Any suggestions?

[cobface]

I have posted regarding this matter before.
Wondering if anyone has any ideas? (as you mayhave read my previous post she is in light work at the moment but as soon as her legs 100% better)
First off my rising 5yr tb mare has had very little schooling, if not none in the past. I have had her almost a year now but still when i try to ask for a contact she lunges her head down and up and gets quite stressy about it. She has had her saddle re-stuffed and looked at by a qualified saddler, her wolf teeth removed and rasped by the dentist, a through check up from the vet including back, and just for good measure a visit from the back man.
She is ridden in a loose ring losenge snaffle, a martingale (she throws her head up alot whilst out hacking and jumping) and a caveson noseband. I have tried using the flexi reins with her which i find they do help a little. I have had a few lessons in the past and i no its not my aids?? i am good with my hands and i am asking her correctly.
I have been recommended an instructor who i have booked for 2 weeks time, am hoping we can work something out with her. Really hoping to do a bit of dressage at the end of may but shes far to head shaky any ideas?

 

[touchstone]

Could she have a pollen allergy? Maybe trying a nose net to see if that makes any difference, also check that her ears are comfy, a slightly too small browband can make them headshake.

Other than that maybe a bit which doesn't offer as much movement in her mouth so possiblu trying a fixed ring eggbutt might help.

If she hasn't had much schooling and she's still a baby then time and patience will be the key. Good luck!

 

[cobface]

Thank you
She was originally ridden in a fixed eggbut snaffle but she was worse in this........seems better in the loose ring. I have tried her in a straight bar happy mouth which she hated and the head thing started more! was going to try a myler and see how she goes in that......

 

[reindeerlover]

Why don't you lunge in loose side reins? That will enable her to get used to a nice constant contact and you can push her on into it. As she accepts the contact you can shorten them a little to give her a bit more, as she's just a baby she probably doesn't know that this is what is expected and the more you do it the better she will be. Obviously you've already ruled out discomfort so it sounds to me more like lack of understanding.

 

[cobface]

Why don't you lunge in loose side reins? That will enable her to get used to a nice constant contact and you can push her on into it. As she accepts the contact you can shorten them a little to give her a bit more, as she's just a baby she probably doesn't know that this is what is expected and the more you do it the better she will be. Obviously you've already ruled out discomfort so it sounds to me more like lack of understanding.

Will try this, she lunges well, someone also suggested a pessoa? i think it is more a question of not understanding what i want her to do. I traced her past and from what i can tell it seems she has literally been sent away to race, didn't make it then sold on to several dealers who have not done a thing with her.

 

[cobface]

I tried the side reins option today, she was going nicely until she resisted and panicked, reared and almost fell down as she couldn't get her balance due to the side reins, they were loose fitted to. She just hates the feeling of being restricted. Going to just hack her out the rest of the week now and wait for my lesson on Monday, see if this instructor can help out!
Maybe she is just not destined for dressage and i should just concentrate on the jumping instead which she really enjoys? shes normally good but can be challenging if she wants her own way - normally in the form of rearing and/or bucking!

 

[Walrus]

If she hasn't done much could it be that she isn't fit and isn't balanced. My 5 year old was only backed about 4 weeks ago and he snatches and yanks his head down but I think he's just getting used to everything. he also does it more towards the end of the ride so I assume that's as he's geting tired. How about just leaving schooling for a month and doing lots of hacking to build up strength, balance and fitness. I've always been told to put my leg on if the horse does that as well and push them forwards out of it even if it means a bit of a jog or trot.

 

[cobface]

If she hasn't done much could it be that she isn't fit and isn't balanced. My 5 year old was only backed about 4 weeks ago and he snatches and yanks his head down but I think he's just getting used to everything. he also does it more towards the end of the ride so I assume that's as he's geting tired. How about just leaving schooling for a month and doing lots of hacking to build up strength, balance and fitness. I've always been told to put my leg on if the horse does that as well and push them forwards out of it even if it means a bit of a jog or trot.

I ve had her almost a year now, done lots of hacking with her mainly, she has been off work for approx 10 days and prior to that she was exercised (hacked out) 4 - 5 times per week. Wanted to concentrate on schooling her this summer as shes a bit older now (rising 5) maybe she isnt ready yet, i don't know?