Another (very strong) Pony Bit question

[ponymum123]

Ok, here is my problem. My daughter is 11 years old. She has been riding 4 years. She has soft (for a young rider) hands. Pony is 13.2”, very fit and strong. Brought him 2 years ago and is ridden in a French link hanging cheek snaffle. He is very handsome and was previously used as a show pony, so ridden in a double bridle, (with a Pelham). He is a very sensitive chap and quite sharp and typically (“pony”) naughty. For flatwork he can be cheeky but goes well in the snaffle. He is also ridden with a running martingale. Now here for the problems. Out hacking - due to past rides and lack or brakes, he has been ridden in a Pelham; he has been great, but still slightly difficult to stop.

Two weeks ago we took him cross country schooling and he was so fired up and excited with very little brakes. We tried again the next day and he went bonkers. All he wanted to do was bolt away from everyone and go back to the gates. He was jumpy, stressed and to be honest completely out of control. No bucking just flat out gallop/bolt, even away from the other horses. An older rider tried him and even she said he was impossible, apparently he was “holding” the bit between his teeth, turned and just bolted back to the gate. The whole session was draining and my daughter was exhausted physically and mentally. I am so worried as this behaviour was really out of character for him. Yes, he tends to want to go fast and brakes have been an issue, but he just seemed to “snap”. My biggest worry is the bit is just too strong or painful for him and he really got upset, he looked scared and that is the last thing in the world I would ever want to do to any pony. So we stopped.

Jumping in an arena – he gets very excited and strong and my daughter is having difficulty in slowing him down. She jumps in the snaffle and he has been ok –ish. Last weekend, for the first time, he shoved his head up in the air and just flew around all over the place like a tank, flying past the jumps and getting really stressed and fired up. When he jumps his ears are forward, he clears them easy. He just goes towards a jump with such enthusiasm and speed, that my daughter has zero control.

Bits tried – tom thumb – no difference
Cherry roller – no difference.

I don’t want a “stronger” bit, just the right bit! If anything, I think we need to look at something a lot less severe than the Pelham. I honestly believe it either hurt him or frightened him. Whether he has bad memories of this bit from his past or not I don’t know.

My daughter has done lots and lots of schooling and flatwork, walk trot transitions, walking and trotting over poles, controlling his paces etc. He just does not want to trot or even engage in a steady canter over jumps.

I just thought – for the past 3 months we have given him a daily calmer in his feed as he was getting pretty hot at shows. His teeth are checked very regularly and the dentist said he has great teeth and gums.

Any help or suggestion would be gratefully accepted.

 

[palomino_pony]

Have you tried Mylers? My mare is much happier now she has a mild mullen mouth myler that is quite thin. They have a help line you could try?

Also the curb chain may be a bit hash? could you try an elastic one?

I would seek the advice of an experienced instructor where they can try out different bits in a safe environment in a lesson. Good luck finding the right one.

 

[texel]

This is a classic case of a ‘pony living life in the fast lane’ and over his lifetime has been taught to behave in this seemingly wild and crazy fashion by humans.

All equines push into pain, this is instinctive. In the wild if a predator leapt onto a horse and he pulled away there would be a risk of having his stomach torn open, so horses will push into pain to lessen the damage. This is what happens with bit usage – rider pulls - horse pushes into the pain; rider changes the bit adds flash noseband and pulls to stop – horse pushes even harder. Rider builds up a vast collection of bits, spends a fortune and uses all ‘calming supplements’ available on the planet – to no avail. Pulling on both reins has no effect and in most cases will make the situation worse. Horses in this state do not have a lateral mouth and become dangerous over time.

Horses as you know will flee from a frightening situation. Equines need time to get used to the activities we require them to do. In many cases they are not introduced to new situations carefully and you end up with a seemingly uncontrollable pony. I see is all of the time – I also own nutcase! (he isn’t now but he was very similar to your pony).

If you want a long term solution don’t use a ‘quick fix’ and the harsher bits are not the answer. You will eventually run out of bits to try and funds to buy them !!! Bits cause pain and interference with the breathing system and also cause horses to choke on their tongue.

Once you have ruled out any physical issues you have to WORK ON THE PONY’S MIND to break this habit. This takes time and patience. You have to help the pony to break the link between being ridden in certain situations and tanking off and becoming uncontrollable. His mind is in constant flight mode and he is running on adrenalin. You do this by starting again with your pony and you must be prepared for total abstinence from competitions etc for a good number of months and you replace this with a calm and sedate re-training programme using very basic equipment; groundwork exercises, long reining etc.

You can send me an email if you would like further assistance.

 

[Tnavas]

Try putting the chain through the bit rings rather than behind the bit. This keeps the chain down in the chin groove.

When the chain is placed behind the bit it can ride up onto the jaw bone and cause a great deal of pain, it can also pinch the corners of the mouth between the mouthpiece and the chain.

If the Pelham is not working try and Uxeter with the rein in the lower hole. Another bit that I've found good for younger riders is the Myler combination - a cobination of a bit and a bitless.