Hmmmm- I am not "pulling back and down", nor do I ever "see-saw" on any horses mouth, and did not think I was describing either motion. This forum has been a great opportunity to practice writing because if several people misinterpret something the same way, then I assume that I did not write very clearly. So, I am neither pulling back and down nor see-sawing at any point.

Your point about when I put my hands down on his withers, it is causing my weight to shift forward, which is counter-productive to trying to get a horse lighter in their front end, is well taken. First though, there is a rationale- when I am cantering with my hand on his withers it has been with a completely loose rein (zero contact). The purpose of placing the hand on the withers while cantering on a loose rein is that it helps remind me to "trust him" (i.e. not to unconsciously slip into holding him back).

This part has worked really well, even better then what I hoped. He is now able to canter for long distances on a loose rein without the relentless speeding up he did when I first got him. Because I have been riding mostly w/o contact, he can't brace against me. Bracing and rushing were two of his bigger faults. I have been picking up contact for lateral work, but do not hold my hand down at the withers for this, in fact I have been worried that my hands are probably too high most of the time. We have been doing lots of serpentines, with a few strides of straightness before changing the bend to the new directions. Also, counter bending on a circle at a trot is a great exercise. These really help with shoulder control.