Contact issues.....long(ish)

Hippona

Hippona

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OK...long story short.....

Young arab- rather green- did resemble a giraffe...we are talkng head in the air, behind the bit- no contact whatsoever. Worked on this- did improve.

Changed from loose ring snaffle to eggbutt snaffle ( with a revolver- a jeffries one). Contact greatly improved- no longer giraffe like- walking out nicely instead of jogging everywhere- head much lower.

New trick.....when trotting or cantering... is to grab the bit and put his head down to his knees. No bucking, keeps his stride- working along nicely apart from having his head between his knees:confused: Occasionally in walk- on a loose rein ( which is a miracle in itself) he will snatch at the reins and stretch his head right down also.

Teeth were done in May and previous to that last Oct- no problems- (apparantly he has a nice mouth conformation). Back and saddle fits all fine- can't find any sore spots.

He has just turned 6- did very little from being backed and broken aged 4 to me buying him last autumn and its only recently he's really been worked properly - I've taken it steady with him due to confidence issues ( his and mine I suppose)

So...why is he doing this suddenly? Is he 'testing' the bit/contact? Stretching his back? Working his balance out? All 3?
 
Does he do it when he's getting a little impatient or bored (don't mean bored bored) but if he's not got anything to concentrate on say if your just hacking in walk and you're not riding him into a contact, is he fiddling with his bit and yanking then? what I mean is does he still do it when he's warmed up and schooling in full flow and been worked, or just at certain times? could be that he's seeing what he can get away with, if he's learnt he can snatch and pull your forward or the reins from your hands or unbalance you in the saddle the it could of developed into a habit, in which case a firm contact for a while (this is where I want your head) and a harsh leg on to keep him active, listening and forward thinking.

But my first thoughts would be teeth coming through, possible saddle or back issues but like you say if you have had everything checked.

Does he do it if you long rein? (so no saddle or rider) does he do it on the lunge? (so no saddle, no rider and not bit) is it only when he's doing ridden work?
 
In walk...mooching on a long rein.....then yeah, he does grab the bit and toss his head about and down I suppose.

The head between knees thing is usually when he's been worked in and warmed up and being made to work.....thinking about it, possibly when he's decided that he's done enough thankyou:rolleyes: he can be a bit nappy actually and yes.....its always when he's moving away from the gate and he's been made to keep going. Hmmmm. I did think the sun was in his eyes initially.

Trying it on possibly?

It was the equine vet who did his teeth ( he has to be sedated) and I asked about wolf teeth and she said he doesnt have any....he seems comfortable in his mouth...
 
We had Sally K down to our yard, one of the horses (same age 6yr old) is having similar issues, specially when trying to ride into a contact, said at that age sometimes if the teeth are still coming through slowly (not always wolf teeth either) then although it's not painful as such, at times it will niggle them when they have the bit in, sometimes switching to a plastic/rubber material will help if there are over active in the mouth, so it could just be his age, sometimes it can be a sign of tiredness as well, also if you make it clear to him when it's acceptable to stretch (so he has his stretch time) but not for him to decide when he feels like it....there cunning little buggars when they reach 6 :D
 
Aah...thanks Kenzo- makes sense.

He's been allowed to get away with murder also....never forced to do anything he didn't want to- hence why he had never hacked out alone either:rolleyes:

He just likes to make a fuss I think.....trotting poles were his latest thing- couldn't walk over one without a panic attack but he's happily walking/trotting over them now.

Such a prima donna.:D
 
I would def call the vet to do a through check, my tb had similar contact problems - had her teeth doen, the "back man" saddle man everything seemed fine, still wasnt right so i called my vet.
Been out of work 6 weeks had a physio out and she has some seriously complex stuff with her back and hocks going on. She is on a rehab programme and is due to be reassessed in 4 weeks time, fingers crossed she will be okay.
So yes, i would get your vet to check your arab over.
 
He is special yeah ( special needs OH says) and he's really wormed his way in.:)

He had a hard act to follow- my last horse was one in a million but this one has just grown on me so much and when I look at how far he's come I can't quite believe it.

Bless 'em eh:D
 
cob&onion said:
I would def call the vet to do a through check, my tb had similar contact problems - had her teeth doen, the "back man" saddle man everything seemed fine, still wasnt right so i called my vet.
Been out of work 6 weeks had a physio out and she has some seriously complex stuff with her back and hocks going on. She is on a rehab programme and is due to be reassessed in 4 weeks time, fingers crossed she will be okay.
So yes, i would get your vet to check your arab over.
Click to expand...

Oh dear....what sort of problems has your mare got? Is it pelvic?

Hope she's ok.

If he keeps doing it then yes, I will gets vets advice.
 
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