Advice on bits - long... !

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mizzymoo

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my mare is driving me mad!

hoping someone can give advice or ideas...
i currently have her in a baucher, cavesson bridle, running martingale.

my mare is an angel in the school works in an outline, stop and half haults onthe slighest rein contact, but as soon as we go outside the yard gates its a different story, she will ride happily out away from the yard at which ever pace i choose on a long rein without a care in the world, but as soon as we turn for home the head hits the sky we march, jog,spoke and shes a real twat! wont stand still at roads if i ask for trot its a stupid pace, rushed, canter is head up and off if i loosen the reins we go faster, if i pull back its a fight to slow or stop, she feels like a spring waiting to explode,
iv tried the ride past home but eventually you we have to turn for home! i can take her out hunting all day and shes still like this on the way home and on the hunt, its like shes posessed!
shes had her back, teeth etc checked and i even brought a new saddle!
its not her feed as she only gets a sprinkle, (shes on a hay/grass diet)
iv owned her 10 years and its only the last couple of years shes acted this way, iv tried all gadgets,
if i ride her in side reins so she cant shoot her head up but loose so shes not in an outline shes better but i get alot of nose blowing and grumberling like shes very angry alot of people say im to soft on her but i dont know how to over come this??
 
Gosh she sounds just like one of my old competition pony's, she was just like this, even when she was 23 years old she still had so much stamina, I used to get a stitch on the way home from her jogging, I used to try squeeze with my knees so my upper leg was on but my lower leg off and as I was squeezing with my knees gently half halt until she went back to walk and id then relax my reins, she was sooo strong and very sensitive, I only had to tense my body or touch my reins and she was off lol, maybe try have some lessons if you dont already x
 
Sorry forgot to say it didnt matter what bit we put in our mare she was still the same, extremely strong, so we put her back in a loose ring snaffle with a flash and running martingale and we found this helped as the gadgets wound her up more x
 


iv always thought about a standing martingale but worry she may reject it and do something silly like rear and fall?


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I only had to tense my body or touch my reins and she was off lol, maybe try have some lessons if you dont already x

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lisa_dundee - shes fine in the school i have lessons they dont really help,as shes an angel in the school,

if i put a flash on her she shakes her and snatches it,
tho with the cavesson i can she her jaw crossing and mouth opening -
 
this is not a bit problem, or a tack problem, its a mare being bloody minded problem. it can be sorted, but dont expect miracle cures. and you have to be firm and consistant. firstly, does she only do it her own, or in company as well. either way, are you anticipating the behaviour starting, are you expecting it, so pre warning her as you near the turn for home. if she is just being stroppy, i can only suggest that as she starts it, you firmly and clearly say NO, to her. at the same time ask for halt, persist till you get the halt, even if you have to have an arguement with her, turn circles, stick her head in a hedge, do whatever it takes to get the halt. the minute she halts and stands for even a second, praise her with your voice, and a scratch on the neck. do not allow her to move on till you ask her to do so. if she moves off on her own, stop her again and repeat the process. yes, i know, i can hear you saying, its going to takea long time to get home. well your right, but do it on a day that you are not pushed for time, so you can see it through. if she walks off calmly, keep praising her, and talking to her. if she starts playing up again. repeat the process. this could take weeks or days, but you have to see it through. if you are not sure about doing this on your own, take a quiet horse with you. ask the other horse to stop with you. once you start this process, you cannot insist on her doing it one day and then let her get away with it the next. be consistant, and you will see results. how long it will take, will depend on how strong a will she has, and if yours is stronger than hers. i hope this helps. good luck. dont give in. x
 
Thank you for your advice milliemay, she is very much a mare! and will try her luck with everything !
RE - the riding - i tried this with her today, (the haulting ) she got herself in a real mess but as you say it wont be all plain sailing, she will stand for seconds and the moment i ask her to walk on she flys off at speed, i dont know why she is like this, i took her straight in the school after our hack and she was an angel trotting round in an outline, a friend has recommended global herbs? do you think this may take the edge off her?
im dreading winter as she will be in more and like a loose cannon!
at the mo i see my future going round and round in circles in the school, as riding out is a chore!
 
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