**help please

[loisrhodes]

my 6 yo horse evades the bit and has a 'tug of war' whenever asked to slow down. i realise this is partly due to schooling and training, but i believe he is uncomfortable more than anything. he is currently in a copper roller, is too strong in a snaffle and over bends in a dutch gag due to poll pressure. any ideas?

Also does anyone have any experiance with bitless bridles - i am considering buying one for him but, i don't know if the poll and nose pressure may just cause him to over bend - something he is prone to.

Thanks, any info/ help greatly appreciated. as well as any schooling exercises or experiances.

 

[wipeout]

QR Has he had his teeth, back and tack recently checked?

 

[Mabel98]

If you have had teeth etc checked, try the Micklem bridle. My horse sounds simliar to your's and this has made a huge difference to her. I finally have control and a happy horse! The bridle also comes with bitless options and a DVD guide

 

[Little_Miss_1]

Hey,

Firstly, you say he feels 'uncomfortable' - usual blah blah, but have you had teeth/back/saddle etc checked? Painful teeth can often make for a battle with the hands.

If so, I'm usually enclined to school youngsters in as little as possible - with the thought that if they can support themselves and be responsive in a mild bit (I tend to like a happy mouth loose ring snaffle) then they will be able to work better and to a higher level in future. To do this with yours, it sounds as though he needs schooling exercises or maybe an instructor to get the best out of him. Alot of half halting and flexing from bend to bend would get him listening and the half halts would make him responsive and prepare and balance him for transitions.

If that doesn't work and you do need something more in his mouth, I'm very 'pro' bittless bridles, but if you are finding the horse is overbending in a dutch gag, you will probably find the same with the bitless as it does work on poll pressure.

If he is 'evading the bit' by putting his head up (but the gag proves too much poll pressure) you could try a hanging cheek snaffle. If he leans on it but the roller is not enough, you could go towards a waterford. But if you could solve your problem through schooling, it would obvioustly be the best solution!

Good luck!

 

[Chico Mio]

I use a Dr Cook. I got it originally because my FB was a RS horse and ridden in a Pelham. It was obvious he hated it but until I bought him I couldn't change anything. We went to a hanging cheek, French lozenge, revolver, which he loathed. I gave up and bought the Dr Cook and he has had it for the last three years.

Almost certainly, he had teeth issues, but rural Spain is not awash with EDT, or even vets prepared to float teeth, so the Dr Cook was a blessing until we finally found someone to do his teeth.

The Dr Cook acts on cheek, poll and nose. Some horses throw their heads up and down to start with, but usually settle after a while, although some never do settle and they are not for everyone.

I find it tends to make them poke their nose up to begin with, as a resistance to the nose pressure, rather than overbending to the poll pressure.