Bitting advice

[Mary Bee]

Hi. I am looking for some bitting advice please.
My very experienced and strong 15 year old daughter loans a 15.3 Irish Sports. Also 15 years...the horse. A lovely, sweet, quirky, sensitive chap, easily spooked, his history is a bit unknown. Current owner has had him 3-4 years and didn't do so much with him, he was too much for her.
My daughter adores him but....
Out on fun rides, in a group etc, she has no brakes with him.
Currently in a grackle, martingale, rubber pellam. He throws his head up a lot and runs.

He loves his show jumping too, but again just runs, is fairly unstoppable.

We would be grateful for any suggestions of what to try next. Thanks very much.

 

[vhf]

Hi, Ideally, you want to get a bit consultant in, or at the very least, have a really good look at his mouth. For example, rubber pelhams can be really fat. If the horse doesn't have a lot of room for a bit, then it isn't the comfortable option that people think it aught to be. To me, throwing the head up suggests an uncomfortable mouth (though who wouldn't be uncomfortable if someone was using your mouth to stop you being a tank!)
If you can tell what is going on in the mouth - low palate, narrow bars, fleshy tongue, and so on, it helps you work out which bit will actually be comfortable, then you have a greater chance of the horse accepting the instructions before it becomes a battle.
After that there's a fair chance you/she need to spend time schooling (reschooling) to get a horse that politely accepts the instructions without fighting, even when they are keen.
A lot of strong horses do better with a bit that combines with nose pressure, but you'll still have to be sure the mouthpiece is the right one.

 

[Jambarissa]

Assuming you've excluded teeth issues, back pain, riding technique, etc.

Agree with a bitting consultant if possible, there are so many factors. Otherwise it'll be trial and error. Change one thing at a time so keep the grackle and try changing the mouthpiece, initially a metal one ( which will be thinner so theoretically harsher) probably with a lozenge since that suits a lot of horses but a port would suit a larger tounge.

If he seems comfortable in that but breaks don't improve I'd suggest something with a short shank for poll pressure or a multi ring gag for lots of options.

Lots of schooling out on hacks to insist he listens and learn an emergency stop technique, one rein stop for me - this needs to be taught and needs to happen before he takes off.

Is he motivated by food? I had a lot of success on a friend's tank by combining clicker training with the aid to stop, it's not like she didn't know but it kept her concentration on me when life got exciting.

 

[dorsetladette]

As above a bit consultant would be my first port of call. Assuming all physical checks are done.

It won't be a quick fix but sounds like your daughter needs to do lots of schooling to soften him. Lots of transitions so he gets an understanding of gear changes and has to listen to his rider.

I'd be tempted to go right back to basics in an enclosed environment, so basic snaffle, no martingale and remove or dramatically loosen the grackle nose band, but have a professional either ride for you or be on the ground for advice. It won't be a quick fix but will be rewarding when done

In the meantime if your daughter is riding in company - does she understand the concept of a one rein stop? she needs to be able to safely stop him in an emergency.