Dealing with violent rein snatching!

[Crazycobrider]

Hi everyone, so recently my very hot headed cob x has taken into the habit of snatching the reins! He will do it so unexpectedly In trot and canter! He will violently snatch his head and twist to I loose my reins. It's starting to become quite dangerous as he's been doing it in canter then as he it able to get his head he will go broncing with his head between his knees! It's so quick it will happen in split seconds.
I've tried playing with my reins, keeping my hands quiet, having hard hands, giving him a sharp half half when he snatches but nothing is working!!
He's snatching with such force he literally heaves himself forward making my saddle come right far forward(girth is always tight)
His saddle fits him perfectly he's had his teeth done a few weeks back, his backs all okay!

He's currently in a eggbutt french link snaffle, eggbutt is better as otherwise he constanly chomps on bit as doesn't like the feel of a loose ring.

Should I change his bit or what? Stuck for ideas
Any helps welcome

 

[*hic*]

Is this since you decided he needed feeding or does it pre-date that?

 

[twiggy2]

if he can pull your saddle forward by doing this then the saddle does not fit him.

start with saddle and back check the rein snatching could be due to stiffness or back pain

 

[Happy Hunter]

Same as twiggy2.
My old cob tried this for a week or so - he was angelic normally.
It was a pulled back...

 

[Crazycobrider]

Is this since you decided he needed feeding or does it pre-date that?

He doesn't get hard feed. I didn't decide he needed feeding I got told he should be on hard feed.
I'm only asking for help!

 

[Crazycobrider]

if he can pull your saddle forward by doing this then the saddle does not fit him.

start with saddle and back check the rein snatching could be due to stiffness or back pain

Saddle was rechecked about a month ago

 

[flirtygerty]

Bridge your reins

 

[dogatemysalad]

Get the saddle checked again, perhaps with a different saddler.

 

[twiggy2]

Get the saddle checked again, perhaps with a different saddler.

this

 

[Crazycobrider]

this

Thankyou both

 

[Fides]

Grass reins?

 

[saddlesore]

I agree about getting his back checked but also his teeth. What age is he? It might be something that you need to ride through but id want to rule out any physical issues first. Had he gained/lost weight? Changed pasture?

 

[Crazycobrider]

I agree about getting his back checked but also his teeth. What age is he? It might be something that you need to ride through but id want to rule out any physical issues first. Had he gained/lost weight? Changed pasture?

Vet thinks he's about 10 had his teeth checked Wednesday, he's put some weight on but that was because he'd dropped quite a lot of weight

 

[Dizzle]

Flies??

 

[Copperpot]

Get the saddle checked again, perhaps with a different saddler.

I agree with this.

 

[saddlesore]

Why did he drop a lot of weight? Was he restricted or unwell?

 

[amandap]

If he is hot headed perhaps look at gastric and hindgut issues as well. It sounds like he has upped the anti to complain but there may be an underlying problem keeping him on edge?