What everyone ought to know about getting your horse on the bit 

Thank you Mary, I spend so much time at Pony club mincing around with a hollowed out back and my butt stuck out-and then i tuck the butt and relax and show the difference in my stride...my kids think i am so weird - I am going to send them all this link, you are far more eloquent than I. I am always telling them - let go of the head and drive it from behind. Keep spreading the word.. the horse world needs more like you

Thank you Mary, you say things so clearly. And thank you to Amiee Brimhall for telling me about you.

thank you SO much! I've had this problem FOREVER and have found that instructors just don't explain things fully, they just tell you to do it and expect it to happen. Can't wait to watch your other videos :)

Thank you, at last someone explaining it in a way I can understand, especially looking at it through the human body, it makes obvious sense now.

Awesome video, everything you say is spot on and things that I wish more people knew. It is so frustrating how most of riders think of being on the bit! Thank you for making this!

Cant wait to go out this morning on my Thoroughbred! I'll keep you posted.

THIS EXPLAINS SO MUCH!!! thank you so much I'm sure my horse will be much happier :D

Thanks Mary, Currently have a lovely horse off the track who finds bits difficult. Am using an English Hackamore and your principles still apply.

Great help, impressive knowledge and experience! Thank you!

Thank you for that explanation it was extremely constructive to me!!

Wow, that was excellent, thank you.

Good, necessary info! Agree, best riders often not explain the How To, they just do.

I get what you are saying thankyou! But how do you get your horse to bring his back up?

The problem is that "on the bit" is an obsession for some people and is encouraged by instructors because if the horse has his head in a natural position (which it should be with novice and beginner riders) it is seen as lack of skill. It is something which should never be encouraged until the rider has sufficient skill to use his weight and aids which are mostly from the advancement of the use of the seat and mechanics.

Makes so much sense, I also hate when told to use more half halts, with confusing explanations, hoping that will get on the bit!!!

Hi Mary, I love all your material (reading your books at the moment) - where did you get your stool? It looks great!

Partially correct. One should not talk about the butt but the crotch; not the clit but the inner area of the top of the legs. The butt is a useless piece of mass that only confuses the horse, if anything. Also, you ought to learn the proper, thorough and adequate use of the bit; otherwise, for what I hear in this video, you might as well go bit-less. Finally, the art of the deal consist not in making the horse do things; quite contrarily, proper riding means telling the horse what to do. Asking, helping, etc. are but hypocritical terms, which confuse beginners and belittle horses.

thank you so much, this helps me understand my pony better. at the beginning he is alwasy above the bit and drags the hind legs along, but in the end he's quite nice, stretches down (i reward by giving him the reins) and his hind legs come under and he lifts his back, which i can feel. but it always takes so long, nearly 30 minutes. he is 11 years old amd quite looky/spooky. how can i bring his back up and get him fo focus on his work with me? because personally i think it's his spooky/lookiness responsible for him to hollowback in the beginning.

What does it mean if the horse goes under the bit and hides ? Please help

I switched to bitless. I challenge speaker or anyone to using a bit over bitless

So balancing my weight from my bottom to my knee brings the horses back out? Did I get that right? How do I even do that and still sit the right way?

No girly chatter...much appreciated! Looking for more.

not even 2 years old and the damn term "on the bit" is still been used FFS!

No need for bit! Bits where created for control and pain.

Getting it on the bit is torture in the hands of people who don't know what they are doing. Go bitless, it is safer that way for the horse. Humans are only human. They make mistakes. They startle, they are impatient and annoyed and so many are just plain mean and angry. And the horses get punished for it. Play it safe. There is an alternative to that bit that is better for the horse and just as fine for the human. Sure it means you have to change your ways, but the reward will be great. If it is wrong, change it. Don't hurt horses, do your groundwork, teach him what you want of him while walking next to him, and go bitless. He will be so grateful that he will happily do everything for you.