Dressage Head Carriage??? Horse in Training?
I have a 3/4 friesian in training right now. What would you suggest would be the best way to train him to collect himself and bring his head in? Side reins, martingale?? When should I introduce him to this? Now or wait until he is more conformable being ridden? These pictures as examples. >
http://www.friesianheritage.com/images/Stallions/L%20Dark%20Laes%20Dressage%20Trot%202%20500pxlw.jpg
http://www.friesianheritage.com/images/Stallions/Zorro.jpg
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Mel’s answer is pretty much spot on.
You don’t want to teach your horse the cheater way of carrying themselves with side reins or martingales. Occasionally draw reins are used for an exceptionally strong horse, but most of these aids contradict the basic principles of dressage (I assume you’ll train the Fresian for dressage?).
The word "dressage" comes from a french term meaning "to train." It is an intense connection between horse and rider, and these artificial aids are not beneficial.
I would suggest you enlist the help of an experienced trainer. The horses in those pictures are schooling much higher levels than a horse in training who has not learned to carry himself yet.
To ask your horse to be that collected would be almost impossible without years of training.
The one "aid" that I might suggest is long lining. It’s like ground driving I suppose. Have someone show you how to do this. It allows you to have control of the bridle, without being on your horse, and it helps them to learn to be soft and supple without forcing it and without you having to do 100% of the work (you just have to do about 80).
With long lining, you can introduce collection and a supple frame without being under saddle. It’s a beneficial tool.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2067855_teach-horse-long-line.html
That is an article that explains it basically.
Otherwise, just teach your horse when you ride him to be supple. It is very difficult to explain this, and you really should enlist the help of a trainer. If you can’t afford a trainer, find an experienced friend or adult that you trust who can help you with this.
Your horses frame for now, should look more like this:
http://candmequestrian.com/images/DSCN1280.jpg
It should be low, seeking contact with your hands, but supple and the forehead should be perpendicular to the ground, the nose not poking out or ducking in.
The process that it took to produce the look in these pictures is far too intense and involved to explain over the internet. I know that no one ever wants to hear "get a trainer" but honestly that’s the best advice you could get—so much goes into this, what you are seeing in these pictures is the product of long term training.
Gadgets are definitely a NO for dressage, aside from on the ground where proper use of side reins while lunging can be very beneficial.
If he isn’t even comfortable being ridden yet, you have a very long way to go, and again, it would be very useful to have a dressage trainer guiding you through this very complicated process.
as a training device try a bungie. they are like elastic draw reins so your hands learn how to feel "elastic". draw reins make your hands stiff