bitting ideas and more please

[__Annie__]

if my mare is in one of her moods she naps

i ride her in a french link eggbut snaffle but tbh i feel i lack steering and brakes if she has one of her moments. she either puts her head up and opens her mouth or goes backwards or lifts her forelegs off the ground(not a real rear, i hope !). i kit myself out with hard hat and body protector to maximise my confidence

seriously though i am confident to attempt sorting these problems but need a little help from my friends* YOU!*for ideas to approach them and any miracle items of tack/bits that'll help me achieve good results. any constructive advice totally welcome. thankies.

ets i have tried her in a flash , i persevered for 3 weeks, but she really hated her mouth being shut and napped even more

 

[comicduo]

Pelham? or a French link Dutch Gag?
Have you had her teeth checked recently as this could be the problem with the flash and with her being diffcult. If she is opening her mouth and crossing her jaw most bits will be ineffective, if there are no tooth problems you might consider a Waterford Snaffle but these are very severe in inexperanced hands.

 

[vhf]

Assuming teeth, back, neck etc. all OK, you could experiment with full and D cheeks to help with the steering?
Also might be worth trying a waterford, or a copper roller. Both have excellent results with some horses, and are useless with others, like most things in life it's a case of educated trial and error.
I know a similar case who solved it with a quite thin, simple eggbutt snaffle after trying all kinds of bits, gadgets and tactics. they're not entirely sure why it worked but it did!
Possibly consider a martingale?
Is there anyone who can watch and give you an objective view on exactly what's going on between the two of you?

 

[__Annie__]

Thanks

her teeth were last checked / rasped by her vet last year, in november, and she has her next app. with equine dentist in july.

So if she is crossing her jaw i take it a flash is the only way to correct it? or could a grakle help or another type of noseband? or am i talking out of my bum

TBH she is brilliant most of the time and i literally only have to crook my finger to gain a response but and a big but ! when she is in a stubborn mood she is a right *?* !

I've read somewhere that pelhams lower the head and snaffles raise the head ? please correct me if i am wrong.

regarding pelhams, there are so many too choose from

for instance would a french link rugby pelham be worth a try? And does anyone know how a rugby pelham is different to an ordinary pelham?

It's driving me

just thinking about it!

If i went for a pelham do i have to use double reins, hope not as i wouldn't know where to start

, or is it OK for me to use roundings?

sorry for all my ??? , i really appreciate replies

 

[__Annie__]

there was a ? regarding her back but thankfully a different farrier trimmed and shod her in a different way and the problem was resolved immediately . i was a very happy bunny!

i really like the sound of full cheeks or d cheeks thanks

i'll add that to my list. makes sense.

I have no knowledge of a waterford or copper roller so i'll look them up. same goes for martingales, i know there are standing and running and thats all i know

i'm also embarassed to admit i have not had a lesson for a long time. i don't know why i've put in off but really think i should make the effort to source a good instructor.

thanks for your help
A

 

[vhf]

Definitely, definitely, get someone to watch you.
Don't automatically assume they are right, but do choose someone who's known to talk sense. Dont go putting more severe bits/nosebands onto a normally "good" horse until you've ruled out other options with a decent trainer.
In the meantime, do lots of reading up on bits and martingales, and use local competitions to watch what other people are using - well or otherwise!
If someone impresses you - not with how well they stay on during theatric displays, but in how well they're going, why not ask them about their tack if they look friendly!

 

[__Annie__]

what a lovely reply

Thank You
Don't worry, I'm not going to strap her down with lots of gadgets, she is usually a good girl

I really take on board your suggestions though and I'm going to wait until she sees the ED before making any bit changes. I hope teh ED can give me an in depth talk regarding her mouth shape, palate, dentition and tongue! I really have not got a clue whether her mouth is big(i suspect it is !) and roomy or short of space and the same with her tongue. if nothing else I hope to discover whether a thin or thick bit would best suit her and maybe a mullen over jointed. All very interesting.

I'm going to spectate at some shows and watch and as you say if someone looks chilled out and friendly I will ask questions , maybe if I find a good, happy partnership they'll lead me to a good trainer.

Thanks again for the sound ideas

 

[vhf]

Good luck!