Hard-mouthed horses

Nikiolola

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I have recently bought a welshey who I suspect has done a lot of driving. I have just been riding him in a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge, as he is not strong in the school, and doesn't really need anything else, but I do feel a bit out of control on hacks, as he is much more enthusiastic, but he is very hard mouthed. Today, I tried hacking him out in a waterford snaffle, and it made no difference at all. I am at a loss at what to do.
Is a hard mouth something that can be solved by schooling? And if so, how should I go about it, or is it just that I havn't found the right bit for him, and should keep on experimenting?

Advice much appreciated
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vicster

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We have welshes on our yard and most of the owners have one bridle for schooling with say a snaffle and one for hacking where most of them ride out in gags.
 

H-J

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If he goes ok in the school in a snaffle, then ride him out in what ever you feel comfortable in e.g 3 ring gag or something.
 

eohippus

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Hello, it sounds like you have only had this horse for short while and while It does sound like he is not hard mouthed per sa, it does sound like he is not listen to you when out, this could be due to lots of things, over exited , lack of schooling ect. I assume that if he was used for driving then his pace would have been controlled at all times with little or no traditional hacking and a driving bit would have been used for control, these are similar to pelhams, with a curb chain and poll action, you may like try to use a pelham with two reins whilst out, This will allow you to use the upper rein as a snaffle aid and the lower rein for back up, Keep the paces as slow as possible to keep in control, check his feed and reschool using lots of transitions with clear aids backed up with voice aids. Good luck.
hope this helps.
Dawn
 

pottamus

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I had similar problems with my Welshie when I got him, he was not hard mouthed as such but was very strong, leaned and would take hold when in company...is this the same problem you are having???
I put him in a pelham on instructors advice and found this helped but what helped more was me stopping 'holding onto him'. The more I held the more he pulled! My instructor taught me to have a relaxed hand and when he got strong to just give him a quick sharp pull and release with one hand whilst firmly telling him to walk. He took time to listen to this (as Welshies do!) but got the message.
I now ride him in a french link snaffle all the time...even out in company on endurance rides and he is fine.
Not sure if this helps or is the same problem...but it might help!
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Nikiolola

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Yes - that sounds quite similar to my problem. I have to admit my reins are usually like washing lines out hacking on other horses(force of habit), and he is a lot more settled when I ride him with loose reins. I suppose if I relax then he relaxes more too.

Anyway, from what you've said I think a pelham with 2 reins might help, along with some flatwork lessons.

Thanks
 

chestnut cob

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Exactly the same as my Welshy!

When I first bought him he leant on my hands, used to tank off and was generally horrid. Always thought he was hard mouthed but his problem is that he sets his neck and won't bend. Initially I put him into a waterford snaffle and it really helped. Took a fair while before I was happy to put him back in a snaffle. Now he goes in a Myler Comfort Snaffle 95% of the time. He has a lovely soft mouth, just have problems if he decides to set his neck against me. My new instructor got on him last week and said he had a mouth like butter and that it was lovely!

I still have to put him in something a bit stronger for more exciting things sometimes but generally he now just goes in that Myler snaffle. If he's v sharp he goes back in the waterford for jumping and cantering in company (most of the time I can canter out in company in a snaffle now). Hunting and fun rides he needs a kimblewick because that's when he switches off to me.

But yes, it is possible
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I agree with the poster who suggested trying a pelham with two reins out hacking. Stick with the snaffle in the school and then hopefully you will eventually be able to get him going in the snaffle out hacking too.
 

goeslikestink

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dont go for a pelham - ok

if hes been driven then think driving bit--

go for a kimblewick -- its a happy medium -- hasa port the same as driving bit-- and can be altered if nessecary

i had a shettie that was ride and drive kids couldnt hold him in snaffle changed to a valcanite kimblewick never looked back
he won the dressage classes in the pony club for local teams

sometimes a pelham is abit to strong - kimblewicks are what icall a happy meduim --

but remeber the severity of the bit is in the hands that use them
 

eohippus

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You cannot use kimblewicks for dressage. The pelham will allow her to use the snaffle rein and the curb when needed, best of both. You are restricted by a kimblewick as you cannot release the curb effect. But like you said, the bit is in the hands of the holder.
best of luck
Dawn
 

teapot

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I found exactly the same problem with the pony I used to share "oh he's light as a feather in his mouth" of course he was driving - but not under saddle. After not being able to stop on numerous occasions in his hanging cheek snaffle, I changed to a pelham with a port and 2 sets of reins
 
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