How to Work With a Horse to Change Its Frame

Changing a horse's frame means teaching the horse to carry itself in the most efficient way. The frame refers to the outline of the top of the horse's body. Riding correctly is the best way to naturally alter a horse's topline, although there are tools that will advance your horse's muscle development correctly if you aren't sure how to properly use your aids ̵2; your hands, legs and seat ̵2; and balance the horse. If your training is progressing correctly, the horse will be able to carry itself in a proper frame while your aids stay soft and connected.

Things You'll Need

  • Side reins with elastic
  • Longeing surcingle or saddle
  • Longe line
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Instructions

  1. Longeing

    • 1

      Tack your horse up as you normally would, or place a saddle pad with a surcingle on your horse. Buckle the girth or surcingle snugly. Longeing is an exercise where the horse works in a circle around the trainer, with the trainer holding a long line or rope connected to the horse's bit. A surcingle is a band that wraps around the horse's girth, behind the front legs with attachments for side reins.

    • 2

      Attach side reins to your horse's bit and the surcingle. If you are using your saddle, attach the side reins to the girth or the dee loops on your saddle. The dee loops are found just in front of the stirrup bar, at the front of the saddle and just below the pommel. Be sure that there is slack in the side reins. You want your horse to stretch forward and down, looking for contact, but you don't want to trap it and make it fearful of contact. Use side reins with elastic to give the horse more freedom as it adjusts to carrying itself in this new manner.

    • 3

      Longe your horse in both directions. Longe only at the walk and trot first, until your horse is confident, consistently accepting the side reins and stretching and softening into contact. Longe for 5 to 10 minutes per session when beginning to use side reins, as your horse will be exercising muscles it isn't accustomed to using.

    Riding

    • 4

      Ride a 20-meter circle at a rising trot. In a rising trot, you let your horse lift you up with one bounce and sit the next. It is easier on your horse's back and less tiring for you when trotting for a long period. Drive your horse forward for the first half of the circle in a brisk trot, ensuring that the horse is listening to your aids and responds swiftly.

    • 5

      Check your aids. Support your horse with the outside rein, open your inside rein slightly for a mild bend, and move your hand back to its original position. Continue alternately flexing and straightening your horse on the 20-meter circle. Do this activity in both directions for equal amounts of time.

    • 6

      Maintain the slight bend and ask your horse to move forward. Your horse should respond with more power from its hind end, and as it does, slightly close your outside hand, thus making your horse rounder and not faster.