0ldmare
Well-Known Member
My 6 year old was originally backed by a racing yard and (I think) must have missed out a few vital steps in her initial education. Her mouth could best be described as very, very wooden.
Anyway, 11 months after buying her things have only marginally improved. She is now lovely in walk and trot on the left rein (unless you want to make a downward transition, but I will come onto that later). She is also, after a while, good in walk on the right rein. In trot on the right rein she feels completely wooden, fixed and unbending. If you keep going long enough you can get an improvement, but next time its back to how it was. In canter on the left rein she is balanced and light in the hand until you ask for a transition back to trot at which point she fixes again and is difficult to bring back. Its not like she is running away with you, its almost more like she doesnt understand what you want. Using your seat has no effect. Its the same on the right rein in canter, although worse as this is her stiff side.
I have tried a number of bits, but am at present in a myler short shank combination bit as her lack of brakes was difficult hacking and exhausting schooling. She is better in this than any other bit, but I cant say she is light in the hand!! She doesnt mouth ever.
Just for the record I have had her teeth done (really good dentist), had saddle fitted and checked again. Had the Mctimony person to check her back who found she was locked solid on her offside quarter and nearside shoulder. This has now been worked on and she now is equally able to stretch on both sides etc etc. (Back person says she has finished the treatment and doesnt need to return - October last year).
I'm just baffled to know how to get an improvement. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any exercises I could try. Any ideas why a horse would appear to almost set itself against the bit (if that doesnt sound too mad!).
I should say that she does have some real positives! She is utterly bombproof in traffic, has been hacked by a total novice in walk and trot, is a stunning looker and has the nicest sweetest temperment of any horse on this planet (a child of 5 could lead her about and groom her!).
She is just a bit dispiriting!
Anyway, 11 months after buying her things have only marginally improved. She is now lovely in walk and trot on the left rein (unless you want to make a downward transition, but I will come onto that later). She is also, after a while, good in walk on the right rein. In trot on the right rein she feels completely wooden, fixed and unbending. If you keep going long enough you can get an improvement, but next time its back to how it was. In canter on the left rein she is balanced and light in the hand until you ask for a transition back to trot at which point she fixes again and is difficult to bring back. Its not like she is running away with you, its almost more like she doesnt understand what you want. Using your seat has no effect. Its the same on the right rein in canter, although worse as this is her stiff side.
I have tried a number of bits, but am at present in a myler short shank combination bit as her lack of brakes was difficult hacking and exhausting schooling. She is better in this than any other bit, but I cant say she is light in the hand!! She doesnt mouth ever.
Just for the record I have had her teeth done (really good dentist), had saddle fitted and checked again. Had the Mctimony person to check her back who found she was locked solid on her offside quarter and nearside shoulder. This has now been worked on and she now is equally able to stretch on both sides etc etc. (Back person says she has finished the treatment and doesnt need to return - October last year).
I'm just baffled to know how to get an improvement. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any exercises I could try. Any ideas why a horse would appear to almost set itself against the bit (if that doesnt sound too mad!).
I should say that she does have some real positives! She is utterly bombproof in traffic, has been hacked by a total novice in walk and trot, is a stunning looker and has the nicest sweetest temperment of any horse on this planet (a child of 5 could lead her about and groom her!).
She is just a bit dispiriting!
