Bit Advice .. mare leans on me heavily and tries to do her own pace!!!

lynseylou1

lynseylou1

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My 15.2 connie xID has a tendency when hacking behind other horses to lean on my hands in canter, to go faster and snatch the reins. She does this kind of scooping her head down and low then scoops it straight up high so she is looking at the sky in a fast motion to get her head. If i keep a good hold and sit deep to try n slow her down she tucks her chin in and tries to go faster like that! ... before looking skywards again!Most disconcerting Doesnt do it in the school or if she is upfront!
Teeth all done by a qualified dentist 2 months ago and new saddle fitted by a saddler in same time. She is just being an spoilt brat at times i feel... she does have moments of this!
Currently ridden in a hanging cheek jointed snaffle with flash noseband (expert at crossing her jaw)!She is a spooky mare so bit needs to be sure to encourage her head down a bit .. so i can try and keep her calm at times.
I am hoping to go and do some local xc soon.. but need this under control!
Any advice what can I try?
 
try a waterford? these are brill for horses that lean and perhaps try a grackle to prevent the jaw from crossing but make sure it is fitted correctly ! if not just try everything you can get your hands on as sometimes horses do the oppsite if what it says on paper and in theory!!
 
Try different bits. Maybe a pelham with roundings would sit her.

I'm looking after a horse at the moments, and when I rode him yesterday (1st time) he was totally dead to the rein, and after 10 mins trying to school him, my right arm was in agony. He locks out to the right, and pulls down as you describe. Out of interest, we popped him into a pelham, with roundings and a leather curb - done as loose as poossible, and he is a different horse! Soft, no more running out through the shoulder, and I was able to ride on a loose rein, which was impossible in his snaffle!

Maybe she doesn't like the single joint, or the feel of the metal bit, so have a change about to see if there is something she prefers.
 
thanks guys.. yes a waterford is certainly a good suggestion may see if anyone has one I could borrow.
Pelham also was on the list , she has a biggish fleshy mouth so always seemd a bit happier with a jointed bit. I know what you mean about dead arms, i do my very best to hold firm and sit my ass down but she a big lump when she wants to be and tips me forward.
amymay - im sorry not sure what you mean by when she is on the upside but if you mean in front then now she only does this if she is behind or feels she will get left behind!
 
amymay - im sorry not sure what you mean by when she is on the upside but if you mean in front then no she only does this if she is behind or feels she will get left behind!
Click to expand...

Upsides means besides - so cantering next to another.

From what you've described I wouldn't change the bit, just work on her going the way you want her to.

So, don't follow directly behind another horse, set yourself off to the side or directly side by side, instead. Sometimes go in front, sometimes go behind.
 
I'd stick with amymays idea, if she tries to tank off just circle, in trot if needs be & ask for a steady canter on the circle when calm & continue. Waterford might help in the meantime if necessary. The other thing is have you tried without a flash? Lots of horses fight them, & if they cross the jaw a grakle is more use.
 
thanks everyone sorry for being thick amymay! I get what you are asking. I do plenty of upfront aswell mix it up , not always practical to go side by side due to most of our canter tracks / lanes being only wide enough for single file. Plus my hacking companion is an ex racer..... he gets rather excited if he feels we are flying past.. will try if room and can do tho.
Ive tried with flash off... nightmare. I catch sight of her shadow on the florr... gob wide open and crossed!
 
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