I have just started riding a young horse and he seems to get very worked up and tense when you ride him. My aim is to get him working long and low and to work trough his back but at the moment I cant get him as far as streching down and taking up the contact he just gets worked up an although he puts his head down he is working hollow and with a false bend. I need some advise on how to fix my problem.

Hi!
Long and Low (or Down & Out) is one of my favourite subjects!
Helping a young horse to work in this way requires quite a bit of skill and a lot of feel.
Young horses are usually a little unbalanced and, depending how the starting procedure under saddle was done, there might be some anxiety - which may be the cause of the tension you are experiencing.
Long and low in combination with a fairly light seat (trotting), is ideal to settle and strengthen youngsters.
So how do you get this "child" to settle mentally, accept the contact and relax?
Answer: Rhythm. Find this youngster's natural rhythm and make it yours. Then "guard it". (You may slow him down later )
While you may need to correct him several times in his rhythm (always riding forward!), he will eventually balance himself. While this was going on you always had a light, consistent contact (one which never restricted, or disappeared!!).
By offering this consistent, light, feeling contact, you did not interfere with his mouth and it will have helped him settle mentally.

Once you have made the rhythm "yours"(hoof beat and breathing become smooth and flowing), you could start flexing your youngster at the poll. Flex him softly for a few strides to the left, when he gives, you give and softly retake the connection with his nose a little lower each time. (Still actively going forward from your leg). Then flex his poll gently to the right... - now, not too much! You want to keep him going straight, again, giving as soon as he gives. etc.
Forward actively, straight, stay in a fairly light seat (rising trot with slightly forward inclined upper body). You will notice that with every "give" he will stretch down a little more, following down your "give". Your action of ever so softly retaking the connection will eventually lead him to go forward, stretching down into the contact without getting hollow.
Don't expect him to stay there for long.... you have to be as flexible as he needs you to be. Once he lost balance, start again.
He will get the hang of it and will develop strength pretty quickly, so he will be able to carry himself with you on board, being rounder, longer.
Do cavalettis in this way as well.
Allow him to stretch down, looking at them .....

Have fun...

I hadn't ridden for nearly 10 years and had lost my timing - a good instructor helped me find it again and my horse responded instantly. I was asking him to leg yield but with my timing out it was nearly impossible for him to respond appropriately. My good timing helped him learn to maintain his rythym - esp in the canter, not to mention improving the engagemnt out of sight and bringing some swing into the trot! Lovely!

Thank you, Carola!
You have such a lovely way with words.
If we only had an instructor like you at our barn!
Regards from Ohio
Sue B.