Bit or exercises for heavy leaning horse?

Hoof_Prints

Hoof_Prints

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My horse can be tricky to school, he prefers his head up, nose out, and no contact, just steering! He is schooled in a loose ring lozenge snaffle (probably easy to lean on) . I can ride him comfortable with no contact just turning and he is balanced, but as soon as contact is taken he just will not yield from the bit, he leans down in to it and goes on the forehand. I circle, serpentine, do alternate flexions and transitions but nothing works ! I drop the reins and he doesn't bother. I have schooled so many horses and not had this problem, they always learn to yield from the bit and move nicely off the forehand, the horse had a break and has been schooled for a good 5 months with little change apart from balance and holding paces better... any tips welcome ! Ran out of options from what I use with my others, and my arms are aching...

also recently been checked by vet and no issues, saddle fits perfectly, teeth all good. Frustrating !

Thanks
 
It really sounds as if he doesn't like the particular bit that you are using, or maybe that your hands are too heavy/contact is too strong. If he is balanced when you ride with no contact, I would try a variety of bits in different sizes/shapes/materials to see if he likes anything else. TBH I didn't really understand what is happening, as if he is balanced when you ride from your seat, that is surely what you are looking for, you say you can steer, so there must be a light contact when he goes well.
 
Well he is balanced in his paces, but goes round a bit like a camel, balanced in the sense that he has his nose out and is flat but holds himself up and doesn't fall out of the paces or struggle on a circle, transitions come easily. I ride very lightly but when he leans it doesn't matter if I have feather light hands, he leans in to make it heavy and the only way to lighten is to give the reins entirely, returning to camel mode ( if that makes sense). Just looking to get him on the contact, rounder and lifting the back so I can move on to lateral movements etc and improve the paces. Thanks for the reply, I usually find it pretty easy to get a horse listening and cooperating but he prefers his head up and jumping rather than working on the flat! That is boring and he feels lazy, he's the opposite when jumping and goes like a rocket, he just doesn't enjoy flatwork but I don't want to jump him without correct flatwork in place.
 
How about raised trotting poles so he has to drop his nose a little? The poles may also keep his interest.
 
You need to make taking the contact and becoming softer in the hand the easier option for him, if he is older, rather than a youngster, which I guess he is, then really encourage him to step under and take more weight behind as you pick up the contact, it will often mean they go through a leaning stage but with persistence from you he should start to understand that he doesn't need to balance on your hands, when he is going around on a loose rein with his head up he may seem balanced but he will not be using his core, lifting his back or genuinely working from behind so this is not helping you get anywhere long term.

Lots of transitions, every few strides to get him in front of the leg and engage the hind leg, leg yielding in both flexions, spirals, pole work will all help engage him more physically and mentally, don't let him drift anywhere on his own terms, when warming up, cooling down, doing long rein work he needs to stretch down not go around like a camel, the more you insist on him carrying himself the easier it should be for you both.
A change of bit may help, I sometimes find just changing it lifts them a little even if it needs changing again a week or so later, I have numerous different snaffles and am happy to swap about until a horse is settled and soft in one but normally it is just because they have got through to the next stage of their training rather than the bit that makes a huge difference.
 
Awesome suggestions above, mine would also be to put that leg on as much as you can. We want abundant energy so he doesn't sag onto your hands, I would also bring my hands up higher when he especially leans.
 
Brilliant advice in the replies, thank you. I was schooling today and trying to push through the leaning but it just wasn't happening as the head was down and half halts just resulting in head waggling is he pushed in to those too! He will jump very fast but he has a lazy streak and on the flat it really comes through. Yes, that's why I want to get him listening, he can leg yield, shoulder in, rein back , but while he's pushing his weight down in to any kind of contact then I can't get him together and its a battle. I'll try pole exercises and switch the bit, is there any bit that my help? I seem to have lost most of my bits so I could go shopping for some new ones. Such a horrible feeling to have a lump in your hands that pushes against what you ask !
 
Hoof_Prints said:
Well he is balanced in his paces, but goes round a bit like a camel, balanced in the sense that he has his nose out and is flat but holds himself up and doesn't fall out of the paces or struggle on a circle, transitions come easily. I ride very lightly but when he leans it doesn't matter if I have feather light hands, he leans in to make it heavy and the only way to lighten is to give the reins entirely, returning to camel mode ( if that makes sense). Just looking to get him on the contact, rounder and lifting the back so I can move on to lateral movements etc and improve the paces. Thanks for the reply, I usually find it pretty easy to get a horse listening and cooperating but he prefers his head up and jumping rather than working on the flat! That is boring and he feels lazy, he's the opposite when jumping and goes like a rocket, he just doesn't enjoy flatwork but I don't want to jump him without correct flatwork in place.
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Ah, I understand now! I still think that he doesn't like the bit for some reason - probably that it is uncomfortable in some way. I would check the fit very carefully and if that is not the problem, change the material that it is made from. If that doesn't make a difference, I would look for a different style of bit. I don't particularly like single jointed bits but maybe your horse does - or maybe he would be cimfortable in a mullen-mouthed bit. I have found that horses that lean in a jointed bit, often do go better in a mullen-mouthed bit, especially if you can find a thinnish one.
 
Just updating that I tried schooling in the normal bit, the one I think looks nice and comfy, he was being a pain. So dug out the Eggbutt single jointed thin bit, the one I hate as it looks horrid! He went like a dream, no leaning at all . I have a few more to try including a shaped rubber mullen mouth so I'll see what he prefers. Wish I'd changed it months ago!
 
Thanks for the update.
It does sound as if you might have solved the problem but definitely worth trying a few other bits, to see which he prefers. I would just say be careful with the rubber bit, as they are often quite thick mouthpieces which horses which lean tend not to be comfortable in.
One of the most successful bits I have used with 3 horses with thick tongue/low pallet mouth confo has been the PeeWee bit which looks like an instrument of torture to some people, so you really do have to 'ask the horse'.:D
 
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