Head tilt throwing out balance/paces.

Achinghips

Achinghips

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Trying to even up this mare using side reins on lunge.
Working big circles in trot and walk (2 x 20 mins per day). French link snaffle.
Teeth checked, passed 5 stage vetting, poss learned behaviour (removal of wolf teeth 6 years ago).
Any bit ideas or recs for further work please?
 
Thanks for the response. In walk she's fine, trot we get head tilt so she's not looking where she's going and is totally unbalanced. Doing sone long reining in lunge too as back feet aren't coming under far enough. The head tilt is the main problem, if I can correct this, I'm sure balance will get better. Canter is a joke.
 
If she had her wolf teeth out 6 years ago, then shes no baby, surely she should be balanced by now? Unless very green. You say throwing out balance/paces? Are her paces short striding/stiff unable to extend etc?
 
Not lifting up feet high enough is an issue, rather than extension, but far more is that she's simply not looking where she's going, She's a spooky TB, been kept as a big pet, VERY green - never jumped! Had a few foals
I've had her for 6 weeks.
I'm not confident with using a pessoa, so this isn't an option at this stage for my own work with her.
I'm going to have to work very hard with this problem as otherwise she's going to develop uneven muscalature.
 
Ahh ok if she is a spooky very green tb then my first thoughts were probably wrong. (bridle lameness)

If shes fine in a walk, and she is in no pain anywhere then this maybe a way of her just evading the bit or she telling you the bit you have is pinching etc. Maybe try copper or sweet iron bit, she may prefer those and exept the bit better?

Also have you check her back/saddle?
 
She is a pain with the bit, forever playing with it, rather than concentrating on me, which means when I'm riding I can't correct the head either, though to tell the truth, I'm spending much time concentrating on leg aids to keep her bum out of traffic, so it's like rubbing your tummy and patting your head, which is why I've gone back to basic schooling. I shall defo try a sweet iron or copper. Any specific recommendations for the kind of bit?
 
Just a thought but have you had her eyesight checked?
We had a pony with a head tilt and it turned out to be cataract in one eye.
 
Id personally go for something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CS-BNWT-Sweet-Iron...=item53dd9c639e

If she is happy with all her tack, in no pain, and you ride her forward with an even contact then this problem should stop.
A great tip also is to get the reins with the rubber gribs all the way up them, this way tou can count the grips to make sure your reins are even on both sides. If she is a sensitive TB then an inch sorter on one rein could make her tilt x
 
My youngster used to fidgit with the bit, evade the contact, occasionally get his tongue over the bit, etc.

I've recently changed his bridle to a drop nose band (micklem multi bridle) with the same bit (french link snaffle).

I addition we have been schooling him with a bungee over his poll, through the bit and attached to the girth between his legs. We initially did this on the lunge as some horses don't like the pressure on the poll when they raise their head and can over react.

It has basically encouraged him to stop messing around putting his head up as when he does the pressure is on the poll, and the instant he stretches long and low the pressure is gone. No rider interfering with him, he just had to work it out for himself.

I must add I've done all this with the help of my instructor and under their guidance, and not sure if it would work for your situation. But after less than 2 weeks and approx 8-10 sessions (building it up gradually) with it on he is a completely different horse. He works really long and low and really uses his back end under him. He no longer snatches the reins or crosses his jaw or messes around and is like this now without the bungee. (Although will still be using it for a bit longer.) The drop nose band is not tight, he can open his mouth, but if he does it puts pressure on his nose. A flash does not do the same thing.

I am utterly amazed at how different he is in such a short space of time, with minimal artificial aids and the advice of someone who knows what they are doing with a young horse!
 
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Just a thought but have you had her eyesight checked?
We had a pony with a head tilt and it turned out to be cataract in one eye.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes thanks, this was part of the vetting
 
Don't know about lunging but my horse tilts his head and my instructor makes me push him forward and then sort of control the outside shoulder. Can't really explain but seems to work.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and for taking the time to help me. Charlie55 I have just bought that bit after your recommendation and will let you know how it goes.

Thanks once again, guys, really supportive and lots to think about.
 
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