Leaning on the bit...any ideas?

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ChestnutConvert

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My warmblood is currently in a grackle, martingale and snaffle, he doesn't seem too strong to me but chews and leans on the bit. Would a different bit help, if so which one? Also would changing nosebands help?
 
What kind of a snaffle? If it's a single-jointed snaffle, I would change to a cavesson noseband, as I hate the thought of a horse being poked in the soft palate with the mouth strapped shut.
Why does he wear a grackle? Does he cross his jaw? If he doesn't then he certainly doesn't need a grackle and if he does the reason could be that he is uncomfortable in his mouth with the current bit.
For a horse which leans in general, I find that the best way to deal with this is to refuse to carry the head for them. Drop the contact completely and make him carry himself. Often a different bit will help. Many horses lean because of discomfort.
 
Thanks for that, to be honest i'm not sure why he's in a grackle i wouldn't really saw he crosses his jaw to my knowledge, little that i have! I don't own him but have some say so will look into changing noseband and/or bit.
 
If you feel he still needs something over his mouth you could try a drop??

Toffee used to do this when she got wound up or excited (its a welsh thing) I found that even out hacking asking for shoulder in with a really exaggerate aid helped as she then had to carry her shoulders right if that makes sense?

If I was in a safe area I used to just chuck the reins at her and ignore trying to get her in an outline. HOWEVER this then taught her neck rein somehow accidently.
 
My horse was guilty of leaning on the bit. I was advised to try her in a loose ring waterford and we have never looked back.
 
I have my 'leaner' in a waterford too! he loves it! most of his issue is that he gets on the fore hand then expects you to pick him up (hes croup high, built totally down hill and heavy in front) so as a previous poster said i just have to drop the contact so he rememebers to pick himself up instead of relying on me.
 
Has he had his teeth/back/saddle checked recently? Best to eradicate any problems first before you start thinking about changing bits etc
 
Remember that it takes two to lean! I understand that when you're schooling it's impractical to simply drop them so why don't you try moving the bit slightly when he starts leaning. I don't mean saw at his mouth, just a little movement to bring his head up. He will soon get the idea that when he carries himself he gets a nice soft contact instead of a heavy one.

I agree with Pearlsasinger in that he may not need a grackle.
 
How old is he? Does he look equal in front and behind in terms of his muscular development? I found that my gelding went through a phase like this, as his body was changing and was far more developed infront than in his back end. He was struggling to carry himself and balance himself. We did a lot of work on transitions and half halts and together with a growth spurt and muscular maturity, it solved the problem and he's as light as a feather in front now.
 
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