Bit help!!

Damnation

Damnation

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My mare has been leaning now for a few months and it is driving me nuts! I have tried lots of schooling exercises, riding her on the buckle etc (via the advice of an instructor), but when I ask her to round up and accept the contact she just leans! Now I had her in a french link full cheek, someone said some horses lean on the french link so I have put her into a normal single jointed full cheek. This seems to have made the leaning even worse.
Now what can I do? She is infront of my leg and very responsive to my aids, I just can't get her off my hands! Its becoming an ongoing battle to try and canter her and have some form of breaks without using the wall..
Instructor has recommended a waterford mouthpiece with full cheeks but they look evil! How harsh are they? I have been told that they can help stop leaning because its just a series of links and the horse doesn't have anything to lean against. Is this true?

Any help appriciated!
Izzi xx
 
My horse is in a waterford universal for jumping, he doesnt lean on it at. He has got very little room in his mouth which i was told can be a probem with normal waterfords, but his is a NS. His mouth is quite easily spilt by strong bits, but this hasnt so far split it at all. So not as nasty as they look.
I think some horse can still lean on a waterford though.
Worth trying if you can borrow one though.
 
yes, that's true, BUT they aren't dressage legal and there's a reason for that... the horse can't take a true and consistent contact, which you really need for flatwork. they're great for jumping, and for a short-term lesson in not leaning on the hands, though - they're not evil, all the parts are rounded and comfy, a lot of horses like them.
the fact is that you have to show the horse how much contact is acceptable to you. lots of people say more leg to engage them and lighten the forehand, but if they're leaning heavily a lot of horses will just keep leaning and go forward more strongly on the forehand... not what you want, and doesn't lead to self-carriage.
why not try a very slow soft trot, using almost no leg, and keep softening both hands (or just one, perhaps alternate hands, if she scoots off) for a second every time she tries to lean. you might need to do it a few hundred times if she doesn't get the message fast, but as long as you are consistent, she will learn. you need to establish in your mind how much is acceptable - for example, i like about 10-12oz weight in each rein, not really any more (just weighed something in the kitchen to find out how much it was!), and i give the reins the moment it becomes heavier.
you can teach her not to lean, but the only way is with your hands really, not with a bit. they can still run against a waterford if rude and untrained!
lots of half-halts, lots of transitions, should also help a lot.
very best of luck, hope that all makes sense.
 
Yes I will borrow one but I just wanted to make sure that they aren't evil! Changing the bit was a last resort for me but unfortunately I am beginning to just have no breaks!
 
Kerilli - I have tried half halting and transitions to try and get her of my hands but she just gets really good of my leg and leans even more! And If I half halt when she leans her head just goes lower
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I will try again and see if with a jointed snaffle and not a french link, she will respond in the way I want her to so I will definately give it another go!
 
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