Little Dilema

[Taffieboy1]

OK

So have got myself a 14.2hh Welsh x TB
Lovely lad, he's a 2nd pony.
The girl I got him off hacked out in a Pelham, 2 reins, and martingale.
Schooled him in a Wilki and martingale.

Now I am not one for gadgets, so have removed the martingale, Pelham, Wilki.
And using a regular bridle, no nosebands, gadgets nothing, and a Happy mouth snaffle.

OK, so he constantly jogs, pulls, throws his head about, brakes are OK ish, but deff not immediate.

So a little advice please, is there anything half way between the Wilki & Pelham, that will give me better control with him ? Don't want to revert into a Pelham and martingale for hacking out or schooling.

Please note this Pony was always used for Jumping, and hacking is prob new ish to him also.

The girl tells me would'nt hack out on him without the Pelham in as it made her feel safe, but I think for a 14.2hh lad its to much really. He is very spooky and flighty at just about anything, sound or movement, and if we see a dog, woo hoo were off, at one hell of a speed.

Thank you for any help & advice.

 

[chestnut cob]

Well if the horse is taking off at the sight of a dog, you, he and all the other road users need to be safe. That is paramount. So personally I would stick the pelham back in for hacking, use the snaffle in the school until you have established manners and the stop button. Once you've done that, then you can look at hacking out in something milder. Remember, just because the horse is wearing a pelham doesn't mean it is a problem. The bit is only harsh if your hands are. And if the horse is running away without it, you need it until you can establish its manners in a snaffle away from the road.

 

[Taffieboy1]

Hi

Chestnut Cob,

Thanks really appreciate your advice, yes was thinking as you advised, for my own safety & security too. Am a 42 year old guy, so don't bounce anymore I break :-(
Would you consider a Kimberwick against a Pelham or not ?
The Pelham he came with is a jointed Pelham, which am told are pretty useless anyway.

 

[Tobiano]

Hi Taffieboy1 this might be a bit 'here we go again' but his behaviour could be pain related - back, saddle or teeth - if you could arrange to get those checked if you havent already IMO that would be a good idea.

I had a mare who could be strong, and hunted her in a rubber pelham with 2 reins so that I had the extra brakes if I needed them. Worked brilliantly.... but they are all different!

I agree about the woo hoo there is a dog - really would be a good idea to desensitise / despook him if you can maybe with some in hand work.

and if you are not very bouncy do wear a body protector!

 

[Taffieboy1]

Deff not a here we go again. Had back checked & teeth, got new saddle fitted, 17" but was still bit jumpy, so changed saddle to same one but in 16" my ass can fit lol, an I personally think myself, he's a lot calmer & better behaved too, may just be my imagination but I feel he is. Teeth & back were all fine too. Slightly arthritic in left hind, but v v slight.

 

[AmieeT]

I have a 14.2 Welshie who's headstrong and ride him both in school and on a hack with a dutch gag, he also wears a martingale- but only because I was told he needed it. I've never used the third ring (I am a novice) but I use the snaffle ring in the school, and usually on a hack, but now and then I use the second ring (Like if he hasn't been exercised in a while).

Gives me extra brakes when needed without having to change bit. x

 

[texel]

Taffieboy congratulations on the purchase of your new Welshie.

In my experience, horses and ponies which live life in the fast lane have been taught to go this way by humans. Somewhere in the past your welshie may have begun acting in a fizzy manner due to pain and discomfort and the solution at the time was probably to change the tack in some way without thoroughly addressing the underlying cause and thus this probably continued until the pony and rider ended up in a catch 22 situation.

Despite you removing all of the superflous tack your welshie is still anticipating particular pressure and he is offering the behaviour which he has learnt best helps him to cope with the pressure from the tack being used.

Yes by all means try different bits but the only way you will gain control of your pony is to retrain his brain. This is achieved by starting back at the begining with ground work exercises and building up to ridden work and hacking.

There are some very good basic excercises one can do which helps with despooking and all of the shenanigans which can occur on a hack as a result.

Have you thought about this at all ?