Advice needed

[ruby92]

My ex racehorse I've had for 2 months throws his head around and doesn't accept a contact everything teeth etc have been checked.. my instructor tried a bungee which we lunged in first then ridden and obviously there was so much difference i can hack out without any problems school etc however today I tried without went to hack out and he was very worried. Spooking at silly things he wouldn't normally, stupid question but is this to do with the effects of a bungee I suffer with joint problems in my wrists so any jarring has me in pain, is there anything I could try that isn't a bungee but has the same effect I know I shouldn't use training aids and just use myself before that comment comes up
Thank you

 

[saddlesore]

Has a good equine physio had a look? It could easily be linked to atlas or tmj issues. The increased spooking could be due to being sorer after the session with the bungee

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I wouldn't use any gadgets this stage. You need a good trainer to help you getting moving from behind before even consider hauling in the front end. You don't say how long he has been out of racing but if not long his muscles won't be able to support the type of work your asking of him. Take everything slowly x

 

[Red-1]

If he was previously not spooky, wore a bungee (which changed his way of going) then subsequently is spooky, then yes, I would imagine the bungee either made him sore or confused him as he was unable to find the release.

I don't know why you put the last part of your post, the post says that you think it is a possibility the bungee caused the issue, that you "know you shouldn't do it," but that you want yet another gadget to do the same?

I would start on the floor, helping him work out what a contact is for a general riding horse, how to find the relief by finding the release. Then working slowly to change his musculature. Then long reining, before taking it to the saddle.

I would also get a physio, mine had loads as he was a lami horse when I bought him and had residual musculature patterns that were sore. Yours will also likely have loads of unhelpful musculature patterns that would benefit from a registered physio.

Could you ask your trainer to ride the horse, if they are experienced in educating racehorses?

 

[ycbm]

How long has he been out of training? If you are trying to retrain him from racing yourself then it sounds like you might need to find a different instructor.

If he has already been retrained by someone else, and is perhaps just taking advantage of you being physically weaker or less experienced than his previous rider, then I don't think there's anything wrong with a loosely fitted bungy to give each of you more confidence in the other for a while.
.

 

[rextherobber]

may be a pollen allergy ?

 

[Ceriann]

I had a chiropractor vet out to mine at end of rehab and was told my mare was still quite weak in hind and I need to really work on core strength and not school until it was improved. Carrot stretches almost daily, ground work (not just lunging but backing up straight, transitions, poles) and lots of hacking (mainly walk) and it really has made a huge difference. This took 2-3 months. No gadgets used - I invested in an in hand schooling whip and some online programmes (as my in hand work is pants). I still include in hand work in our weekly work too.

 

[AandK]

I would also take a look at the bit you are using, I found a massive difference swapping my exracer's bit earlier this year.

 

[FireCracker238]

I would also take a look at the bit you are using, I found a massive difference swapping my exracer's bit earlier this year.

Would you mind elaborating please ?

 

[AandK]

Would you mind elaborating please ?

If he is not happy in his mouth, he will not want to take the contact. The bit may not suit his mouth shape, or is just something he is not happy with. I swapped from an old NS lozenge snaffle to an Expert Bits comfy mouth, horse is much happier. Expert Bits are quite reasonably priced and I think they offer an advice service too, worth a look.

 

[FireCracker238]

If he is not happy in his mouth, he will not want to take the contact. The bit may not suit his mouth shape, or is just something he is not happy with. I swapped from an old NS lozenge snaffle to an Expert Bits comfy mouth, horse is much happier. Expert Bits are quite reasonably priced and I think they offer an advice service too, worth a look.

Thank you ??