Help needed with showjumping mare

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cpatterson

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Hi there,
I have a 7 year old mare, I have her since she was a 4 year old and is as quiet as a lamb, recently she has been very funny with her mouth when I am striking her into a canter, throwing up her head when I take up the contact. She works nicely on the bridle at a walk and trot but recently she is resisting canter. I can eventually work her until she is cantering properly again but every now and again she will throw her head up. She has had her teeth done around 2 months ago but the problem persists, she has also got strong and wanting to take a pull where as before she was light in my hand and lovely to ride. I haven't tried changing bits or anything yet as I would like some feedback as to what bits to try or exercises to do before I start trying to fix the problem.
She currently is in a French link eggbutt snaffle and has been in the same bit as long as I've had her, she uses a Mexican grackle as well. I am a rider with only 3 years of experience under my belt so I am very novice at these sort of things. So can you tell me what things I could try to help improve her?
 
cpatterson said:
Hi there,
I have a 7 year old mare, I have her since she was a 4 year old and is as quiet as a lamb, recently she has been very funny with her mouth when I am striking her into a canter, throwing up her head when I take up the contact. She works nicely on the bridle at a walk and trot but recently she is resisting canter. I can eventually work her until she is cantering properly again but every now and again she will throw her head up. She has had her teeth done around 2 months ago but the problem persists, she has also got strong and wanting to take a pull where as before she was light in my hand and lovely to ride. I haven't tried changing bits or anything yet as I would like some feedback as to what bits to try or exercises to do before I start trying to fix the problem.
She currently is in a French link eggbutt snaffle and has been in the same bit as long as I've had her, she uses a Mexican grackle as well. I am a rider with only 3 years of experience under my belt so I am very novice at these sort of things. So can you tell me what things I could try to help improve her?
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I would definitely get her back and saddle checked asap as it sounds very pain related to me.
 
Thank you. That did acc cross my mind yesterday as I was doing grid work with her when I landed from the grid I stayed light up off my saddle (she let a buck and kick as she does) but when I sat up back into the saddle she threw her head up.
 
Yes it does sound like the saddle is causing a problem. Ideally you should get it checked every 6 months or more as horses (especially being young) change weight and shape very rapidly with seasons; so the saddle will need adjusting accordingly.
 
JennyConnor said:
I would definitely get her back and saddle checked asap as it sounds very pain related to me.
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Ditto this, I think you should definitely get her back and saddle checked. I'd get a mctimony/physio to check her back, pelvis, neck, poll, the whole lot basically, and get a saddler out to check fit of her saddle :)good luck, hope you get it sorted :)
 
Definitely sounds like tension, maybe back, maybe shoulder. I would get the vet to check over then he/ she can refer you to a physio if appropriate
 
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