Keep that contact
QWhat are the key errors riders make when trying to achieve and maintain a consistent contact? What can I do to avoid them and help ‘de-hollow’ my tense Thoroughbred?
Karin says... The main errors seen in riders trying to maintain a contact are holding the hands too low and pulling the horse’s head in. The rider’s hands should be above the level of the horse’s mouth, so that the bit stays up into the fleshy corners of the mouth, rather than being pulled down onto the bars. This means that if the horse’s head comes up as he hollows, then the hands should come up too.
Straight, stable, give
You’re aiming for a straight line from your horse’s mouth through the reins and hands to the elbow — when viewed both from the side and from above — although you may need to widen your hands to keep the contact consistent. It’s your horse’s job to take the contact from you; not you from him. This means that you must have a stable position in the saddle and be able to ‘give’ with your hands. In walk, your hands should follow the head nod of your horse.
Perpetuating the problem
The main error is that the rider is usually too focused on the horse’s head and neck position, rather than the shape of his back. His head will lower and reach into a contact as his back comes up. So ensure your bodyweight is supported from your thighs, rather than being ‘bum heavy’, so that your seat is light enough for your horse to lift. Taking a contact requires him to have trust in your hand too; he needs to be sure that he won’t get yanked in the mouth, which takes time, patience and a secure seat from you.
There can be a moment in the transition from your horse being hollow and head high to flat/round with his head and neck reaching lower where you need to give with the reins. Your horse must also build strength through his back muscles to maintain this position.