Head in the clouds!

[Canigloss]

I'm so stuck. I have a pretty ISH mare who has been out on loan and has come back a different horse! She walks out great but the moment you ask for trot she will rush and if you try and take any contact she will raise her head right up into your lap and just brace against your hand and try and break into canter.

I've had her back done, tack done, teeth done all in the last few months. She's fine in walk and fine in canter but is stressed and tense and all up in the air in trot. The loaner was riding her in a Dutch dag although I wasn't aware of this. She's now in a French link snaffle.

Is there a bit that would be good to encourage her to relax a bit more? Is a running martingale out of the question? Help!

 

[ribbons]

Sounds like she's been the victim of very heavy hands and probably had some nasty jabs in the mouth and is expecting them, so is trying to take evasive action.
No quick fix, it's all about reassuring her it will no longer happen, so right back to basics, soft gentle hands and loads of patience.

 

[zaminda]

How is she lungeing? If she is similar then I would try a martingale, either a running or a standing. If she is funny through her mouth, a standing might work better as I have come across a few that hate the feel of a running martingale on the reins, and fight it.