Hi! Im new to the community so im mot sure how this works so sorry if i platform this wrong. I recently (last week) bought a 4yo thoroughbred who has a really good calm temperament. He has had around 3 months of dressage training and constant work from there. Where I am struggling with him is that he does not want to stretch his head down even when I give him plenty of reign. I have a really soft hand and im not harsh on the bit so there shouldn’t really be a reason he would be uncomfortable with my contact. He isnt a tense horse but he needs about 10 minutes to warm up at the trot before he can listen. My question is: Does anyone have any ideas or exercises for how I could help him stretch down during the trot and canter?His past owner was much lighter than me and was able to get him to go into a “frame” (not a genuine frame, it was mainly what he remembered because she only lunged him in side reigns) Im not sure if me being heavier makes him put his head up? I like to believe i fit him and there really shouldnt be any issues. Also if anyone has any recommendations for jump saddles that fit narrow horses with short backs please tell me those too!!! First photo is of when its at its worst second photo is how he usually holds his head and 3rd photo is how i would like him to hold his head most of the time.

Saddle Pad Jump Christmas

Jump Eventing Horse

Liked by 2 members

Evelyn

Equestrian Inspirer

@BerengereA I highly doubt i will be able to fit into a childrens saddle. But that actually is very helpful since i think our current problem really routes in his saddle fit. I havent ridden seriously because I dont want to set him back in his training due to the saddle fit so we’ve just been doing ground work. Ill do some research on those saddles though thank you!

01/16/24-12:54

BerengereA

PS Squad

how is your horse doing ? On the top of all these very good advices below , regarding the saddle , I have started to ride my horse with a Childeric CFAP for training him in jumping, trail and dressage, as it provides to the rider a very close contact with the horse and allows to combine different Equestrian activities with one saddle. Later on I combined with a specific dressage Childeric DNL in order to improve myself in dressage activity . I used these Childeric saddles for 10 years now, absolute confort and long lasting quality. Hope it will help you a bit

01/13/24-20:58

Keep exploring the community!