Inconsistent contact...

E

Evil_Cookie

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Hi...
I suppose this is about both bits and schooling... my mare is a stress head, and while I'm schooling her she can bob her head and tense on the bit, if you try to increase rein pressure she gets more tense and adding legs just increases speed as she goes out the front door... I was wondering if a different bit may help... she opens her mouth too, but flash straps and other don't help, just prevent her opening it fully and tensing up. She's currently in a kk ultra loose ring, and plays a lot, she doesn't go well in single jointed bits... She jumps in a waterford loose ring, but for schooling she doesn't like to take the contact in it. She can go in a beautiful outline but in the last few months has been more stroppy (only way i can describe it) she takes offense more easily and i feel like I'm tiptoeing around her when riding. Her back is fine and teeth are due a 6 month check up but last time were fine... no sharp edges etc... I don't think its her teeth... as she usually shows tension eating when theres something wrong with them and currently she's fine...
Sorry to write an essay, but I don't know what to do with her... I'm avoiding riding her because I'm always riding at night so have to go in the school and these days everything seems to turn into a battle.
Any help appreciated...
EC
 
Hi,
If your horse is fussy in her mouth you might find she goes better in a bit with a fixed ring, eg. and eggbutt or fulmer, but TBH it sounds like your problems are schooling related rather than due to discomfort in her mouth particularly. Have you tried a drop noseband? Sometimes they can be better for horses who resent the restrictions of a flash.

Riding-wise, I've just posted in CR about a gobby horse I rode for the first time last night. My approach is to ride them through it firmly when they get rude. I close the hand and ride forward strongly from the leg. When they soften and come round I soften the hand as a reward and take the pressure off while still riding through from behind. With this i mind I would do lots of simple circles, changes of rein etc in trot which will also help with flexion and suppleness.

I have heard people say good things about a product called flexi-reins which have an elastic insert and which apparently can help with an inconsistent contact or a horse that likes to lean - try google for some more info!
 
It sounds as if she hasnt accepted the leg, which means she will just shoot off. Agree with donadea that its schooling more than bitting problems.
Perserverance is the key!
 
Thanks, I'll ask if I can borrow a fixed ring... maybe a change will give her something to think about... worth a try...
Thanks for your help... will book a lesson this weekend and see if we can sort this out... I wonder... are there any good books out there that give exercises to do? then we have something to do rather than focusing on it... which I think I do and then it makes it worse...

Thanks again
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EC
 
I would suggest some lessons. Both me and my partner are having lessons off someone who teaches the Mary Wanless way. Bit complicated at times, and it hurts a bit, but it is soooooo much better for the horse, and they relax. If your horse is sensitive, then a tiny shift of your weight could make a HUGE amount of difference. I am now having to re-learn the rising trot, after 27 yrs of riding, as it would seem that I come down a bit heavy in the saddle. Of all the instructors ive had, no-one has ever addressed this, and now i have an extremely tense horse, I am having to look to myself for the solution. I have tried the usual back and teeth checks, changes of bit, adding a sheepskin half pad, excercises, lunge work etc etc to no avail. I am convinced that I am the problem. Whilst I am a perfectly capable rider, I obviously cause some sort of problem for my horse, hence the tenseness. Yes, some of it is in his head, but I now know there are steps i can take to make him more comfortable, by improving my seat and posture.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wonder... are there any good books out there that give exercises to do? then we have something to do rather than focusing on it... which I think I do and then it makes it worse...

[/ QUOTE ]

I really like the 101 Schooling Exercises. Lots of ideas in there with diagrams and clear descriptions, and categorised by difficulty and what you want to achieve.
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I know you ahve said she doesnt like a single joint, but recommend trying a JP snaffle. They give them more room in their mouths, and they seem to accept them really well. My boy can be a bit sensitive, but really likes his full cheek version of this and is confident to take the contact forwad in it. Def worth a try, they are only about a tenner too
smile.gif
 
Thanks guys
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Will have a look for the book.

What makes a JP snaffle different, I've not heard of them before? And where would I find them?
 
It has a single joint but the bars are curved to relieve tongue pressure and stop the nut cracker action, but it stays stable in the horses mouth as it only has the one joint....
 
Is she actually strong when you put your leg on and she runs out the front door? Or is her head carriage too high?

I think you need to focus on 2 things;

1/Getting your horse into a more relaxed frame of mind. Because if there is mental tension and anxiety there this will always show in her body. I feel that there is a lot of tension involved here from what you are saying. I would be inclined to keep her head occupied by doing lots of different exercises, transitions, loops, circles, and maybe some lateral work - to keep her focused. If she starts to relax she should naturally start to swing through her back and become more rideable.

2/ The other thing is to concentrate on leg to hand. This is always the correct way of going. If she gets tense and you apply too much hand you will effectively have the hand brake on. I'd be inclined to really get her going forwards. Take up a contact but use flexion and exercises to help her soften to the inside.

One other thing - I know it is incredibly difficult, but try to stay consistent in your aids. Be calm and firm but try no tto get stressed as this will add more tension into the equation.

Good luck!
 
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