Biting Advice Ex Racehorse

astewart13

astewart13

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About a year ago, I bought an ex racer who had only ever been flat raced. To brake, all I need to do is let go of the contact and she will slow down to a stop, assuming work is over for the day. Any attempt to brake by pulling of the reins results in snatching at the bit, leaning and sticking her nose out. We have jumped and cross countried successfully with this method of braking as she does seem to be able to figure out on her on to steady herself for the jumps so I never feel she is taking off out of countrol. But for dressage, the head goes up like a giraffe and steering and style become an issue. Someone has suggested a hanging cheek to help her ride more rounded and prevent her sticking her nose out? any ideas?
 
I ride my exracer in a hanging cheek for exactly those reasons - he has improved tons over the last six months, going from a giraffe at intro to scoring 66+ at novice. He goes very well in it :) personally I also use a Waterford full cheek for jumping as stops him leaning and tanking with me.
 
On a slightly different note re bitting try and match the metal you use on your current bit with a new one just because I tried my mare in identical bits however one made by neue schule and one made by sprenger. She HATED the neue schule and head shook, however went as sweetly as anything in the sprenger. Found out it was two different types of metal :). Just a warning if your mare is as fussy as mine - she's an ex flat racer also :).
 
astewart13 said:
Thanks for the reply! This has given me hope! Do you ride in a french link hanging cheek or a single joint?
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I started out single joint, but found him much happier in a French link. I now actually have him in a copper lozenge which is the happiest he's been. I am considering trying a neue schule at some point, as I think he likes the softer metals.
 
I went to a myler comfort snaffle and that helped a lot too, they all seem to know what they like - just a question of finding it!
 
My instructor, who retrains a lot of exracers, told me that a lot of exracers like (at least to start with) a bit that is very stable in the mouth, as this is what they will have been used to. Most go better in a eggbutt/fullcheek/hanging cheek than a loose ring, at least to start. The hanging cheek is pretty popular due to it helping guide the horses head down through the action of the cheekpieces lifting and relieving the tongue when a contact is taken, but obviously it varies with personal horse preference, as does the mouthpiece.
 
I rode my ex-racer in a hanging cheek once. Most terrifying ride ever as I had nothing, even the lightest touch on the reins and he was bouncing about, he really hated it.

The two bits that he liked were a loose ring French link snaffle with a lozenge (bought second hand as a cheapy to try before investing in a post KK style one, but actually was so good on him I kept it) or a Myler comfort snaffle. Not sure if that helps!
 
Mine changes her opinion on bits quite regularly but that is not unusual in young horses, ex racer or otherwise. She is currently in a loose ring with a fat lozenge. The real difference for me was I started using a Micklem - completely transformed her, and she became much more accepting of the contact. well worth getting one on trial
 
Bits I've recently found one of mine likes include the verbindend & the bomber comfort snaffled (although that's not dressage legal it's a useful bit for jumping)

Prior to those (he's a particularly fussy person) I've generally used a full cheek french link or a loose ring french link with good success,

And as with all racehorses, teaching them to use their hocks, and become better balanced as they work is essential so they can learn to work correctly
 
Mine was used to a loose ring stainless steel snaffle or full cheek snaffle when he came out the race yard as that is what they used.
He had serious issues with opening his mouth when being ridden although he was ridden in a grackle / flash noseband...

First port of call had his teeth checked, Then I tried the Neue Schule 'Team Up' bit and the 'Verbindend' which worked wonders! He never opened his mouth again! Amazing bits!
Personally think that stainless steel single joints are quite harsh in shape / cold material used takes a while to warm up. Revolution in bit design!
 
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