Brakes - or lack of!

[jassyjojo]

Hi everyone. I have a very strong 16 hand traditional cob who I hunt. He is the sweetest, most willing horse ever, but when he hits the hunt field he tows me from one end to the other. I hunted him in a snaffle when he was 3 years old, but since then he has got stronger and stronger. I dont touch him when we are moving on, but sometimes coming up on something solid, I do want him to get a look at it, and not be on top of the horse in front. I tried to swap him to a pelham recently. He schooled beautifully, loved the bit, but when we hit the hunt field he hollowed over the jumps, dropping his back end. I moved to a gag recently (with french link), again he schools beautifully but on the first ring he again fights for his head so badly he throws it in the air and again hollows. Not a nice experience for either of us. He seems happiest in a snaffle but I cannot get a hold of him at all when I need. I havent been riding him with a drop noseband, flash or grackle, maybe these would be options. Any advice would be hugely welcome. Just to add, I am weenie, a size 6 and only 5 foot 3, so no matter what he is going to win the battle, but I do want him to be happy, that is the most important for me. Am contemplating moving back to a snaffle just so he is happy but the other week I couldnt hold him back of a wall which only had room for one, and unfortunately another rider got their first! Not pretty. All help welcome! Thanks so much.

 

[Eriskayowner]

I'm assuming, when you said about the first ring, it wasn't a proper gag? I would suggest putting a proper gag on but using two reins so that you adjust the severity during the day.
Also, make sure that you aren't catching him in the mouth as this would cause him to hollow.

Good luck.

 

[CrazyMare]

Cheltenham/English/Balding gag would be my next choice, which is what I presume the above poster means by a 'proper gag'. Names make it easier to search

 

[Brandy]

My (much smaller) cob started taking into jumps with me, although schools beautifully in a snaffle. He is fussy mouthed at best and I didn;t feel a stronger bit would help. I tried a drop nose band, works wonders. Although took some getting used to (I was so used to holding him and had to learn not to with the drop) So we are still in the snaffle with the drop for jumping or anything remotely exciting.

 

[K27]

Maybe have a play with lots of different bits, bridles and reins (for good grip) and nosebands!- high ring grackle?

My first choice would be a double bridle I think! or failing that maybe some sort of snaffle with a combination or Kineton noseband- that may help towards getting them up in the shoulders in front and working from behind.....



Enjoy your hunting!

 

[Toffee44]

My old Irish Cob used to just get stronger and stronger on the way home to the point my shoulders ached. I tried him in a gag but he would just shove his head up in the air and generally be uncomfortable.

I hired an american gag and this worked really well. I barely had to touch him to bring him up. Just before I sold him he was hacking back out in his snaffle comfortably and I think to some degree with a bit more respect.