How to raise head in gallop?

[Solo1]

My mare is very opinionated and has recently taken to putting her head down and buggering off when out with someone else. I don't feel unsafe but would like to stop her when I ask! I have tried sitting up and half halting but she just ignored me. She's not opening or crossing her jaw, she has a grackle on but loosely so she can still flex her jaw. Jumping isn't worrying as she brings her head up and sits back on her haunches, it's just inbetween! I have tried her in a waterford loose ring but she hated it, just backed off at the slightest touch. I went back to the bit she came in for jumping, which is a Dr Bristol, which is fine when she's by herself, but in company is just not enough. I don't necessarily want more severe, just more 'lift'.

Any idea? Thank you!

 

[stencilface]

Dutch gags are good for the head down and run type of horse ime.

 

[diggerbez]

i'm in no way a bit guru- but would something like a universal (the bits with the little bubble at the bottom of the snaffle ring) help to lift her in front? in my head i'm thinking pelhams are good for horses who stick their ears up your nose and 'gag' type bits for the opposite problem? no doubt someone sensible will be along soon with a real answer

 

[Tnavas]

A running gag is designed to do just that - lift the horses head. With two reins you can ride with it as just a nrmal snaffle and then if she gets her head down you use the lower rein which then lifts the bit in her mouth and encourages her to raise her head again.

 

[ecrozier]

Mine does this - head between knees and b*gger off! Universal gag helps a lot.

 

[showjumpergirl]

A running gag is designed to do just that - lift the horses head. With two reins you can ride with it as just a nrmal snaffle and then if she gets her head down you use the lower rein which then lifts the bit in her mouth and encourages her to raise her head again.

^^^ this.
I hunt mine in this because he can't get his head on the floor in the field, but I can use the snaffle when he's behaving and on the roads

 

[Honey08]

A running gag is designed to do just that - lift the horses head. With two reins you can ride with it as just a nrmal snaffle and then if she gets her head down you use the lower rein which then lifts the bit in her mouth and encourages her to raise her head again.

Iagree with this too. I do this with my mare. For most of the time, its just a normal snaffle.

You have to really use your legs too - which feels alien when a horse is running off, but you have to push them up into your hands...

 

[xxRachelxx]

The only trouble with gags is that if you have them on the bottom ring they apply a lot of poll pressue which obviously encourages the horse to put their head down. So it may not be ideal for a horse that puts it's head down? I would try a pelham with the curb chain quite tight

 

[flyingfeet]

A pelham puts the head down

The faux gags - universal, dutch, bubble, continental etc. Have around 1" of gag action before the poll action takes over and puts the head down. So they only work as head raisers with light contact

The running gag family are the answer for the horse that shoves its head down and runs off. There are a huge variety now and really nice mouthpieces rather than just the single joint. Choose a nelson for steering, cheltenham to avoid rubs, waterford for the leaners and barry for the gits who won't stop.

 

[Tnavas]

The only trouble with gags is that if you have them on the bottom ring they apply a lot of poll pressue which obviously encourages the horse to put their head down. So it may not be ideal for a horse that puts it's head down? I would try a pelham with the curb chain quite tight

How do you think the pelham works?

You use the lower rein, the bit tilts in the mouth, the chain tightens and as the bit can't move upwards then pressure is applied to the poll which lowers the horses head.

Snaffles raise the head, curbs lower them. The pelham is just a double with one mouthpiece.

A running gag lifts the bit high in the mouth - it becomes uncomfortable for the horse - who if sensible lifts its head up again.

The Dutch gag has minimal poll pressure as it can slide up the mouth - the poll pressure will come in when the bit can go no further up the mouth - when it hits the back teeth.

 

[Cuppatea]

when they put their head down, they tend to run onto the forehand. You need to keep a contact on the mouth but sit back and use your legs to get their bums back underneath them - you'll probably go a bit faster before you get the head up and get controll back to get slower