Hacking Horror!

[maxapple]

My pony hacks out nicely in company, but on his own is a little rat bag. Today he span and buggered off (he doesn't get far!) twice, tried to bugger off in canter when I asked him to trot (he snatches the reins out of my hands and tries to launch into canter) and spooked at just about everything. He gets much worse in the winter too -and isn't even clipped yet which he will be.

Anyone else got a horror? Ideas how to stop him being so hard work to hack? I ride in a hanging cheek french link both out hacking and for dressage - so wonder if I need a different bit so he's not fighting with me? He also has a running martingale as he flings his head around.

He was living out 24/7 but is now in at night. He only gets good hay, hi-fi and hi-fibre bedmington nuts in his ball.

I have to hack out alone sometimes. When in company I am riding with my friend and my other horse, but he can only walk as he's recovering from an injury.

Also to add - he is really good on the lanes (apart from a bit of spooking) - its off road that he turns into a devil pony.

 

[ladyt25]

If the buggering off is the issue then yes, I'd put him in a stronger bit to be honest. I am all for schooling etc but at the end of the day, safety is the priority and if a stronger bit puts you in control then so be it.

 

[maxapple]

He doesn't go far - but it means I have to stick to trot or a very collected canter where I can't let him stretch properly or I think I might lose him!

What bit might be a good idea? (I hate the 3 ring gags so would want an alternative to that)

 

[ladyt25]

Why do you hate the 3 ring? Have you tried it? I have to say, I have had mine in the 3 ring gag since he was pretty young and just change what ring i have it on depending on what I am doing. I have tried numerous bits over the 17 years I have had my horse and the 3 ring is the one he seems happiest in. Most recently I changed to a waterford mouthpeice as I thought maybe the nutcracker style wasn't the best for him.

I would just play around to be honest. I don't know why people are so averse to the 3 ring gag to be honest, you don't have to put it on the bottom ring. However, it may be a gag action doesn't work for your horse - I can't even use any drop ring bit on my pony and he drops right behind the bridle, he's ok in any non-poll pressure type bit though. You just need too beg, steal or borrow various bits to be honest and see what works. God, i can't even remember how many different bits I have tried over the years!

 

[redheadkelj]

He doesn't go far - but it means I have to stick to trot or a very collected canter where I can't let him stretch properly or I think I might lose him!

What bit might be a good idea? (I hate the 3 ring gags so would want an alternative to that)

Why not try something like a kimblewick (sp?) if he doesn't mind a straight mouth piece and a curb chain? I used to hack out my old pony in one of those adn he did nearly the same things as your does with rein snatching, spinning, trying to canter off etc. Worked wonders for mine but you will probably have to try a few before you find one that works for you!

 

[ladyt25]

Why not try something like a kimblewick (sp?) if he doesn't mind a straight mouth piece and a curb chain? I used to hack out my old pony in one of those adn he did nearly the same things as your does with rein snatching, spinning, trying to canter off etc. Worked wonders for mine but you will probably have to try a few before you find one that works for you!

Definitely try a range of bits. i tried a kimblewick many years ago on my 14.2hh pony who was in a high port pelham. I got him out of that and in a snaffle but when he wanted to go my arms ended up like jelly. I tried the 3 ring gag when it first came out and had control. I did try the kimblewick but i have never felt so out of control when we had a gallop! Thankfully he was a well behaved pony and always stopped at the end of a gallop track but I had not choice and couldn't have stopped him beforehand! It all depends on what your horse does - I would say if he throws his head down then try a gag, of he puts his head up to evade then go for a curb type bit. That's the basics and how I would work but there's a lot more to it than that.

 

[maxapple]

I've tried a 3 ring once or twice - he just evades it by over bending and then will jump around on the spot / buck instead out of frustration. As he's quite compact and only 14.1, that can be harder to sit to!

I'll read up on kimblewicks! He has a very small mouth too (he's welsh x arab) so its finding something that fits comfortably.

Its weird as in the summer he is usally fine - its a winter thing when its cold and he's a bit fresh and I can't ride as much.

 

[ladyt25]

Maybe try a tom thumb or a cartwheel gag? However, a curb type bit (pelham or kimblewick) may also work. To be honest you don't know until you try. I would say if he is overbending with the 3 ring that a poll pressure bit maybe isn't right for him although mine will do this too when he's excited but he is happy to go forward in to the bit as well.