Help, Horse leaning on bit

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blossom01

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I'm riding my friends horse for afew weeks whilst she recovers after an RTA.

J is a lovely well schooled horse but he leans on the bit and it gets very heavy. I struggle with this because I broke my wrist 3 years ago and it aches with all the leaning J is doing!

How can i get him to not lean is much on the bit?

any suggestions.... thanks!
 
i would say change to waterford? (but its not your horse to change bits lol ) My horse use to lean on the bit. Every time she lent on it i let go of caring her. Try this its a long process but i have found it better then putting a strong bit in her mouth. Good luck xx
 
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Is a waterford really a strong bit?

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I don't think so, especially a loose ring. It is just a different feel in the mouth.

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My thoughts exactly........
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I use a loose-ring waterford with Chloe almost all the time. I don't think it's strong either, just means I can get decent work out of her in half the time, and without losing all feeling in my shoulders the next day
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To OP - lots of half halts and transitions will also help.
As soon as you feel your horse starting to lean then go back to halt. Use your legs strongly in halt, whilst feeling down the reins to get it to let go of the bit, and then once he has let go, move off again.
I do lots of lateral work as well to help them move off the forehand, so try leg yielding down a long side or on a circle, and turn about the haunches.
 
Thanks

I don't want to change his bit, as he's not my horse.

I'll try lots of transitions and see if i can get him to listen to me more.

when i rode him last night he did a fab canter and my friend was pleased with how he went for me. so must have done something right!
 
I use my legs and get the horse to lift his head slightly off the bit and then carry on and repeat this everytime he leans.

I also used to drop the contact when he leant and this works too. Other wise you both tend to lean onto each other.
 
Would a waterford help with a horse that just tugs your arms and if you release the contact just gets faster? Like today for instance cantering in the school but having to really keep hold of her with real pulling from me, try half halting but as soon as I give her any rein she just tanks off and will keep going till she falls over? Even in trot I have to hold with so much force it's mad otherwise she just runs off with you or meduim trots everywhere! Don't you just love them!
 
I don't think Waterfords are strong at all, I think it's maybe that they look severe. Anyway, yes they are very good bits and normally my choice for faster work, however it hasn't helped me much recently
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