Leaning onto the bit - removing flash helped?

tankgirl1

tankgirl1

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Hiya

Boyo is usually ridden in a myler ported comfort bit, flash and running martingale.
He leans terribly down onto the bit on his forehand, my co loaner and I are having lessons on schoolmasters to make sure our basics are up to scratch, and that we are riding in the same style, before we move up to having lessons on Boyo.

We are both 'experienced novices' and can count the number of lessons we have hitherto had between us on one hand!

Well Boyo had a small graze on his chin the other day, so I removed the flash (which is always done up loosely btw), and then owner mentioned that he probably doesn't need martingale either, so took that off too.

Got up top and set off up the field and he was full of beans jumping into trot and showing off like he was a stallion :p

However, once we got up to the schooling field, he felt a hell of a lot lighter on the mouth than usual, not leaning down as much. He wasn't 'on the bit', thats why we need lessons, but he felt a lot lighter and more forward going. He doesn't snatch the bit, or cross his jaw or anything, he has been in a flash since owner got him as a 5yo. He does play with the bit a lot though, but thats good right?

Could a flash/martingale cause him to lean forward so much?

So glad I tried him without!

The gorgeous fella himself!
 
Yes, I believe so. I haven't used a flash in years. But never say never. In racing we used them a lot on horses that would open their mouths. A horse can't breathe through their mouths but some of these were then not regular in their breathing and so this could help. But that was at speed and a regular rythym in breathing was important. At any rate I found them a hinderance for most of what I was doing with non racing horses. Some do not mind them and it's fine. But like you've found it can make a difference when off.

Please note I'm not saying people can't ride that use them. They can make a difference to some horses for the better.

Teeri
 
One of mine used to lean heavily on the bit and my instructor advised that I should remove the flash. This worked but then sometimes she would then tuck behind the bit which felt nice for me put looked awful for a dressage judge!! We use a drop noseband now which seems to tick both boxes :)
 
Yes I think so. I know horses who go a lot better in a flash, and some that hate them.

You might find, depending on whether it is a high or low port myler, that it was pressing into the top of his mouth with a flash on, where as without he can just keep his mouth around it comfortably :)
 
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