| It is worth mentioning a soft mouth will only come from | | | | him to carry himself. It is then that the rider needs to |
| good hands. A horse with a hard mouth is usually | | | | use their legs to activate the horses hind legs to carry |
| always indicative of a problem behind the saddle | | | | himself forwards and upwards, your hands can be use |
| rather than in front. Having the horses teeth checked | | | | to check the horse's speed. |
| should be a first port of call to ensure that there are | | | | Tips |
| not any problems within his mouth that he is reacting | | | | Every time you want to pull to e.g. lift the horse's head |
| to. | | | | forehand, give your hands forwards one at a time. |
| If the horse is taking short steps with his hind legs he | | | | Keep your rein aids brief, keeping them light so as to |
| will not be stepping under his body enough to support | | | | prevent the horse from being able to lean on them. |
| his weight correctly. This will mean that he will be too | | | | Stay in the slower gaits until the horse is softer in his |
| much on the forehand and all his weight will be carried | | | | mouth. |
| here and in turn you will feel you are holding the weight | | | | This is a very important problem to overcome. It is the |
| in your hands. If the rider becomes accustomed to this | | | | responsibility to teach the horse how to work and not |
| and allows the horse to lean on them, the horse will be | | | | something the horse should be blamed for. Light hands, |
| happy to lean on the bit and carry on as he is. Light | | | | understanding and correct schooling techniques over |
| hands do not provide a support for heavy a horse | | | | time can ensure every horse can work with a soft |
| making him unable to lean on the bit and encourages | | | | mouth. |