Comments on: A Hunter Frame

By: Sydney

Sydney — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:18:33 +0000

To make your horse go down into that long and low hunter frame you need to leg your horse on the upbeat of your post so that, that will make your horse move longer and open his/her stride. Then think about massaging your horse’s mouth with the reins, while you are still using your leg on the upbeat of your post. When you are massaging your horse’s mouth with the reins you want to lengthen your reins so your horse can have the bit. When your horse does drop his/her head reward him/her and give them more rein.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:52:59 +0000

I have raised and trained Morgans for over 25 years so I know the problem of trying to get a naturally high headed horse to relax and put his head down. As stated, he can’t get his head down if his back is UP. So, instead of thinking about getting his head down, think about how to get him to raise his back, bring himself up to meet your seat. Ride tall with a soft, following seat. Always use your back, seat and legs to half halt BEFORE you do anything with your hands. Leave his head alone, you are riding the back end, not the head! Work on the 20 meter (60 ft.) circle, this is the classroom for the horse. If he gets too speedy, make your circle smaller, as small as necessary. He can’t run off in a small circle. Talke to him to reassure and help him relax. As soon as he slows, gradually make your circle a little bigger by spiralling outword. Again, do this with your inside leg on the girth, outside leg slightly back, turn from the waist, sit tall and look where you are going. Your hands are for gentle guidance only. Have contact on the outside rein and use the inside rein only when you need it to refine the bend. The horse should work “from the inside leg onto the outside rein.” The half halt is done by bracing your back, stop your seat, shoulders back and then close your hand on the outside rein. Alternate with the inside rein if necessary and release as soon as you “feel” the half halt go through your horse. Sometimes you have to half halt almost every stride but you MUST remember to release it every time too. Never get caught in a fixed hand. Keep the horse on the circle with the inside leg and outside rein, use the inside rein to ask for more bend when you need it, then DROP IT. Commpletely drop it. It takes time but done properly you will have a horse who willing puts his head down to seek contact with the bit and goes forward on the outside rein. Remember he must bring his back up, into your seat, to do this so make it very inviting for him to bring his back up by riding softly and following his motion with your seat. Sit tall.Don’t lean into the turns and keep your inside leg at the girth. Remember: This is a pleasure horse so make sure both you and the horse are having fun. When the fun stops it’s time to put the horse away. Put him away on a good note, doing something he enjoys and try again tomorrow.

By: noneofyourbuisness

noneofyourbuisness — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:01:22 +0000

In addition riding with a training fork, or, if you are more experienced, draw reins can help tremedously! Great article!

By: horsez4ever

horsez4ever — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:35:42 +0000

great advice.. this will help me on my horse!!!

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:59:13 +0000

Nice artical. Thanks for the advice.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:53:41 +0000

Ive been trying to work on this a lot with my horse, but as soon as i fully give her her head she takes off and won’t stop. Any advice. P.S. i know this is a rider problem. Is there anything i can do to fix this?

By: meranda

meranda — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:54:06 +0000

great advice.

By: Meranda

Meranda — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:49:54 +0000

great advice!

By: Kenzie

Kenzie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:22:33 +0000

I’ve had a lot of trouble with my horse’s frame in the past, and this method works really well to elogate his movement–great article

By: lanie

lanie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:28:00 +0000

this one was really helpful ive been having trouble with my horse’s headset too.