In Hand advise please - biting

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mrsh2010

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Morning all,
My sister shows our TGCA (Gypsy cob) in hand. She is a 4 year old RSPCA rescue, she is stunning and all the judges really like her, however unfortunately during the trot ups shes consistantly tries biting my sister, which loses her the class. Even the judges have made this comment.
Shes only got a narrow mouth and is currently shown in a straight bar.

Is there any other suitable bit we could show her in to help stop this. Or any other advise please?

She isnt backed due to the rough start ahe had.

Thanks in advance
 
She may have had a rough start but that is behind her now and biting needs to be stopped, she may be teething so if she finds having a bit in uncomfortable then take it out and stop showing her until the teeth have come through, no bit is going to stop this happening it is down to the handler to correct her.

I would practise at home, as long as her teeth are ok, and ensure your sister is totally confident trotting her up, she needs to be in control at all times, keeping the reins short enough, use a pair of reins rather than a coupling for more control, having the outside rein slightly shorter to keep her head completely straight or even turned a little to the outside will help stop her turning towards the left and being able to take the opportunity to bite, if she still manages to turn round then she needs to meet either an elbow or the cane rather than something soft like the sleeve of the jacket, a couple of bites into a hard cane may be enough to stop her along with the handler being more confident and firm, use a really strong growl to accompany the correction and praise when she trots up well, no treats at any time in the ring just a bit of paper rustling when stood up to make her alert.

A bit with a double joint may give her something more interesting to think about, I would also start doing a little work with her, if she is well enough to look the part in the show ring she should be strong enough to start some ridden work or at least get going towards doing some soon she may well be bored and more than ready to be doing more in her life, get her going so she can show under saddle next season and you then will not have to do the inhand classes.
 
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