips for relaxation?
Try stretching the neck down and bring her back up, stretch down, back up, etc
Your horse feels trapped! The next time she is on the bit and soft, quickly drop the reins and rub her on her neck. She will most likely reach down, lick and chew and blow out. After she relaxes a little while, repeat the above. When she is confident, then try it at the walk and trot. 💃💞🐎
Relaxation.... riding without a bit
Can you please explain if you need to squeeze only the inside rein or you need to squeeze both but still keep the outside rain steady ?
Great question! Your outside rein will remain steady unless you are half-halting and your inside rein can be used to supple your horse, but make sure to release once your horse is supple!
At the halt, walk and trot my horse is supple and on the bit, but not steady in the canter. I ask for him to step into the contact with inside leg to outside rein and he often does a flying change(or changes the front legs only). Any suggestions or exercises to help specifically for getting your horse to accept/steady the contact in the canter (future topic)?
Thanks!
Hi Karen! It sounds to me like he is behind the leg in the canter. Sometimes the switch leads as an examining to going forward. If he swaps make him go really forward on whichever lead he is on. This will help with steady contact.
It would be great if you sent in a video to get some help and we could all learn from it. 👍
A horse that i sometimes ride one automatically does that- and thats Just so cute like
Check out our new Challenge "30 Days to Round" Challenge. www.amelianewcombdressage.com/30-days-to-round/
What if your horse doesn't want to ride on bit? What if you do all of them but it never works? "My" horse never walks on bit with me :/
Love you! 🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️
I have a problem because my arms are so short I feel like I have to extend my hands to have my reins the right length and I end up holding my elbows in a weird stiff position.
You should also send in a video with this issue. The struggle you are having may be a symptom of something else going wrong in a different area in your body, like your seat. That would be a Great video.
maybe its the size of your horse your shoulder should be level with the withers
How long on average does it take for a horse to get used to being on the bit?
That depends a little! It's very much a strength thing. Horses can learn to accept steady contact pretty quickly, but at the beginning only a small amount of time the horse will be able to be on the bit before they need a break. Then you can build duration and strength after that.
late to the party but I have a question.. Once you get him on the bit, what is the next step to keep him on? I find I have trouble where he keeps coming off as soon as I release the tension.
Hi! You just have to keep him on the contact for a bit longer and longer. From a few seconds to few minutes, it needs time and many trainings.
Can you do a video on Western Dressage
Wait is that a thing ??
Yes. You can go to Western Dressage association America and you can learn more
Hi. I used to 1/2 halt with inside rein. Why tho have my last two trainers been telling me when on a circle to half halt with the outside rein (when outside front leg is back) and while having bend to get him on the bit. And while going straight to squeeze release with both reins? I’m so confused. Everyone says something different. I hope you can help clarify this for me.
When and why do you 1/2 halt with inside rein and which rein (or both) do you do down long side to keep on the bit.
I also thought the 1/2 halt with outside rein was to indicate to him I’m about to ask for something. So frustrated 😕🤦🏼♀️
Another trainer told me down the long side ; while having flexion, 1/2 halt w outside rein. Can you pleaseeee tell me if any of my info is correct? 🙏🏼 🙏🏼
Great question. Yes, half-halting with the outside rein is correct. Half-halting with the outside rein is used to rebalance our horses and also to get their attention. The inside rein is used to supple your horse and help get them to flex and bend. So sometimes you will need to half-halt the outside rein, then very quickly supple, supple on the inside rein to help your horse stay soft in the contact. Here are a couple video that will help you:
How to Half-Halt: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/how-to-ride-a-half-halt/
Using your Reins: amelianewcombdressage.com/dressage-training/do-you-really-know-how-to-use-your-reins/
Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes!
Thank you very much
I hate on the term on the bit so many people get it so wrong!!!
Amelia do you ever use “gadgets” to help with this problem?
Not usually.
@@AmeliaNewcombDressage ok thanks I have a friesian ((10 years old ) so my trainer likes for me to use a chambon or a martingale or side reins and the Pessoa system
To lunge and I noticed I’ve never seen you use any of this in your trainings or videos. What are your thoughts on this ? Thanks
Hi i’m early i want a hi back please
Hi!!
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Seems to me your horse is behind the bit not on the bit.
OMG this is not true at all......You should learn to ride a horse without a bit. This lady is crazy. By all means you can ride a horse without a bit and should.
if it was true the horse would be showing signs of pain. riding without a bit can be worse because it adds pressure to their nose where there is a thin layer of bone and lots of nerves. shes not crazy and knows what she is talking about. let her do what she wants with her horse. bitless can be benifital at times and can be bad at time just like riding in a bit. bits dont cause pain the riders hands do.
sorry I didnt finish- although I agree a good rider should be able to ride a horse in a bit and without its always the horse whos opinions matters most. If a horse does not like riding bitless then you should not project the idea that the horse likes it better because bits cause pain, and its the same vice versa.
here are my sources incase you want any : annablake.com/2017/06/23/bit-or-bitless-you-wont-like-the-answer/
blog.dressagenaturally.net/69-to-bit-or-not-to-bit
@@graceconnolly5765 omg smh, I can't believe the nonsense stuff you're writing me. We are a horse rescue here. We have just about every horse you can think of including draft horses they all came to us bucking rearing just about everything you could think of which all had been ridden with bits. Overtime they have all now been trained to ride bitless and neck reining. You can even put little ones on their back now. So please stop believing social media take off your blinders take some time with your horse learn how to ride a kinder way, your horse will love you for it!!
@@tami2170 did you read anything I wrote. I have ridden bitless so before you jump to conclusions lets get that our of the way. all horses are different. some like bitless and some dont. just like how some like bits and some dont. I HIGHLY doubt that you have a rescue that has every horse and all of their problems were cause of a bit. you cant blame a horses problem on one piece of equipment. however I could be wrong and honestly I hope I am because I love rescue programs and if thats the case could you tell me the name of the rescue? anyways the point I am trying to make is people should not project their emotions onto their horses and say all horses like bitless or all horses like riding with a bit. its like saying all horses like cross country or all horses like reining. I have no social media besides youtube and dont belive most of the stuff I see. I based my opinion off my own research, shadowing vets, and over 15 years of work with horses.
@@graceconnolly5765 re-read what I wrote, I said we have a horse rescue here every horse came to us who were ridden in a bit. Overtime we have trained them to ride bitless. So yes horses can ride safely riding bitless and even in a halter.
Thank you!