Methods of controlling a strong horse?

[binky652]

Hia, so basically I am loaning a 15.1 hh gelding who is about 8 years old? I have ridden him for a while now and am finding him to be very strong and speedy. He gets very excitable when we are in the school, but mostly at his worst when we are out hacking. As soon as we are in an open space his head goes straight up in the air and he is difficult to control. When we canter he manages to get faster and faster until I feel out of control, I have tried half-halts but they don't work when we are cantering, I don't want to use a harsher bit than a snaffle, any suggestions? thanks

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Are you having lessons with this horse?

I used to own a very strong Fell X and he came in a snaffle. I had to haul on the reins to pull him up and it was not nice at all, so I put him in a kimblewick. In that bit he responded to much lighter rein aids so the 'harsher' bit was actually far better and kinder to him. So if your instructor recommends a change of bit, don't discount it out of hand.

 

[Hoof_Prints]

Nothing wrong with a stronger bit if it's used in moderation, and it shouldn't affect your schooling in a snaffle. I hack , hunt and jump in a Pelham but school and sometimes jump at home (if I can't be bothered to change the bit) in a simple lozenge snaffle. He's become much softer in his snaffle since wearing the Pelham as he's gotten out of the habit of fighting and listens instead now. Hauling on a snaffle will not achieve much apart from a sore mouth and a battle

 

[binky652]

thankyou very much, Im not against strong bits, but of course I would like to see if there was any other options. I may book a lesson in a couple of weeks time and will look into bits such as the kimblewick. Thanks for your advise

 

[binky652]

Yes, I totally agree I used to ride my other pony in a Pelham and she responded very well to it. I just wanted to see if there were any other options and wanted to try something different before changing bit. A lot of people I have spoken to in person have suggested to use my seat to slow him down, however because im a lightweight 15 year old its easier said than done! thankyou for your advise

 

[juliette]

My new mare is strong and so far I have tried the following:

1. 2 weeks being schooled by an expert
2. Lessons both on her and schoolmasters
2. New bits

the combination of these 3 has been remarkable. She is now learning to bend, and if she is really silly and strong we do circles both before and after a canter (after to bring the adrenaline down, so canter, canter circle, trot circle then walk circle and walk to continue hack)

We went from a snaffle to (eventually) a rubber Pelham - instructor gave me several bits to borrow until we found what suited her best.

Varying work, so schooling, hacking alone and hacking in company. Practice some schooling moves whilst hacking - emphasis on bending. For example go down track in a snake if that makes sense.

Don't yank on her mouth, sit deep in the sit to stop and gently use reins - i am getting better with this but it does take practice!

 

[WelshRuby]

I use a waterford with cheeks on my strong cob which is working a treat. Previously he was in a vulcanite pelham which wasn't working. I also school on hacks asking for flexion mostly.

 

[Hoof_Prints]

If the horse sticks his head in the air, you might want to start with something like a Pelham so the curb pressure (although the horse may not like that, you will have to find out!) encourages his head down for control. If you are conscious of keeping him in a snaffle then remember you can use two reins, and use the top rein for snaffle effect and keep the bottom one for emergencies. A lot of horses (mine included) will get faster and faster due to lack of balance, try work with canter poles and collecting the canter so the horse can hold himself together easier. Canter circles, slowly decreased the size while maintaining the correct flexion will also help

 

[L&M]

Do you use a running martingale to stop the head going so high?

I would also recommend a rubber pelham - I have cobs who would be tanks without one of these, and because they respect the bit, they have stopped pulling, and are so much nicer to ride.

 

[chestnut cob]

Nothing wrong with a stronger bit when needed - better to have a stronger bit you only need to take on pull on, than a snaffle which you end up sawing his mouth out with.

Mine goes in a NS snaffle most of the time, but got a bit heavy and lean-y over the last couple of weeks. It was really a schooling/ evasion issue, but being basically a big pony, he worked out he could lean and get away with it. So popped him into a full cheek waterford for just a few days. He realised quickly he couldn't lean on that, and combined with plenty of flatwork schooling to remind him of his manners and pick him up off his forehand again, the leaning stopped. Five days later he was back in his snaffle and not leaning. So stronger bits do have a time and a place, and can be useful to remind cheeky ponies of their manners.

I think lessons will help a lot too.

 

[binky652]

thankyou for your advise, am really considering a few lessons so I can get an idea of what an instructor could help me out with

 

[Annagain]

Not sure where you are but goole Mark Smith Hold your Horses and if he has any clinics in your area go to one. It was a real turning point for me and my very strong boy. Basically it's all about using body position to slow them down - not seat as such as he recommends standing in your stirrups - but by being "up and back" you're not unintentionally driving with your seat (I was) It takes practice but it really works. I now just go into the "up and back" positition and say "woah" and he stops......most of the time!