Advice for flighty strong horse?

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Troyseph

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My boy is always on his toes wanting to go go go! Especially in open spaces etc. He's extremely strong and is ridden in a snaffle, I refuse to put s harsher bit in his mouth...even tho everyone is telling me to get a gag in there! Umm no?!.... I'm considering trying bitless, if you were in my situation what would you do? He's very on the forehand too, and tends to just take the pee any faster than a collected canter, if you go past collected his heads way up in the air (I have a martingale but ride bareback 99% of the time so obviously don't have a martingale most of the time. Any advice appreciated thank you. Ps he used to be a driving horse..hence his strength
 
Well then I have no idea! He's obviously full of the joys... can you bottle some of what he has and send it my way?

You could try magnesium as a 'calmer'... never done bitless, wouldn't know about that.
 
If you do not want to change bits, why not try a kineton noseband? They work a little like an english hackamore and put on nose pressure when horse really takes hold and you take up a strong contact. Worth a try - if he respects that he may well go nicely in a hackamore. My daughter's pony go brilliantly in a hackamore - very respectful and doesn't pull (normally ridden in a snaffle)
 
Humm strong as in, if you go into a canter he is extremely hard to pull up, any faster and it takes ageeeeeeeees to stop :/ he's ok in walk and trot but even to get him to stop to wait for the ride etc he get annoyed and starts dancing!!
 
I'd much rather but a stronger bit in his mouth and use it rarely than be hauling on his mouth all the time in a snaffle.

If he was a driving horse he'll be used to a curb bit, why not try a pelham with 2 reins? Ride on the top rein and just use the curb when he's strong.
 
Syrah said:
Would it not be better to have a stronger bit where you can have soft contact than be hauling away with a snaffle?
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I agree with this, why not try a hanging snaffle, he might be strong because you are being strong with him, it's all about giving and taking, My instructor tells me you can give as strong a half halt as needed as long as you release straight away so you are not giving him anything to be strong against. It will take time to "fix" these kind of problems, lost of transitions, give and retakes in school will help too.
 
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