need help-hard mouth

[perfectpolly]

i have had my girl for a year now, and believe me when i say we've had our ups and downs, but now we adore each other and i wouldn't be without her.
when i got her i used a sweet iron snaffle for the first month, but after being taken off with on more than several occasions i talked to previous owners who said kimblewick.
however having ridden in it, she throws her head up and hops when cantering, thus throwing me forward and taking off again. i could stop her in this bit, but her head would be so high-even with a running martingale on. she gets VERY excited when cantering and just ignores the bit when asked to stop. found she liked a d-ring copper roller bit, but not strong enough to stop her and i had to see-saw the bit to get her to stop on more than one time, made her mouth sore at top of lips--now feel bad that i've hurt my girl as i never want to, but can't find a bit she likes.i have tried a wterford, french link, pelham, eggbutt snaffle, tom thumb ( but that had copper bumpy bits on it which again would rub her sore) at present trying a french link dutch gag. she schools perfectly, listening to aids etc. teeth and tack checked. have looked into hard mouths, but not sure she has one--just gets too excited for her own good. she has a small mouth, large lips , big tongue, and i think low pallet.
i think she is tb X welsh( but definately more tb judging by her speed---and i used to ride a friends ex- racehorse, and compared to him my girl could win the grand national!) i just don't know which bits to try as i'm running out of money on useless bits!!!!!!she is perfect on the road, excited and joggy on grass/ common. please help as i'm a mum and need brakes!!

 

[kanter]

I'm sorry, but there's no such thing as a 'hard' mouth. Horses' mouths are very sensitive, and the hardest pullers usually have the most sensitive mouths.

Your post concerns me. Rather than bit-hopping can you get someone more experienced to help you re-school your horse and work towards achieving a more harmonious partnership?

 

[Elle123]

have you had her back checked? it sounds like pain to me. Once you have had that cheacked i would suggest wat i have my girl in (she is very similar sounding to your girl, sensitive in the mouth but still can be a little strong at times, such as jumping + hacking). I ride her in a happy mouth (very important with sensitive mouthed horses) revolver 4 ring gag. It is great because you can have it on the snaffle ring for a softer action. but even when it is on the next hole down it is as gentle as you need it. You can also use it with rounding or even 2 reins (not that i have ever needed to do this)

Also lots of schooling is wat has helped my girl. Not just in the school but on a hack. pole work to keep concentration. and lots of serpentines and changes of rein and her to relax into it. Also do you have a ridig instructor you could ask? because the person i got my mare from was completely wrong about. she said to "ride her like a gelding and be firm and take no nonsence". She is actually a very sensitive mare who you have to work with not against.
hope it helps!
Luv Elle
x

 

[AnnaandStella]

Maybe try a kineton nose band?

They're great for horses who pull when they get excited as it acts on their face rather than just their mouth.

Also agree with the reschooling!

 

[hellybelly6]

I agree with the reschooling, saddle, teeth and back check as well and maybe some lessons (no disrespect to you) but somebody on the ground may see something you havent noticed before.

It takes 2 to pull and for both of your benefits, I would suggest trying these first before going for an increasingly stronger bit each time.

 

[niagaraduval]

I agree about checking her back.I would suggest a Pelham, i used to use one on my horse, Now I'm using a happy mouth, fulmer. He goes well in it, (better than in the Pelham) but will soon be going bit less. I've heard bit less bridles can stop even the most strongest of horses. It's really worth researching!

http://www.bitlessbridle.co.uk/

 

[Ellies_mum2]

We have Ellie in a bitless bridle and I find I have more brakes now than in her happy mouth. Only have to squeeze the reins lightly to get a response from her now whereas before she would take hold of the bit and set her neck.
Big improvement

 

[perfectpolly]

Thanks for all your advice--back, teeth and tack all checked. tack fitted by qual. saddler etc, so all good. first things i checked!
we school once a week, and she is a dream to school, sensitive and resoponsive. doesn't put a foot wrong. she just gets too excited when cantering on hacks and just gets faster and faster and i just neeed some brakes.as i am a happy hacker.
to kanter-- i didn't say she had a hard mouth-just that i had looked into it but didn't think she had one. i do understand your response and i already have lessons booked on her in the summer months with a qualified instructer. compared to how she was a year ago--she is now a saint, and we have a good partnership. we are steadily working on our issues , and whilst i may not be the most fantastic rider, i do care about my horse and her comfort.
trying a gag as i can ride with 2 reins--so use snaffle most of the time and gag bit when need brakes!don't want stronger bit--only brakes.
i don't like trying new bits---but how else can you find a suitable bit?? i can tell within aschooling session if she will get on with it.
have been looking into bitless bridles and am very interested!!!
which one do you have ellie in ?
my only concern with one would be if she got over excited and took off and i couldn't stop!
i saw on the dr cooks website that they offer a months trial and if not happy give money back--just put off a bit by the high price. i know you can get cheaper brands--but do they work?
i would definately try it if i heard some success stories to give me confidence.

 

[niagaraduval]

Libby's also do a bitless bridle. It's a fraction of the price of a dr cooks.
Search ebay they normally have some really cheap stuff on there. There are loads of success stories on the website i gave you above. There are also many people on the forum who find their horses are better in a bitless. I will soon be using a bitless! I'll update on how it goes! Help this helps!
Here's a few links i thought might interest you. (copy and paste into your web browser)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STUNNING-bitless-b...id=p3286.c0.m14


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leather-Bitless-Br...id=p3286.c0.m14

 

[hellybelly6]

The Dr Cook bridle is very good and it hugs the head as they say, it is very unlikely she will or will want to run off with you in one of these. Read the testimonals on the website.

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

She sounds EXACTLY like my old TBxWelsh. Can't belive how similar they sound right down to the high head carriage, the fleshy lips and large tongue/low pallet, the jumping up and down etc

Best thing I found for mine was a halfmoon snaffle for schooling (the port kept the bit off her tongue) and a kimberwick for hacking and XC. Sorry you haven't found the kimberwick sucessful - did you try one with a port?

I used a standing martingale or a harbridge when hacking my pony as well so she couldn't get her head up. She was, like yours, well schooled and well behaved in the school but as soon as we got out and about she'd just get SOOOOO excited she lost all ability to focus and listen. And being a typical welshxTB she had boundless energy so when she wouldn't stop, I'd put her on a circle and wait for her to tire... and wait... and wait... eventually I would be SO exhausted I'd give in and end up hauling on the reins to pull her up again. Used to drive me crazy cos, like yours, she was great in the school...

Sorry, not sure what to suggest other than using a standing martingale with the kimberwick. Good luck tho, those TBxWelshies are the best fun if you can get on top of them

 

[Damnation]

Get an instructor and reschool the mare. Have her teeth, back, bridle, and saddle all checked. If they are all good then happy days you know you can eliminate those causes.