A pony club question

Mare Stare

Mare Stare

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Our pony is ridden in a bitless bridle. The previous owner ruined his mouth by letting his kids pull at the reins all the time. He was sold to us under no pretence that he was difficult to get a bridle on. However, we managed it but with only a bitless bridle. Try and get a bit in his mouth and he turns into a psychopathic snorting monster, lashing out with his front legs and trying to rear.
So a bit is a giant no-no.

Would this rule him out for use as a PC pony? I've heard that PC has funny rules about tack. My daughter is mostly interested in the fun and games side more than serious competition.
 
Im sure hed be fine in the training and rallies but probaly not in the competitions. I know even BSJA wont allow juniors to compete bitless. Might be worth a phone call to your local PC.
 
Have you tried rebitting him? Just put a bit on and leave him be, when he accepts this put on the bit less but leave the bit in with no reins so that he learns that it doesnt hurt. Then add a pair of reins to the bit, work with the bitless and at the end of a lesson pickup the bit reins walk around a little then stop. Overtime he should overcome it.

I take it that teeth and back have been checked and he hasn't got a hidden wolf tooth or something like that. Chosen a nice warm bit, making sure that it isn't too thick for him.

Add honey, too the bit to make it tasty for him too.
 
Mucky Shavings said:
Have you tried rebitting him? Just put a bit on and leave him be, when he accepts this put on the bit less but leave the bit in with no reins so that he learns that it doesnt hurt. Then add a pair of reins to the bit, work with the bitless and at the end of a lesson pickup the bit reins walk around a little then stop. Overtime he should overcome it.

I take it that teeth and back have been checked and he hasn't got a hidden wolf tooth or something like that. Chosen a nice warm bit, making sure that it isn't too thick for him.

Add honey, too the bit to make it tasty for him too.
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We've tried but he clamps his mouth shut and then starts strikng out and rearing.

We've tried different bits in various thicknesses, styles, rubber, happy mouth etc, straight, jointed... he won't have them.

We've coated the bits in syrup, treacle, apple sauce, mint sauce - I've even made toffee especially to dip his bit into thinking it wouldn't wipe off as easily as the other stuff.

He won't have it. I'm really at a loss as to what to try next.
 
re: pony club rules
can be ridden in a bitless bridle as training and rallies however if competing under pony club rules he will not be allowed to compete in a bitless bridle.
This includes competing as a non PC member at a pony club event
 
If you really want to get over this with him there are people who can help you but it will take time. Try your local IH recommended associate - they will work with your pony and you to help him regain trust that he won't be hurt. They aren't "fluffy" and they don't use force.

I would really recommend that you give them a call to talk through options, even if you decide not to get them out for a consultation.

http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/specialist-horse-training.html
 
Sorry dont Pony Club any more but there were a couple of ponies at our branch who wore bitless.
My own opinion is why fret over "must get a bit in its mouth" if both pony and jockey are happy, safe and under control.
I had a bridle issue with one of my ponies when it came back from a producer and she said to just watch when putting the bridle on. Why?
"Oh it rears"
And when did she start doing this? I asked because I bred the pony and it had been wearing a bridle to show from two years old.
Turns out she had ear twitched it to clip it.
Took me a lot of time and patience to get the pony over that.
If you arnt bothered about teams I would continue bitless and happy.
 
frozzy said:
I had a bridle issue with one of my ponies when it came back from a producer and she said to just watch when putting the bridle on. Why?
"Oh it rears"
And when did she start doing this? I asked because I bred the pony and it had been wearing a bridle to show from two years old.
Turns out she had ear twitched it to clip it.
Took me a lot of time and patience to get the pony over that.
If you arnt bothered about teams I would continue bitless and happy.
Click to expand...


OMG you must have been FURIOUS. If I ever found out someone had ear twitched one of my ponies I would be incandescent!
 
I would speak to the DC of your local branch, and explain why it has a bitless bridle etc. I'm sure that you'll be fine for rallies, training and their own shows etc. For teams etc it may be a problem, but thats a bridge to cross later on..
 
Thanks guys.

I've got an IH lady coming out to him next weekend to see if she can do anything and I'm going to phone the local DC as soon as my daughter is out of earshot and see what they think. :)
 
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