Bridle Problems

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abitrend

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Hi guys wondered if any of you could possibly give me some advice. I have a 6yo who is very keen when it comes to jumping. He has bags of ability but definitely his own mind! He is just in a snaffle and I don't want to change this as he is controllable, the problem comes with his determination to open his mouth. He has his teeth done every 3 months as they get sharp very quickly but we have tried a flash, drop noseband and a grackle and all of them have been stretched into oblivion so they no longer work. He's good on the flat and doesn't fidget but try and jump him and the mouth opens as soon as you try to curb his enthusiasm.
Any ideas would be very very much appreciated!
 
If he's perfectly controllable jumping then I'd stick on a loose cavesson and just let him open his gob. This obsession with strapping mouths shut amazes me - you create more tension by using a flash etc than you will stop.
 
I might be tempted to get a second opinion on the teeth and mouth but apart from that I also wouldnt be inclined to fight it
 
Thank you, I'll give him a go with just the cavesson, my concern is that may encourage him to open his mouth further and object more, in doing so removing the control. We do have another dentist lined up who said he would come 'before Christmas' but still waiting for confirmation.
 
Looking at it logically, a horse doesn't just open their mouth automatically because he or she is jumping, I would suggest that the horse is more forward when jumping than you are used to and this is causing you to put more pressure on the bit than you usually need to on the flat which is meaning your horse opens his mouth to avoid the pressure.

This is a schooling issue, you really need to come up with some exercises to slow him down without pulling more on the reins, some horses rush if they are a little nervous of jumping so start off with smaller fences or even canter poles. Teach a good half halt, circle away and around poles, make it interesting and fun, do some grid work, trot poles, canter poles etc .

Do you have an instructor to help?
 
Wheels said:
Looking at it logically, a horse doesn't just open their mouth automatically because he or she is jumping, I would suggest that the horse is more forward when jumping than you are used to and this is causing you to put more pressure on the bit than you usually need to on the flat which is meaning your horse opens his mouth to avoid the pressure.

This is a schooling issue, you really need to come up with some exercises to slow him down without pulling more on the reins, some horses rush if they are a little nervous of jumping so start off with smaller fences or even canter poles. Teach a good half halt, circle away and around poles, make it interesting and fun, do some grid work, trot poles, canter poles etc .

Do you have an instructor to help?
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I like this post.
 
Wheels - Thanks for your suggestions but he is definitely not more forward than I am used to! It may be that I am putting too much pressure on his mouth when he starts to pull and that is his recreation. He isn't nervous of jumping at all, we jumped double clears at 110 this year when he was in more work but now his workload has dropped and he is only jumped once every 10-14 days and the jumping is causing more excitement than it used to. He does pole work during the week and grid work is second nature to him, bounces etc all do slow him down yes but its not really his speed that is the issue. His opening of the mouth, crossing his jaw and playing with the bit is the problem and I'm trying to make him focus on the job in hand. He doesn't need to slow down is canter is collected and he can lengthen/shorten when required.
 
If he is all you say he is and is well schooled as you describe then why are you needing to put more pressure on and why is he pulling? That is a little contradictory imho.

If he was perfectly balanced and collected in his canter and off the forehand he wouldn't be pulling trying to avoid the bit because he would be light in your hand and concentrating on what you are asking of him. Horses pull when they are on the forehand, horses can only pull if you pull back. Pressure and release is required, half halts and exercises to slow down without pulling are good ways to achieve this. It doesn't really matter whether you are jumping 50cm or 1.50 a balanced horse doesn't need to pull or cross his jaw
 
I am not saying he is a saint and so well schooled there's no room from improvement he is still only young and learning his trade. He isn't perfectly balanced and if you read what I wrote you will not find me ever having said those words - all I did say was he was collected which is different imho. As you seem to be so knowledgeable though, please introduce me to a horse that jumps a full course of half decent sized fences without ever taking a pull!
 
Well there's a difference between taking a pull and being uncomfortable enough with the pull that the horse has to open his mouth or cross his jaw.

You came on here and put up a thread and I assume you wanted people to respond with the benefit of their experience. That may or may not be what you wanted to hear but that's how forums work lol

Good luck with your horse
 
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