Bitting ideas??

starbar

starbar

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 April 2010
Messages
505
Visit site
My horse has started leaning on the bit and carrying his head very low. He does it more towards the end of hacks/schooling sessions when he is a bit tired. However, when we went for a canter today even my friend commented that he was carrying his head very low. I really try and drive him forward with my seat, keep a good contact and keep my legs on to bring him off his forehand and make him work more from behind. I don't hang onto his mouth when I ride so I know its not a reaction to that.
At the moment he is ridden in a fulmer snaffle, it has loose rings rather than fixed. I have no breaking or stearing problems and I don't want to 'over bit' him.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what I could try to just help me just lift him in front and lighten a bit.
Thanks in advance :)
 
A waterford snaffle is meant to deter a horse from leaning on the bit. My fjord is very bad for leaning, I put him into a waterford but he wasn't happy in it so I changed back to a curved french-link and just have to deal with the leaning myself. I find that if I gave the bit a niggle in his mouth, and voice "stop leaning!" he gets the idea and perks up a bit.
 
First of all I would recommend lots of half halts, with regard to bits, you don't mention whether it's a single jointed or french link he's in, basically the more links the more unlikely they are to lean, if he's in a single jointed I'd move to a french link, if you're already in a french link then look towards the waterford, but use the half halts to get him more underneath himself and lift his frame, therefore not coming so low, and allow lots of rest and stretch time throughout a session so he knows when he is allowed to take the contact forwards and down.
 
The waterford is a very severe mouthpiece which is why horses don't lean on it. It creates very concentrated areas of pressure and if your horse does not have problems with steering or brakes then I wouldn't recommend one. What is wrong with your horse working long and low, especially if he's tired and you have no problems with control? Let him stretch his muscles if he wants to. :)
 
Another one against waterfords, very severe bits- imagine having a chain in your mouth, not nice.
If he's doing it at the end then it could be that he's saying he needs to strech because he's been working hard. Some horses give us little hints like this, but don't all of a sudden collapse when he starts getting tried make him work a tiny bit more and get a good moment to finish on.
If your still finding problems then I would recommend a french link, it gives them a little less to lean on and because you don't have any control issues theres no need for him to have such a severe bit in :)
 
Thanks for the suggestions. :) I won't be going down the waterford route as I agree it is far too harsh for what I need. :rolleyes:
I have no problems with working long and low at all, however, this is different to leaning on my hands and I want him to lighten in front. Really pushing him forwards to get his backside working is helping but not quite getting there.
And if he is tired, I do let him stretch and relax....I don't work him into the ground!!! :) We restrict schooling sessions to 30/45 minutes, any more than this and he gets a bit bored and hacks are rarely more than an hour and a half. He get ridden about 5 or 6 times a week.
I think the hand leaning is almost an evasive tactic and as it is relatively new I want to nip it in the bud. I was going to try with a french link with a lozenge in the middle as my next port of call so I'll see how we go with that :)
 
I think you have another edition of my mare!
For her it has been a combination of the right bit and lots of schooling as she has a tendency to fall onto her forehand.
Her bit is a NS verbinde loose ring as it has movement and space for her large tongue.

When being ridden she is liable to fall onto her forehand at any opportunity!

Out hacking we have lots of transitions (even if just for a couple of strides) being sure to ride the transitions forwards and not fall into them. Also direction changes, using just seat and legs as much as possible and doing serpentines along the path or track. When in walk I ask her to really walk out, then slow her walk right down with my seat and then just before walk becomes halt then she is asked to walk really forwards on again.

The same things work in the school with loads of direction and pace changes (both within and between paces) - pushing on for a fast trot down the long side before very gently asking for a little collection for the corners works well. Making sure they are reactive when you put your leg on to get good crisp upwards transitions. Also working on lateral work makes a big difference - spiraling out of circles, turns on the forehand, reinback (with a light seat), shoulder in and half pass. All makes a huge difference. With regular breaks asking for a forewards walk and stretch down.

For us the key has been ensuring everything is forwards and with energy (not pushing forewards onto the forehand but ensuring energy in everything) and not allowing them to use your hands as a prop. It all helps, and we are getting there!! Now able to maintain the movement of being able to go forwards off the forehand and being able to work with a slightly higher head carriage.
 
genrally there is no such thing as a servere bit just that hands that use it.
A simple snaffle can be like a razor in the wrong hands yet a curb bit very soft in the right hands.
Every horse is indervudual what may suit one may not suit another.
I would go down the route of having a lesson from a good instructor that can watch you both and see what they say. As it may be (and probably is) a scholing issue. And if it is a bit issue they can help advise on what maybe suitable foryou both having seen you ride and the horses way of going.
 
loopylucifer said:
genrally there is no such thing as a servere bit just that hands that use it.
A simple snaffle can be like a razor in the wrong hands yet a curb bit very soft in the right hands.
Every horse is indervudual what may suit one may not suit another.
I would go down the route of having a lesson from a good instructor that can watch you both and see what they say. As it may be (and probably is) a scholing issue. And if it is a bit issue they can help advise on what maybe suitable foryou both having seen you ride and the horses way of going.
Click to expand...


I agree that the bit is dependent upon the hands that use it :)

We will be having a few sessions with a good instructor soon. But I do agree that it is a schooling issue. I don't think the two issues are distinct, using the right bit on a horse is useful as an aid to schooling. I would never think I could cure a problem by changing a bit, but I was wondering what people thoughts were as to what bit would support my schooling sessions by discouraging him from leaning while I get him lighter in hand and more balanced by working properly. :D
 
I was wondering what people thoughts were as to what bit would support my schooling sessions by discouraging him from leaning while I get him lighter in hand and more balanced by working properly. :D[/QUOTE]

exactly and that is where your instructor comes in as they see both you and the horse and will be able to advise you best. sometimes it isn't always the most obvious bit that works best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top