Bit advice for a HEAVY horse please

[Blizzard]

ok, 16.2hh is ridden in a cheltenham gag, he has been in this bit for years, as he can be very strong.

However when he wants to be lazy, ie ALL the time in the school, he really leans, yesterday it was beyond a joke, its a wonder he didnt stand on his own nose his head was so low.

I try to keep him alert, half halts and transitions, changes of direction, which does work to an extent, but he even does it out hacking, he just switches off and ambles on, getting heavier and heavier in my hands.

I wouldnt mind so much except that when he does spook, often LOL, and his neck comes up and his head comes in, well you realise you dont have a good enough contact, but I dont want to spend our hacks holding his head up.

So what do you think, a Waterford?

He can be fussy in his mouth, I had to buy him a new cheltenham gag as his was very old, and although it was the same bit the mouthpiece was slightly thicker, well it look him a good while to settle with it and now he likes it. So I dont want something that will be too chunky in his mouth.

Thank you for any advice, i will end up with muscles like He-Man soon!

 

[Rowreach]

Waterford!! Definitely!! I love 'em.

 

[dane07]

i have a 17h which is exactly the same, and he gets so on the forehand that he keeps tripping see past post "so heavy on the forehand" eveyone gave me sooo much advice !!
ive not got him in a hanging cheek with a flash noseband and hes a different horse .. he loves it ! id stay plenty of bending exercises !!! get his hind legs underneath him ....

 

[Blizzard]

Thanks so much, I will find your post!

Yes Ive herd good things regarding Waterfords Rowreach!

 

[JessPickle]

Well I use a waterford on pickle and it works a treat go for it

 

[Blizzard]

[ QUOTE ]

ive now got him in a hanging cheek with a flash noseband and hes a different horse .. he loves it !

[/ QUOTE ]

He he Im not sure I would have enough brakes in a snaffle

 

[Parkranger]

[ QUOTE ]
ok, 16.2hh is ridden in a cheltenham gag, he has been in this bit for years, as he can be very strong.

However when he wants to be lazy, ie ALL the time in the school, he really leans, yesterday it was beyond a joke, its a wonder he didnt stand on his own nose his head was so low.

I try to keep him alert, half halts and transitions, changes of direction, which does work to an extent, but he even does it out hacking, he just switches off and ambles on, getting heavier and heavier in my hands.

I wouldnt mind so much except that when he does spook, often LOL, and his neck comes up and his head comes in, well you realise you dont have a good enough contact, but I dont want to spend our hacks holding his head up.

So what do you think, a Waterford?

He can be fussy in his mouth, I had to buy him a new cheltenham gag as his was very old, and although it was the same bit the mouthpiece was slightly thicker, well it look him a good while to settle with it and now he likes it. So I dont want something that will be too chunky in his mouth.

Thank you for any advice, i will end up with muscles like He-Man soon!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like a schooling issue as opposed to a bit issue?

Maybe he was schooled badly before you got him - Ty had massive issues accepting a contact - schooling is sorting that out now!

 

[Blizzard]

[ QUOTE ]


Sounds like a schooling issue as opposed to a bit issue?

Maybe he was schooled badly before you got him - Ty had massive issues accepting a contact - schooling is sorting that out now!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm I dont think its a schooling issue, he has been in the same home for 12yrs and has had a very successful career trained by a BHSAI, I think its just laziness and his age, he is 18 and only in light work.
These days he is just a happy hacker really, and he can be full of beans still when he wants to be, the leaning is more when he switches off and gets bored, like in the school or on long hacks.

He does take notice when I ask for transitions etc and stops leaning, but as soon as you stop asking he goes back to day dreaming LOL.

I know he is one of those horses that just doesnt like schooling, hence it being worse in there, a bit like us dragging our feet and slouching I suppose.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

see my post - bit recommendation - if not waterford is brilliaant, used a loose ring water on my lad, only chaged as he bolted with me in it !!!!