Checking

[royaldakotabreez]

has anyone ever "checked" a horse? as in tying the reins to either side of the saddle for a period of time with no one in the saddle? i've only seen it done once, and i bought myself a cutting book to look at, and he had something in there about it. i'd like to try it on Sadie just to put a little more control on her and see if that helps with the tossing the head and pulling on my hands. any input is greatly appreciated!

[NHIceGSD]

I've done side reins, while lunging and while riding. I only use them with more advanced horses... and I'm talking from more of a H/J point of view. I use them to encourage correct balane and encourage correct head carriage. There's alot more to it, but you'll want to start them as long as possible, and then gradually shorten them as the horse becomes more balanced and in better shape.

[Sirita_88]

I roundpen my horses before I ride and I use some form of checking. Always with a snaffle. I ride wp and hus only, and it helps them remember how to carry themselves without the extra weight. They are both pretty young still and need reminders...

[royaldakotabreez]

she's been roundpenned, longed on and off a line, follows me everywhere even when i don't have a hold of her. we tried driving her, but she was so confused and got tangled up in the lines, we didn't push that very much. i can back her up, move her hindquarters, move her head away from me all without touching her. in the saddle, she will move off leg pressure, will flex her head to the left and right, but is still a little stiff, and is well started learning how to move off my inside leg, it's just when i add my hands to the mix that we have the trouble, and after she bucked with me it's started with the leg pressure as well. i would just like something to teach her that her head should follow my hands without the tossing and shaking of the head and without pulling on me. if there's any other things i could do to get her to give better, please share. thanks for the replies!

[Kendra]

Just remember not to 'check' her so snug that she doesn't have a point to get release.
The idea is to have the reins at a length where when she gives and finds that spot where there is no pressure on her mouth that she is still slightly in front of the vertical.
You don't want to tie her head in place as that will just make her sore and PO'd.

I always run draw reins between their front legs and tie over their backs and adjust so that when they are standing normally the reins do not put pressure on their mouth at all.
Once they start moving out the movement of their front legs gently 'rocks' the bit in their mouth. It takes about 10 minutes for them to fugure out if they drop their head the pressure stops. They are also pretty quick to teach themselves that the slower they go the less pressure on their face. That's how I slow down my pleasure horses. Rather than pulling on them I stick them on the end of the line, bit them up and let them figure it out on their own. Once you are riding you just need to pick up a rein and they will drop into that sweet spot where there is no pressure.

Works like a charm and the horse maintains complete lateral freedom.

[cboling]

It works great on horses that don't want to give, but its also good for every horse to do this. We tie them up and sit and watch while we have a break. They turn around and around and finally will give and then we switch sides.

Just not to tight like someone mentioned above.

[BarrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Kendra

Just remember not to 'check' her so snug that she doesn't have a point to get release.
The idea is to have the reins at a length where when she gives and finds that spot where there is no pressure on her mouth that she is still slightly in front of the vertical.
You don't want to tie her head in place as that will just make her sore and PO'd.

I always run draw reins between their front legs and tie over their backs and adjust so that when they are standing normally the reins do not put pressure on their mouth at all.
Once they start moving out the movement of their front legs gently 'rocks' the bit in their mouth. It takes about 10 minutes for them to fugure out if they drop their head the pressure stops. They are also pretty quick to teach themselves that the slower they go the less pressure on their face. That's how I slow down my pleasure horses. Rather than pulling on them I stick them on the end of the line, bit them up and let them figure it out on their own. Once you are riding you just need to pick up a rein and they will drop into that sweet spot where there is no pressure.

Works like a charm and the horse maintains complete lateral freedom.

Exactly what i do, but I think you explained much better than me!

But I like to make sure the horse is responsive to the bit before I check them up. It sounds like your horse fights the reins? I would suggest trying to solve the head tossing and shaking before I would check her up. That's just me, though...