head problems

[iwtownsley]

for the last few days when ever i have done trot and upwards my pony has been having his head very high which is unusual for him, he is in middle hole of gag and a few people have said he might be overbitted do u think thats the case?

or could it be his teeth or maybe his back that is in pain although he had his teeth done the other day.

 

[iwtownsley]

ANYONE????

 

[flyingfeet]

If he was overbitted on the middle ring of a 4 ring gag, he should technically be overbent rather than holding his head high.

I would check his teeth haven't got any sharp bits, try a cavesson if you have a mouth closing noseband and also try a double jointed bit (if yours is not a french link / lozenge).

Quite a few head carriage problems are rooted in using a single jointed bit, which simply isn't shaped for a horses mouth.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

If his teeth are ok & his back is ok then the bit may be the problem. It may be that he doesn't like the action of the bit. Some horses prefer, as the previous poster says, a french link or something like a KK bit with a lozenge. This eliminates the nutcracker action of the normal jointed bit. You may find that a waterford may be good for him.

Sometimes less is more, a milder bit can very often solve a problem that is actually caused by a stronger bit that the animal is rebeling against.

If you are at Your Horse Live next wek at Stoneleigh call in at the Bit bank stand and they will give you their professional advice free....they really are knowledgable.

Good Luck

 

[AlexBomb]

yep, try a waterford. talk to Dawn at Totally-tack www.totally-tack.co.uk

she will be able to help you and give some free advice.

Alex

 

[iwtownsley]

thnx for all your help guys!