Can anyone explain this for me? (Bit related)

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marmite8

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I have a large horse (WB), very long backed and hard to hold together. He KNOWS how to work properly, he's 11 so not green in anyway - can be quite lazy.

I've had him for a year - he does Discovery SJ and Novice/Elementary dressage

Anyway, to the point - if I work him in a pelham on the flat he is an absolute dream to ride. He is very forward going, requires very little contact & really floats round the arena. It feels lovely.

If I put him in the snaffle or a double he is hard work.
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Now I know that the curb is obviously having a huge effect on this, but it is not his head/ neck/ working over back position that I am baffled about - it is more his work ethic or sense of forwardness.

In the pelham he is lovely and forward. In the snaffle/double I have to nag nag nag with my legs - he makes me constantly get after him and is really hard to keep between leg and hand.

I'm just not sure why? I can get him working over his back & tracking up in the other bits but it requires sooo much effort.
He seems to really like being in the pelham.

Can anybody explain this for me?

Thank you.


(He is showjumped in a universal but it is easier to get him forward when jumps are involved!)
 
you need to train him off your leg and this will require a few pony club kicks to the point that when you take your legs away from his side he should go forward ! never nag with your legs one hard kick and he should go forwards and if not back it up with a stick you will need to be quite hard !!

when you do this i wouldnt be worrying about his head !
 
This is the same as my horse, in a Myler combination she is forward into the hand, never opens her muoth and I dont need a flash.

In a snaffle she is really backwards, leaps a lot, mouth gapping, tonuge all over the place, can't walk.....

My dressage trainer said it is because she respects the Myler so doesn't take the P$$$ in it.
 
What sort of snaffle and pelham are you using?

If its a straight bar pelham and jointed snaffle, maybe the snaffle is pinching his tongue or is too small for his mouth?
 
[ QUOTE ]
you need to train him off your leg and this will require a few pony club kicks to the point that when you take your legs away from his side he should go forward ! never nag with your legs one hard kick and he should go forwards and if not back it up with a stick you will need to be quite hard !!

when you do this i wouldnt be worrying about his head !

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that this is what I need to do & this is def what I have been triying to do (and will continue) I am just curious as to why more naturally he goes forward in the pelham - if you see what I mean.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What sort of snaffle and pelham are you using?

If its a straight bar pelham and jointed snaffle, maybe the snaffle is pinching his tongue or is too small for his mouth?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes - it is a straight bar pelham. I am using a jointed snaffle - could definitely consider this - thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]
This is the same as my horse, in a Myler combination she is forward into the hand, never opens her muoth and I dont need a flash.

In a snaffle she is really backwards, leaps a lot, mouth gapping, tonuge all over the place, can't walk.....

My dressage trainer said it is because she respects the Myler so doesn't take the P$$$ in it.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is also what my trainer has said but I have tried using more curb in the double to see if I can be firmer - doesn't seem to work! So frustrating.
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We solved a very similar problem with a Hilary Vernon Mullen mouth hanging cheek after talking to staff at my local saddlery (Risley Saddlery in Derbyshire). They rang Hilary Vernon and asked her for further advice, it's worked a treat!
 


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes - it is a straight bar pelham. I am using a jointed snaffle - could definitely consider this - thanks

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I really do think your horse is uncomfortable in his mouth, but you'll need to find a compromise between comfort and control. Do you have some friends you could borrow a variety of bits from to try, or a friendly tack shop?

My very strong TB goes beautifully in the school in a rubber snaffle, bit if I tried it on grass at an event I'd be doing involuntary cross country!!
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