bit/bitless/ gadget?? What to do??

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delaneys

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I have a lovely TB gelding, who has the most horrid habit of head shaking to evade the contact, he also does a lovely giraffe impression, we can do long and low when we have no contact with the mouth and he is being pushed into it by leg aids only. He evades the contact by being a giraffe, head shaking or doing a kind of sideways curled to the left rollkur type pose, to get him out of this I drop the contact and push him forwards with my legs.. he is baffling me and if anyone could offer anything to try I'd be so greatful,

He is ridden in a micklem bridle and a KK D- ring snaffle, he will not go in anything with a link.

I have an equi ami lunge aid and riding aid, is it time to use these?

The overall goal with him is low level RC fun. Also need to say teeth back and tack fit is spot on :)
 
Sadly lunging is very difficult at my yard, which leaves me with another dilemma about moving yards, whatever will help my horse progress I guess!
 
Parkerpops said:
I have a lovely TB gelding, who has the most horrid habit of head shaking to evade the contact, he also does a lovely giraffe impression, we can do long and low when we have no contact with the mouth and he is being pushed into it by leg aids only. He evades the contact by being a giraffe, head shaking or doing a kind of sideways curled to the left rollkur type pose, to get him out of this I drop the contact and push him forwards with my legs.. he is baffling me and if anyone could offer anything to try I'd be so greatful,

He is ridden in a micklem bridle and a KK D- ring snaffle, he will not go in anything with a link.

I have an equi ami lunge aid and riding aid, is it time to use these?

The overall goal with him is low level RC fun. Also need to say teeth back and tack fit is spot on :)
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As the micklem bridle can be used as a bitless I would definitely say it is worth trying bitless. My ex racer would evade the bit by head shaking and giraffe impressions - she was much happier bitless and much easier to school, we also had no control problems out hacking.
 
My mare was the same. It's taken 2 years of time and perseverance and we are now out and getting reasonable dressage marks. We now only curl to the side when very stressed.
 
Are you sure it's not the head hugging Micklem that he is shaking to avoid?
I would try a different bridle, maybe without a noseband too, keep it as stripped back and minimum as possible.
 
How the chuff would lunging help this issue?!

Firstly teeth need checking by a qualified EDT or equine specialist vet.

Then you need to retrain the horse to the bit - starting with stationary flexions, then in hand work, little and often.

Given the time of year I wouldnt expect this o be grass related but if it gets worse in spring you should check out this website - has saved several horses I know.
http://www.calmhealthyhorses.com/neuro/head_flick.html
 
Thanks everyone, his teeth are up to date, tbh the micklem is the bridle he goes best in, every other bridle/noseband combination had been tried!
 
PRobably because it spreads the pressure of the bit, similar to the myler combination bit which is what my mare goes best in who is also a head shaker, or was.
 
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