reindeerlover
Well-Known Member
Ok... I have been wanting to ask for some time but seeing as there are lots of folk on here with good bit knowledge I may as well go ahead.
I have a 16.1 ISH gelding. I am 5' 3 (and a half)", I am not strong and like to think that I have light hands. I play polocrosse on him in addition to many other things. I don't jump him often and he gets excited so I use a continental gag (3 not 4 rings) but I only need to use it lightly so that he remembers his manners. When he was in regular jumping work he was in a snaffle. Now the issue is when I play polocrosse he gets very excited when there is a short gallop (not when it's in a controlled way along with the other horses or stopping and turning) more just if I have to get to somewhere very quick. Then he gallops and when I ask for a slow down or a stop he just pulls his head down and carries on.
When I am schooling there are no problems, I let him feel my leg, shift my weight back and he has usually stopped before I touch his mouth but in a game it's different, he's excited and bouncy and dancey. This is fine as he then is able to walk all over his opponents (not literally...often) but he can't if he's got his head on the floor and is galopping towards the ocean.
I can ask polocrosse gurus for their advice but I thought I'd ask some "normal" horse folks if they have any suggestions first. I can't use two reins and bits with a long shanks are not allowed (eg 4 ring gag not allowed- 3 ring is).
Any help would be very welcome and I'd prefer no slanging matches but if you want to fair enough (But I will be doling out slappings).
I have a 16.1 ISH gelding. I am 5' 3 (and a half)", I am not strong and like to think that I have light hands. I play polocrosse on him in addition to many other things. I don't jump him often and he gets excited so I use a continental gag (3 not 4 rings) but I only need to use it lightly so that he remembers his manners. When he was in regular jumping work he was in a snaffle. Now the issue is when I play polocrosse he gets very excited when there is a short gallop (not when it's in a controlled way along with the other horses or stopping and turning) more just if I have to get to somewhere very quick. Then he gallops and when I ask for a slow down or a stop he just pulls his head down and carries on.
When I am schooling there are no problems, I let him feel my leg, shift my weight back and he has usually stopped before I touch his mouth but in a game it's different, he's excited and bouncy and dancey. This is fine as he then is able to walk all over his opponents (not literally...often) but he can't if he's got his head on the floor and is galopping towards the ocean.
I can ask polocrosse gurus for their advice but I thought I'd ask some "normal" horse folks if they have any suggestions first. I can't use two reins and bits with a long shanks are not allowed (eg 4 ring gag not allowed- 3 ring is).
Any help would be very welcome and I'd prefer no slanging matches but if you want to fair enough (But I will be doling out slappings).
