Bit advice please

[TicTac]

I,ve owned my 16.1 dutch warmblood mare for nearly 4 years now and still haven't quite found the ' key' to her mouth yet. She had a kissing spine operation last year in which 4 pieces of bone were removed, and since her operation she definitely has been much much better to ride and will happily stretch down now and work over her back.

However I am struggling to find a bit that suits her and here is the main problem. By nature she is not a forward going horse so you have to make sure she goes forward properly before you can get anywhere with her and there is no doubt that she has and will always have a degree of stiffness but I have found the best way to warm her up and get some sort of softness is lots and lots of lateral work. Mainly at the walk to start with. I do it both in hand and under saddle.

Currently I am riding her in a sweet iron jointed, D ring snaffle. She likes the sweet iron. I have also tried her in a happy mouth straight bar loose ring snaffle and a KK ultra. The main problem I have is that she can ' lock ' her jaw and set her neck so that it becomes a rod of iron and when that happens I have no control. This happens mainly out hacking.

In the manege I am usually able to ' unlock' her by asking for flexion each way but believe me, sometimes she just wont give and it can become quite an effort to get some softness and it doesn't always feel 'true'

I can honestly say that this mare has no physical issues that I am aware of re saddle or back or teeth as she is checked regularly but she may obviously have limitations having spent most of her adult life with back pain.

Maybe the bit is not the issue but I need to work more on excercises to obtain softness? Her trot work is improving but the canter can be hit and miss. ie sometimes soft and round, other times strong and sometimes snatchy. I am a very experienced rider of average ability ( unfortunately not one of the Charlotte Dujardin's of this world) and will have regular lessons on her again in the spring. If any body could throw a few suggestions my way I would be very greatfull.

 

[Brambridge04]

The VERY first thing that popped into my head when you said "unlock her mouth" and "sometimes she gives, sometimes she doesnt" IS THIS, 1. mouth being unlocked isnt from mouth its working correctly from behind, but more importantly, if she had an operation last year, and there is come degree of stiffness, could it be that some days, she is stiffer than others and actually cant!

Ofter an operation myself, i know some days i struggle more than others, normally the colder it is or windier it is, as i hunch over....

Edited to add, to help her canter work i would only canter straight line... until the canter is consistent on the straight.

 

[BlackRider]

Have you tried a loose ring french link snaffle?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

For hacking, I'd recommend a PeeWee bit. She will like the sweet iron, the side pieces will help to reinforce your lateral aids. I've used one with a Clydie who could set her neck and go, as if I wasn't there. She couldn't do it in the PeeWee bit.

 

[TicTac]

The VERY first thing that popped into my head when you said "unlock her mouth" and "sometimes she gives, sometimes she doesnt" IS THIS, 1. mouth being unlocked isnt from mouth its working correctly from behind, but more importantly, if she had an operation last year, and there is come degree of stiffness, could it be that some days, she is stiffer than others and actually cant!

Ofter an operation myself, i know some days i struggle more than others, normally the colder it is or windier it is, as i hunch over....

Edited to add, to help her canter work i would only canter straight line... until the canter is consistent on the straight.

I do believe your observations are correct Brambridge04. I always said I would be happy with what ever the horse offered me and DO accept that she has limitations, However sometimes I also believe that it is a battle of wills between us and when she spots something and locks onto it, thats when I have most of the problems.

I find it hard to be consistent, riding and schooling wise during the winter months, due to work, lack of daylight hours, weather and lights on manege so expect too much really I guess. I'm going to work more on the suppling excercises and forwardness and try her in the kk ultra again for a while and try out a pee wee bit for hacking.

Thanks guys