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What is the best way to get your horse on the bit or topline, while your doing dressage2007-11-24 21:19:14Answers:

This is a HUGE question and one better asked on this site.http://www.ultimatedressage.com/...

I really can not say, well if you pull the right rein back half an inch and the blah blah blah.

It is an art and a science and the people on the site above will really do a much better job of answer your questions. Many are grand prix riders. Expect a good debate though. Hope to see you over there.

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It is NOT a headset by any stretch of the imagination - becoming attuned to the aids,becoming straight,and lengthening the top lines,getting the horse to come through to the bridle and achieving straightness isnt done by placing ones right hand here & the left there.

Get ye a subscription to Dressage Today..Join a local chapter of the USDF - your friendly neighbourhood GMO can be filled with usefull clinics & you can gain access to proper instruction there.

Good luck & enjoy the journey!

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First to create a top line is a different topic than getting your horse on the bit, so lets focus on each item separately.

1. To create a strong top line for dressage you must do cavalletti exercises with your horse daily this means raised and ground cavalletti's and working the hind quarters.

2. To get your horse on the bit easily it begins on the ground, lunge your horse daily in side reins and over ground poles this will get the horse accustomed to carrying himself, When you are on the horses back you must communicate to your animal with soft hands and strong legs, you must push and drive the seat to engage the hind quarters to push off and allow the energy to move forward through the back exploding through the chest while gently holding him in a frame, the first main error people do because they do not understand dressage and the communication of horse and rider and you are taught to pull and yank on the mouth pull this rein , that rein and when you ride in harmony you should have ZERO pounds of pressure in your hands. Good Luck..

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Draw reins. They work miracles.

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In order to get your horse "on the bit" you have to get him completely collected and moving forward with strength from his hindquarters. i would suggest some excercises to strengthen his hindquarters...stopping, backing and asking for him to move off at a nice trot or even a canter really helps with this.

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Its mre of a thing you need to be shown to do and you also need lots of practise and be able to recongise and feel horses movements etc when in the saddle. It's best that you get an instructor and work towards it over a few lessons.

If you can't get an instructor or you are still having a lot of trouble you can cheat, use draw reins. But only do it as a last resort it's better if you learn how to do it properly =D