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traceyell

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advice needed please i have a cob x rising six and i am having real problems riding him he is ok in walk but as soon as i trot he just comes back at me and wont ride forward into the bridle i ask gently for him to relax and give but he wont and as soon as i give an inch he takes a mile i have had his teeth done and back checked i am riding him in a rubber pelham as i dont think he likes any sort of joint i have an instructor as well but she is at her wits end as well i am now making excuses not ride as i dont enjoy it as it ends up a battle of wills help please
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A pelham doesnt sound like the right sort of bit.....if he doesnt like a joint, you could try him in a happy mouth (straight bar) snaffle - it's a lovely soft bit! Unless you are using the pelham because he is strong? I'm not sure from your OP whether he is pulling you, or lagging behind the bridle....
 
hmmmm, well maybe the bit isnt the problem then. I've not had this exact problem before, but I used to have a gelding who star-gazed - he too was very strong - and his neck was so set that I would end up with ears in my face! It sounds like you need to encourage your boy to work long and low; he is setting himself against you, which will make his whole outline very tense. Do lots of stretching with him; dont worry how you look - drop your hands down to his shoulders and play with the reins, encouraging him to come down and stretch. Lunging may also help - it will get him working free without the burden of a rider - but I know it isnt always possible to lunge frequently. It would be easy for me to say put him in a Market Harborough / bungee etc to help bring his head and neck down lower, but having done this with my Mickey, it didnt really get me anywhere. Beyond that I'm not sure!
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Roundings are not ideal (although I dont wish to criticise - I used to use them!); if you can manage two reins, you will get the full effect of the pelham. Otherwise, you may as well be using a snaffle, for you are not benefitting from the Pelham in the way it is designed for you to!
 
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Roundings are not ideal (although I dont wish to criticise - I used to use them!); if you can manage two reins, you will get the full effect of the pelham. Otherwise, you may as well be using a snaffle, for you are not benefitting from the Pelham in the way it is designed for you to!

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Agree entirely, I used to use roundings but using two reins is by far the easiest way to get the best out of a pelham, much more sensitive. You will soon get used to using two reins if you practise.
 
That is probably part of the problem, I personally hate and abhor pelhams used with roundings, it can be a very harsh bit and is probably what is making him shorten his neck and come behind the contact so to speak. I don't mean to be harsh but if you cannot use two reins with a pelham, then you should not be using it - sorry, I am genuinly not having a pop at you, but if your intructor recommended this combination, personally I would change the instructor.

If he does not like a jointed bit, you could try a french link or a lozenge, this does not have the 'nutcracker' action that some horses object to, if he is very strong you could try a hanging cheek, which gives the tiniest bit of poll action to help with the brakes, this is all assuming that you have had his teeth, back and saddle checked first as he could be evading pain.

Good luck I hope everything works out well for you
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Sorry - just re-read your OP and I see you have had his back/teeth checked and it is a rubber pelham - apologies, but still would suggest the bits I mentioned as you can use them with a single rein, pelhams (even rubber ones) used with roundings are much harsher than those used with double reins.
 
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i have tried a hanging cheek and a french link he did exactly the same but with less brakes and just leaned

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It sounds to me that he is not going forward properly, although it is really difficult to tell without seeing. Personally, I would push him forward regardless of where his head is, just 'think forward', it could be that he is dropping onto his forehand and rushing because his balance is not all there yet and he lacks confidence, if you can get him forward in a rythmn (try counting to your rising trot) this should help, once he is truly forward you can then start working on his outline.


I hope this makes sense - feel like I'm gabbbling on a bit
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thanks your making perfect sense the only problem is when he tanks of as i push forwards do i let him go or pull up and start again
 
Keep pushing forward, this takes guts as all your instincts will tell you to pull up, try to keep your own balance (keep counting in your head), ignore where his head is, and try to slow your rising rather than use the rein, it won't happen overnight, but he will eventually gain in confidence and balance, be happy with small improvements to being with.

Seriously, if your instructor cannot get a tune out of him and cannot help you fix this (temporary
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) problem, I would consider finding someone else
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These blooming cobs, hey? I have one and they can be a pain in the ar*e sometimes!

Firstly, change instructor. I would the minute mine said 'I'm at my wits' end' and stopped trying to help.

Secondly try a myler bit. Only thing my cob likes, they are brilliant for helping horses accept the bit. This site lets you try them out: Myler bit bank.

When you're in the school (I wouldn't recommmend it on a hack if you have trouble with brakes) let go of your reins, just hold them at the buckle. Legs, legs, legs (backed up with a tap of a schooling whip if necessary) to get your horse working forards. Stay in walk if you have to, until he goes nicely. Then a few strides of trot, again loads of leg (pony club kicking sometimes does the trick
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) and no hands. Once he is going forwards nicely let him go back to walk as a reward.

Oh and make sure your posture is completely relaxed even if he acts like a sh*t! My boy gets very tense if I do, and we wind each other up.

Sorry can't offer any other advice, good luck.
 
I'd second riding on the buckle in the school, I've tried it with a few horses with similar problems, forget about the head completely.

Rather than counting the trot try singing out loud, it relaxes you both and encourages you to breathe. There once was an ugly duckling for trot and nellie the elephant for canter. Keep your leg on and control the speed by slowing your rise.

Practice making downward transitions without using the rein, you will find that he starts to drop his head naturally of his own accord.

Everytime he speeds up or tanks start singing slow the rise and keep the leg on, he will find your leg reassuring. you are probably taking your leg off the minute he scoots at the moment which may well panic him as he will feel "abandoned".

Good luck.
 
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