Butting advice and going away...

T

Troyseph

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Ahhhhhh bits! They are driving me insane:(
Need some advice please!
I bought my horse and he was in a Dutch gag,2nd hole, however I wanted him in something less severe and opted for a French link... He went ok in it but I had NO brakes and it was becoming ridiculous!!..
So advice from members on here and someone else I was advised a Waterford due to his severe leaning, not even that helped!!..? So we went to a happy mouth Dutch gag, which he's been ok in, still string but better, but now he's just going stupidly over bent due to it which I was warned about!
He's got the dentist Monday so hopefully they can give me some advice?!
On a looksie his tongue looks very thick and fleshy..
I know it will be a lot to do with schooling(he's going away next week to be re schooled)...

How long will he need to be away for to notice a change? I know it varies of course but6 weeks is average right?

He's only this strong because of being an ex pacer....:-( its so hard, he has so much potential we had a really bad day today schooling just no control galloping off when asking for Trot etc:(

Advice please

And who has ever used a pee wee?!
 
He's leaning because that's how they race them. They lean hard on the driver's hands. He is on his forehand. To stop him doing that, you are going to have to spend some time educating him. School him in arena and do transitions, not only between gaits but within them also. This is more than simply buying a different bit. Once you do educate him, he will be much nicer to ride. Cheers. (Am hoping to be a harness racing trainer/driver and did my Certificate III in Racing at a harness racing stable. Am now looking to further education.)
 
Oh dear I dont envy you.

I once drove a pacer, you pulled the reins to make it go faster and dropped all contact to make it stop.

Dont think I could cope with riding one, certainly a big job to reschool, good luck.


Oh and if you really need to stop just try dropping the reins, obviously somewhere safe :D
 
My horse used to pace and wad very heavy on the forehand. Lots and lots of schooling I'm afraid is the only answer! Taken me a year and a half to get him to where he is now - a nice riding horse, nothing special! I however ride him in a dutch gag now he's going well as he likes it and is good in it.
 
The thing is that horses don't understand bits unless they are taught to follow a feel. Horses don't automatically understand that a pull on the reins means "stop" or "slow down". So you need to go back to the very beginning and teach them what your signals mean...!!! I found the basic Parelli excellent for teaching this. Both for the horse and the human. Regardless of the animosity and differing opinions of that organisation, the original basic programme was excellent and actually reflected traditional ideas and methods.......so imo rather than look at what bit works better for you, I would look at the whole re-training idea and pick a system that suits both you and the horse so that your communication improves and with that your confidence improves and with that everything else improves!!! All the best.
 
Silly phone! Was going to add, I did all his schooling in a loose ring snaffle but hacking he needs his dutch gag. Would rather ask once and get a response then tug away in a snaffle!
 
kippen64 said:
He's leaning because that's how they race them. They lean hard on the driver's hands. He is on his forehand. To stop him doing that, you are going to have to spend some time educating him. School him in arena and do transitions, not only between gaits but within them also. This is more than simply buying a different bit. Once you do educate him, he will be much nicer to ride.
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement. A stronger bit is definitely not the answer. Your horse has to learn to re balance himself and this will only be achieved by correct schooling. Which wil TAKE TIME and patients.
 
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