bits/nosebands

[milobud]

have a 17.hh 7/8 thoroughbread , he crosses his jaw and tried him with a grackle noseband and is fine hacking out but in company he fights it and throws in huge bucks ...have also tried a flash but he hates his mouth being shut . we ride in a snaffle as he has such a soft mouth but when he is fighting he ends up with a swollen sore mouth ...any ideas ??

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I think he has a sensitive mouth, so you may need to lighten up, and use your body , ask a really experienced instructor to help you.
Also an EDT to look at mouth.
Remove restrictive nose-bands, I have never ever needed one for flatwork/hacking [1000 horses]
Plenty of hacking on a loose rein, get him used to you riding single handed when hacking, relax.
When schooling, consider your reins are threads of cotton.
Hacking in company keep his hind feet out of the way but keep reins relaxed. Use your body and look where you are going to. Keep legs on standby on his sides but keep your hands/reins on crest of mane.
Give with your hands never try to fight a horse, man v horse= horse 1 man 0
all the orse I have ridden,not one has had a swollen mouth, and I am not a good rider............

 

[TPO]

Has he been seen by a qualified and registered EDT?

Has your vet checked him over and do you use any type if therapist? When was his saddle fit last checked? Has he changed weight/condition/had any injuries or lameness?

Personally I'd be looking to find out the "why" and then work to resolve that rather than trying to stop the "signs". There will be a reason why he's behaving this way and there's no point in trying to guess over the internet having never seen the horse or you riding. Is there anyone experienced around you in RL or an instructor that you could ask?

How well schooled/trained/fit is he? Does he fully understand what he's being asked and is he capable of answering? How old is he?

 

[TPO]

Also how long have you had him and is this a new behaviour?

Any other changes?

 

[milobud]

yes he has been seen by EDT , his saddle fits perfectly , no change to condition and he is very fit trained and schooled . he is 12 years old , he was ridden in company on Sunday minus the Grackle and no bucking still hauls on his bit . we are getting him checked over on July1st for any back problems . we are thinking of trying a Micklem bridle to see if that helps .

 

[milobud]

Wehave had him since he was 4 years old , the bucking is all new , the mouth problem is not , he definately cannot stand his mouth shut , tolerates it at home but really fighting in company

 

[TPO]

That sounds like a plan. Any changes, especially as extreme as bucking, would concern me. Good luck for the 1st and hope you get some answers.