help with bits

justmaybee

justmaybee

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16 January 2011
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My horse is currently in a dr bristol snaffle and is great most of the time, however when jumping she tends to get very strong,put her head down and pull me out the saddle or rush into the fences which makes it very difficult to jump a course.

I have done alot of schooling work with my instructor to try and stop her from doing this but she is just too stong and so i was wondering if anyone could suggest a stronger bit for her, but one with very little poll action.

many thanks
 
a waterford would be a good idea to try, but i'd also ask your instructor to have a look at how you are using your hands and your upper body. if you are doing a constant pull, it gives her something to pull against (takes 2 to have a tug of war, kind of thing) whereas if you do intermittent tugs, while sitting up and using your legs and seat to rebalance her, she won't have anything to lean against and tank into. i think it's one of those situations where, if they're being flipping rude, you can be rude back - a few tugs/jerks of the reins to say 'Hey you, slow down, don't tank, I DECIDE on the speed thanks very much' and then soften slightly to reward when she responds correctly. it might take a while to convince her but this works on a lot of horses.
disclaimer - i am not recommending yanking hard enough to pull her teeth out... ;) ;)
 
xxRachelxx said:
Is she leaning on the bit? If she is you could try a waterford. That way she can't get a firm grip on it and therefore cant evade you?
Click to expand...
yes she does tend to lean and just generally pull her head down, thank you very much for the reply, i will try a few bits out on her including the waterford and see how she finds it.
 
kerilli said:
a waterford would be a good idea to try, but i'd also ask your instructor to have a look at how you are using your hands and your upper body. if you are doing a constant pull, it gives her something to pull against (takes 2 to have a tug of war, kind of thing) whereas if you do intermittent tugs, while sitting up and using your legs and seat to rebalance her, she won't have anything to lean against and tank into. i think it's one of those situations where, if they're being flipping rude, you can be rude back - a few tugs/jerks of the reins to say 'Hey you, slow down, don't tank, I DECIDE on the speed thanks very much' and then soften slightly to reward when she responds correctly. it might take a while to convince her but this works on a lot of horses.
disclaimer - i am not recommending yanking hard enough to pull her teeth out... ;) ;)
Click to expand...
My instructor says i do have very light hands when riding but i see what you mean, i will try to give and take the reins more when she is starting pull into the fences. Thank you for the advice :)
 
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