change of bit needed?? *video*

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catwithclaws

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my ISH mare has always been in a loose ring waterford snaffle ever since i've had her, because she can lean badly on my arms and can be quite strong, especially when jumping.

had a friend at the yard ride her today who is a better rider than me - she has ridden her in the past - as i've got a bad foot. she came back telling me that she had behaved really well, but she couldn't get her to work in any form of outline, and that she thinks she hates the bit she's ridden in as she kept throwing her head about.

i've been having twice-weekly lessons on her recently with a good instructor, and she *seems* to go ok, though i have posted a vid in case u guys don't agree :D i'd really like some CC, but please be nice - i've not got much confidence and i'm quite rusty after not riding for 9 months whilst pregnant :p

http://youtu.be/tBdVBR9IqrI

unfortunately i wasn't there when she rode as had to take my daughter to the docs, but now i'm really paranoid that i'm missing something and that i should be changing bits. the girl in question says she can borrow some different bits, and wants me to let her ride her in several next weekend and find something else better. i wouldn't mind but i don't want to change if there's no need!!

i'm no bit expert by any means, so please help!!
 
she doesnt look happy with her mouth to be homest, but im sure you have already done it but have you had her teeth done recently? Even a badly fitting saddle or sore back can cause the head tossing. If the above have been crossed off then I would look to change the bit, nothing stronger, just a different type of mouthpiece perhaps.
 
pixiebee said:
she doesnt look happy with her mouth to be homest, but im sure you have already done it but have you had her teeth done recently? Even a badly fitting saddle or sore back can cause the head tossing. If the above have been crossed off then I would look to change the bit, nothing stronger, just a different type of mouthpiece perhaps.
Click to expand...

Ditto!!
 
Right, here goes based on what I see.

You mare is avoiding the contact so yes, I would change her bit and put her in a loose ring lozenge snaffle of some sort. Then concentrate on getting her to accept the contact and go forward. Would advise the rider to ride the right diagonal in trot!

Horses who pull and get strong are usually like that because they fall onto their forehand and need to be taught to use their hind legs and schooling excercises involving lots of transitions help to achieve this.

Would also advise that you get her teeth looked at, if you haven't done so allready.
 
She does look rather unsettled at times especially at the end in walk, a good instructor should be working with you to get her into something that allows her to take a correct and consistent contact, a waterford will not make this easy for her.
Schooling will get her carrying herself and enable her to stop leaning on your hands, you may still need a stronger bit for fast work or jumping but let your friend try some other bits, you may be surprised at the difference it makes now you know her better.
I am rather surprised your instructor has not suggested a change if you are having two lessons a week, it would be the first thing I would do, the second to remove the martingale, it can go on for jumping but I dont like doing flat work in them as it can cause a loss of contact at times.

A change of bit to a mild snaffle, with a lozenge or french link would be a starting point so she can take the contact.
 
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she does look unhappy to me, but as others have said it is important to check everything including back, saddle, teeth etc beforehand.

Has the instructor commented on the headshaking? What has her advice been? If she hasn't commented on it I might be thinking about getting a different instructor!!
 
She isn't really going very well imho. She seems very fidigity and seems to resent the contact. This could be due to a soreness or her teeth, have you had them checked recently?

The bit you use is pretty severe and I imagine needs a rider with very light hands. I agree a nice lozenge bit for her, may even the ns starter bit, to encourage her to take up the contact and work sweetly. She doesn't look like a happy horse really.

What has your instructor said? I know mine wouldn't allow let me work the horse like this without addressing the issues...

I bet you when she starts working nice and consistently you won't believe the difference! :)
 
thanks for all advice guys, seems fairly unanimous that in fact she is unhappy in her mouth.

she has had her back and teeth checked recently, and her saddle was looked at in the new year.

just feeling really guilty and stupid now that i didn't figure it out myself :(
 
Dont feel stupid you have been going to a professional for lessons they should have suggested it, that is part of why you have a trainer they are there to advise.
 
Don't feel stupid hun! It takes a fresh pair of eyes to look at the bigger picture, I had a video done a few weeks back of me cantering my youngster in the school just to show him off cantering, my friend watching it just said in a throw away kind of way ''your lower leg doesn't seem very secure'' Well blow me when I actually watched it was swinging all over the place.
Now I'm concentrating on this in my lessons (among other things) and I'm so much better in my seat.

What does your instructor say? If she isn't addressing your mares head shaking then she is missing the point of working on your way of going. The mare needs to happy to take up the contact, something the waterford may actively discourage so is the wrong bit for your schooling at this point in time, she needs something she is happy to take up and work into imo.
 
just messaged my instructor on fb, she suggested a french link hanging cheek?? (i have got one lying around sumwhere!)

any other suggestions, i can try and borrow anything i haven't already got myself, as wouldn't want to buy one until i was sure it was right

feeling a bit rubbish actually, i know i'm paying for lessons etc, but thought i might have noticed that it was her trying to tell me something myself :rolleyes:
 
I agree that shes not happy to take the contact down and maintain it, shes avoiding the contact and headshaking. I personally would take the waterford out, shes not happy in it.
You could try a neue shule team up, or a pelham with a curb chain if she tends to be a bit strong, tbh, it might be a bit of trial and error until you get what you need.
Im also surprised that your instructor didnt correct your diagonal, when asking you to sit up and balance your horse.
 
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