Ex 3* eventing horse SEND HELP 😂

[Finn2003]

Hi guys,

I have an ex eventer and although he is the best thing since sliced bread to me, I’ve got a slight issue with his canter. Walk and trot we have established of course being a schoolmaster. The problem I have is that when we are in open spaces he likes to go into canter and not stop almost as if he is on a XC course haha! Now I normally have breaks both in fields, arena and on the roads he listens, but we went up to a new open space yesterday and he just would not listen to my aids and just tanked off which resulted in me coming out of the side door! Teeth, back and tack checked and all came back fine, he is currently in a Myler comfort snaffle which was what he was in previously. I have recently found out that when out XC he was in a straight bar Pelham but I am awaiting to hear the reason for this. I’m just looking for general advice really as I have taken quite a nasty hit and it is not the first time he has taken off and it is only when we go into canter..

 

[ester]

I'd just let yourself have some brakes, pop his XC version in.

 

[AmyMay]

Yep, stick the Pelham in.

 

[be positive]

Not many 3* eventers will be jumped xc or sj in a snaffle as they need to be very forward and focused to do the job well, if he is still fit and well he is probably just feeling the grass under his feet and remembering his previous job, it may be bad manners but much the same as many ex racehorses it is ingrained in them a bit and they can forget the rider has not actually said go, a less experienced rider will probably not know the signals required to stop him.
Two things may help, 1 get a similar bit to the one he went in before, 2 find an instructor who will help you find the brakes a bit more easily, it can be simply adjusting your weight will bring him back and that can be practised in a school or field during a lesson.

 

[maya2008]

Don't take him to open spaces in a snaffle - simple! No matter how well schooled a horse is, many forward going horses need more brakes in open country, and to go xc. If you're worried about riding in the Pelham because you're not used to one, perhaps get some lessons with it in so you get the hang of it?

 

[alibali]

Make sure you're not using the forward seat, if he gets strong then get your weight onto his back. Sit up! (as I have frequently had yelled at me 😂)

 

[Finn2003]

Thank you all for your replies! I used to ride at a polo club and they used Cheltenham gags and Pelham’s, I just wanted some advice as to what others may suggest as I have thought about the Pelham haha! Thank you all so much! Will let you know how it goes next time 😳🙈😂

 

[Auslander]

I have no hesitation in bitting up a horse who is likely to get a bit jolly in open fields. If he was competed in a pelham, it sounds like his default is to bowl along a bit, so I'd stick him back in it pronto.
My big oaf has the lightest, softest mouth ever, and his default is to stick his nose on his chest and bounce. UNTIL we canter in open fields - when he grabs the bit, sets his neck, and goes off like a charging rhino, if I haven't got him anchored before we set off. He wears a waterford for hacking, as that's the only bit I can hold him in!

 

[NinjaPony]

Nothing wrong with bitting up when needed! Especially on an ex-eventer. They are used to going at a fair lick, probably in a stronger bit than a snaffle, and most eventers need to be pretty bold and forwards. My pony is a snaffle mouth nearly all the time, but he can take a hold when in a group and when he’s feeling well, so I hack him in a universal bit and I’m going to add a grackle as he doesn’t like the flash at all but does open his mouth from time to time at speed! I school him in a caveson and loose ring team up, so it’s not a schooling issue...

 

[Finn2003]

I have no hesitation in bitting up a horse who is likely to get a bit jolly in open fields. If he was competed in a pelham, it sounds like his default is to bowl along a bit, so I'd stick him back in it pronto.
My big oaf has the lightest, softest mouth ever, and his default is to stick his nose on his chest and bounce. UNTIL we canter in open fields - when he grabs the bit, sets his neck, and goes off like a charging rhino, if I haven't got him anchored before we set off. He wears a waterford for hacking, as that's the only bit I can hold him in!

Nothing wrong with bitting up when needed! Especially on an ex-eventer. They are used to going at a fair lick, probably in a stronger bit than a snaffle, and most eventers need to be pretty bold and forwards. My pony is a snaffle mouth nearly all the time, but he can take a hold when in a group and when he’s feeling well, so I hack him in a universal bit and I’m going to add a grackle as he doesn’t like the flash at all but does open his mouth from time to time at speed! I school him in a caveson and loose ring team up, so it’s not a schooling issue...

Hey all! Yeah he’s got a sensitive mouth that’s why I have him in the snaffle but I was just a bit weary bitting up but I’m glad everyone is on the same page so I will definitely go and let you all know, mine is the same Ninjapony with it not being a schooling issue as when we’re in the school, down the forest and even in the field he listens and is awesome but it was when we were up the Garth which is up high and was a bit blowy he just got excited haha I don’t put it down to naughtiness just that he didn’t understand what I was asking as he has a new job now haha. Thanks again all I’ll be getting a Pelham tomorrow!

 

[AmyMay]

Finn, if you’re talking about The Garth Mountain just outside Cardiff, I know it well. Most horses take a hold up there. As you say it’s high and often a bit blustery. That, along with the wide open space and lurking cattle and sheep, can make it a very ‘exciting’ place to ride.

It’s breathtaking up there.

 

[Finn2003]

Finn, if you’re talking about The Garth Mountain just outside Cardiff, I know it well. Most horses take a hold up there. As you say it’s high and often a bit blustery. That, along with the wide open space and lurking cattle and sheep, can make it a very ‘exciting’ place to ride.

It’s breathtaking up there.

Yes I am on about the one just outside Cardiff! There were no sheep or cattle when we went up and I know he’s fine with these as the yard he used to be at had both! And we rode in the sheep field often and he was fine, I think it was just extremely exciting as he’s never been up there and he is used to just go go go when there’s a large open space xx

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yes, agree with the others get the pelham in, i dont like pelhams really and they are severe if used but my last horse was always ridden in one, i tried to change that, bad move.... me, 5’2 on a 17.2 galloping along the beach having great fun and suddenly he wouldn't listen... spooked at seaweed and down i went.. trying to get back on in agony was a bugger 3 miles from home lol 😂 but id rather be safe than sorry, i think this time youv been lucky 😊

 

[Leandy]

I have recently found out that when out XC he was in a straight bar Pelham but I am awaiting to hear the reason for this. I’m just looking for general advice really as I have taken quite a nasty hit and it is not the first time he has taken off and it is only when we go into canter..

Err, seems fairly obvious why he was in it to me! Hauling away ineffectually at a snaffle is a less pleasant experience for both of you! An ex 3* eventer is not going to be backwards in coming forwards as it were. If his previous competitive riders needed more control than a snaffle XC, that should be telling you what you need to know. Put him in a pelham and hopefully it will be a nicer, safer experience for both of you. If you have a new horse, why would you not ride it in what it is used to at least initially until you know each other?

 

[Finn2003]

Err, seems fairly obvious why he was in it to me! Hauling away ineffectually at a snaffle is a less pleasant experience for both of you! An ex 3* eventer is not going to be backwards in coming forwards as it were. If his previous competitive riders needed more control than a snaffle XC, that should be telling you what you need to know. Put him in a pelham and hopefully it will be a nicer, safer experience for both of you. If you have a new horse, why would you not ride it in what it is used to at least initially until you know each other?

He was in the comfort snaffle as he had an injury so was doing only walk and trot maximum, it is only recently that I have been able to do canter work as the vet has signed off that he is now good to go. So this is why he was in the comfort snaffle. He was only in the Pelham doing XC, I dealt with the owner not the rider when getting him so I did not have all the information it was only when I contacted the rider to ask that he said he was in a pelham XC only. I had ridden him for two months prior to buying him and as I was doing the rehabilitation I did not think he would be like that out in open spaces.