Having seen the Noseband thread - suggestions please

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LG's Skivvy

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Hi,

I ride my horse in a crank and flash, I'm not sure I particularly like it so I'm looking for alternatives that I could try.

Thanks
 
Take the flash off and have the crank very loose? thats possibly the easiest and cheapest route to try first. Or possibly a drop if he/she evades by opening his/her mouth. Or just take it off and see where that leaves you.
 
dafthoss said:
Take the flash off and have the crank very loose? thats possibly the easiest and cheapest route to try first. Or possibly a drop if he/she evades by opening his/her mouth. Or just take it off and see where that leaves you.
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This. Totally agree. People use crank and flash nosebands to keep the mouth closed, but that closes down the first muscle in the chain - the tongue.

If your horse is evading the bit then he needs to be educated to the bit or try a softer bit that is more comfortable.
 
Housemouse said:
This. Totally agree. People use crank and flash nosebands to keep the mouth closed, but that closes down the first muscle in the chain - the tongue.

If your horse is evading the bit then he needs to be educated to the bit or try a softer bit that is more comfortable.
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He grinds, opens his mouth and snatches, I've tried riding without the flash but he is a pain in the bum, I ride him in a french link snaffle. Happy to try different bits as well, always open to suggestions

He was in a crank when I bought him and so kept with it but now it is time to experiment to see what difference it makes
 
Does he absolutely have to be ridden in a bit ? (for your specific discipline)

Some go better in a hackamore, some fight just as much, horses for courses, could be worth a try though.

I used to hack in a hackamore and just use the LS combi for parties. Worked for us.
 
I'd try a drop. But I'd also look into why he was evading, eg is he forwards enough, stretching through his back, rider faults causing it etc.
 
He's done these things since I had him, alot of it is anxiety related for example he grinds when something I'd difficult or when he is getting tired. I suspect that it is a habit formed from coping with pain and now it's just a habit. But, he opens his mouth, crosses his jaw and throws his head about with his tongue hanging out if he gets stressed in his stable or when he sees dinner coming. Basically he's a loon but what I'm trying to say is the behaiour carries through, its not just when ridden, it just manifests itself in different ways ;)

I had a lot of work done on his teeth and back when I got him and his grinding is much less frequent now than it used to be.

He's forward going and willing to work in an outline but somedays are better than others, he still gaining strength through his back and hind quarters. I have regular lessons on him so hopefully not too much rider error on my part.

I don't ride with the crank any tighter than I would a regular noseband, took my flash off yesterday, we had some issues with canter but thats not especially unusual, he wasn't evasive particularly so going to try that again today
 
If you considering a different bit, Mark Rashid a great horse man suggests the Rockin S snaffle. It sits slightly differently in their mouth so horses seem to go better than in other bits. I just ride in a string hackamore so can't advise on nosebands but I'd never pin a horses mouth shut.. If they are wanting it open there is a reason so I'd never not give them the choice and force it shut. Some horses go completly differently without a bit, please be wary that they'll tend to have pressure else where for instance the poll. With a rope hackamore it's all about using one rein and bending to a stop, if not stopping on your visualisation or body language/energy. They need to be able to gently bend if you stroke one rein so they learn. I also do a lot on the ground so that they learn when your energy goes down, they mimic it and slow down. Just a few thoughts, best wishes, Hannah
 
Can I suggest you look into the training of Phillipe Karl (PK).

Anyone training with PK will be able to help you to educate your horse to the bit.

I train with him and have just had some great success with a pony who was snatching and pulling his tongue back etc. He was being really difficult until I put him in a bitless bridle. He can't stay in that because he is used as a working livery, so several bits later, he is in a straight bar happy mouth with eggbutts and is undergoing daily education.

The pony is very different after only three days of training.

There is hope and there is a future.

PM if you want more details of PK and are looking for an instructor who can help.
 
Some horses really, really dislike metal bits (ever accidentally bitten tinfoil?) . Maybe try a nylon/rubber/plastic bit or wrap the one you've got?

Trial and error I think.
 
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