Brakes!!

[Lightning]

I have a new horse that I took out hunting the other day on and whilst he was perfect in everyway I physically couldn't stop him to the point I had to return after an hour. I managed to get blisters on my fingers and the final turning for home point was my leg went into spasm from heaving him so much!

He is a big solid 16hh warmblood and heavily leans and I am a lanky feable jockey and my pulling just doesn't even register to him.

He was ridden in a double bridle but I'm not sure of the name of the bit but its what I call a mimic double bit as the weymouth is joined to the bridoon part, if that makes sense? And has a curb.

I am hoping, if I can brave it, to take him out this Saturday but I really don't want to have to pay if I'm going to turn around and go home after an hour, it isn't enjoyable on both sides.

Can anyone help with a bit that a) I can stop him in and b) stop half a tonne of horse leaning on the bit.

Thanks

 

[Cliqmo]

Sounds like a swales you might be using?

If the curb is being ineffective I would recommend changing away from a pelham/double bridle all together and perhaps try a waterford mouthpiece? Perhaps with gag shanks?

Personally I would recommend a waterford balding gag as the waterford mouthpiece helps stop leaning, the loose ring helps stop leaning and the gag action should help lift his head- and stop him leaning :grin:

 

[tootsietoo]

I sympathise, as I also have a new horse who is absolutely perfect, except on the couple of fun rides I have done he has tanked me a few times once we start jumping! The first time I used a french link and flash noseband, second time a pelham with d-rings (on the advice of his owner) and the pelham made no difference at all AND he had a sore mouth afterwards. I'd rather use a snaffle with more tack (eg. grakle and running martingale).

I think perhaps a bit more schooling and rider fittening might help a bit! Good luck with the bit experiments. Someone told me that the lady at the horse bit bank (google it) is very helpful.

 

[skewby]

My lad is a big heavy Suffolk x and he does this! Last time I went out it was in a double. I'd tried the week before in it and passed the master countless times, ditto the time before that in a pelham!

I swapped his leather curb chain for a metal one, tightened it, and the second he went to put his head down and go I gave him a firm upwards yank on the curb with one hand. Polite horse for the rest of the day!

The other thing I use is spurs - when he leans or snatches down I use them to activate the back end (unfortunately this has caused a temper buck before now but hey, can't have everything!) and to say, "get OFF my hand"!

How many times has he been? He will probably also settle after a few times out?