Bit advice

[Wheresthehoofpick]

New horse. She is 11
I've had her two months. I ride her in a NS KK. Just what I had from my previous horse.

Previously she has hunted and she prefers to go along in head high pose. I am Trying to get her to soften, lift her back etc.

She is not strong - comes back beautifully out hacking.

Chiro and saddle fitter have been out and she can now move more freely. She is already changing shape.
My issue is that when I try to get her to soften into a contact. She really resists and leans on my hands. I am weak from an accident on my right side. I am really struggling as she can keep the argument going for longer than me ? My instructor says we are doing it right I've just got to persist. To get her really moving forward, Half halts when she leans on me etc. When my mare softens it's a delight and she just feels and moves so much better.

I am not a great one for changing bits. I know nothing about it but I feel like there could be something different that is worth a try but what???
The bit fitter I use is busy for a while.

My instructor has suggested a more playful bit... I am going to pursue this with her but I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks

 

[mariew]

Tbh it sounds more like a schooling issue than a bit conandrum, but I have never agreed with hauling on their mouths until they give into the contact. I find eventually if you work everything else out the head follows, but I am certainly no expert, so hopefully other more accomplished riders have better advice.

 

[milliepops]

I would not expect to completely change the habits or way of going of a horse in a couple of months tbh,if she is settled in the mouth in your bit then as above i think personally i'd see this as a schooling issue, and something that probably needs more time and practice to improve.

I think there is a place for fiddling around with bits for very sensitive or unusual horses but on the whole the bit isn't the thing that makes the difference in terms of strength and understanding.

For a horse that leans, don't forget they can only lean if you let them. i think very often we are taught to take and release with a half halt, but if you've found yourself in a battle, sometimes you can break that cycle in the moment if you give and then take - it might help to reset the conversation a little, on both sides.

Yes, to a point if you get the balance and engine right then the front end improves, but ultimately i believe you do need to use the contact to teach the horse about the contact it might just take a bit longer particularly if her established way of going is somewhat opposite to what you're trying to achieve.

 

[Sprat]

I would not expect to completely change the habits or way of going of a horse in a couple of months tbh,if she is settled in the mouth in your bit then as above i think personally i'd see this as a schooling issue, and something that probably needs more time and practice to improve.

I think there is a place for fiddling around with bits for very sensitive or unusual horses but on the whole the bit isn't the thing that makes the difference in terms of strength and understanding.

For a horse that leans, don't forget they can only lean if you let them. i think very often we are taught to take and release with a half halt, but if you've found yourself in a battle, sometimes you can break that cycle in the moment if you give and then take - it might help to reset the conversation a little, on both sides.

Yes, to a point if you get the balance and engine right then the front end improves, but ultimately i believe you do need to use the contact to teach the horse about the contact it might just take a bit longer particularly if her established way of going is somewhat opposite to what you're trying to achieve.

This ^^ in spades. My mare is one that will quite happily lean on you if you let her. I spent an age pissing about with different bits, and bit fitters (which don't get me wrong, have a place and are worthwhile) but actually what needed to change was me and they way I ride. Now I'm not saying that is true in your case, but you say you have only had your horse for a short period of time. It takes time to re-school and to re-train those muscles needed in order for the horse to accept a soft contact and not lean. As MP said, don't give her something to lean on and she'll soon start to get the picture. Keep mixing things up with hacking, jumping / polework and groundwork, it will soon come.

It has honestly taken me YEARS to come to this conclusion, and it's such a lightbulb when it finally clicks. Back to front, into an elastic contact. I had to be really critical of myself, and continue to be so. If the contact gets grim, I ALWAYS look to what I am doing first (usually, leaning right back at her!).

 

[Cob Life]

I would not expect to completely change the habits or way of going of a horse in a couple of months tbh,if she is settled in the mouth in your bit then as above i think personally i'd see this as a schooling issue, and something that probably needs more time and practice to improve.

I think there is a place for fiddling around with bits for very sensitive or unusual horses but on the whole the bit isn't the thing that makes the difference in terms of strength and understanding.

For a horse that leans, don't forget they can only lean if you let them. i think very often we are taught to take and release with a half halt, but if you've found yourself in a battle, sometimes you can break that cycle in the moment if you give and then take - it might help to reset the conversation a little, on both sides.

Yes, to a point if you get the balance and engine right then the front end improves, but ultimately i believe you do need to use the contact to teach the horse about the contact it might just take a bit longer particularly if her established way of going is somewhat opposite to what you're trying to achieve.

Agree with this 100%

I did have to fiddle with bits with my boy a little as he was very hesitant to take a contact (fair enough has he had had his mouth pulled on wearing a Pelham with only the bottom reins attached by a different rider). But at this point he will perform very similarly in a single jointed, Mullen mouth, french link and Waterford, there is a very slight difference with a slightly ported snaffle purely because he has a big tongue and likes the extra room.

It does take a lot of time and patience and things like leg yields, transitions (I set myself goals like 3 transitions each long side etc) and transitions within the gait to really engage the hind end will help massively