Getting Collected

Question
I am fourteen years old and have been riding since I was four. In November of 2005 I started leasing a horse that is 11 years old. I take a lesson on him once a week but ride a lot more during the week. I ride only hunter jumper on him, but my instructor likes to add some very basic dressage to each lesson to teach him how to get collected. When I started riding him he was very overweight because his owner had not ridden him in almost a year. When she did ride him, she was very successful in jumping him, but she concentrated on how high he was jumping and not his headset and how rounded he was. Therefore, he never truly learned how to get collected. He knows a little about it, but he definately needs to get finished. I know he is not behind my leg, and I know his neck is definately the problem. My instructor has often said his neck is tight and he needs to loosen up. It might be the saddle, which I have a saddle fitter coming out to look at. But I know the saddle isn't just the problem because I ride him bareback often and he still will not give me the headset. My question for you is do you know any stretches that I could do before, or during the ride, or any exercises that would help him learn how to get collected and so it is comfortable for him. I would also like to know is there a certian type of bridle or bit that would help teach him what to do. Thank you so much!  

Answer
Hi Mary;

Collection has nothing to do with a head set or even the neck.  Collection is the culmination of years and years of systematic gymnastic work, which includes elements of the training pyramid;  relaxation/rhythym, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and lastly collection.  If you're missing any of those elements you can't achieve collection.

This is not to say that his neck might not be tight, but it won't be the reason he's not collecting.  Collection comes from the horse transferring weight to his hindquarter and becoming more and more engaged until he reaches self-carriage.  When this happens, the head and neck will be as they should be and where they should be.

Some stretches you could do for the neck is to have him stand square and then touch his point of hip with his nose.  Also, have him bring his nose to his chest and eventually between his front legs to his girth.

Your instructor should be able to help you with the under saddle exercises to get his hindquarter more active.  If your instructor only focusses on the head and neck of this horse, then you might consider seeking out a more knowledgeable one.  You should be doing exercises like, long and low, shoulder-in, transitions every couple of strides, lengthening and shortening the stride within gaits, half halts etc., etc..

And no, there is not bit or bridle that teaches a horse to collect, because again, it's not about the head and neck, it's about the hindquarter.

Best of luck!

Sincerely,

Lana Reinhardt