new brakes.. (bit long sorry!)

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SarahRicoh

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Well since iv had my boy we've had some problem.with brakes but mainly due to his tendency to bolt.
Hes improved greatly and im really pleased with him :)
Had him.in his hanging cheek snaffle & he went nicely in it for a while... Then he started to lean & got to much jumping, so i put him back in his tom.thumb (with flash).. His martingale (did have a standing) has been off for a while now.
All been fine but today went for a hack with anothr lady from my yard :)
Havent really hacked much in company so really he was a good boy but...
To cut a long story short. 1st canter in a field hes normally perfect in he jumped around launchsd into canter & took off past the lady on her horse & up the field. Only stopped cz her mare was good/gate.
Gave him benefit doubt. After that every trot or canter just resulted in him tanking off with the bit doing nothing & it was a little dangerous. Hes an excitable but sensitive chap.
I just need to know iv got brakes.
His schooling hes much better & im going to hack out much more in company but even alone he can be strong & jumping and as i want to xc him i need to rethink his bit.

So any ideas? I thought try a grakle too as slightly different affect to flash (he does open mouth).. Anythibg designed to encourage head down (poll pressure?)would be good as he chucks his head up when hes excited..
Sorry for essay :)
 
What bit did he have when you got him?

You've taken off his standing martingale which was intended to stop his head coming up too far. I'd be inclined to stick that back on.

If you're desperate to change bits and can ride with two reins I'd suggest trying a pelham for hacking.
 
I've had good success with waterfords as they can't lean on them to take hold - but mine have all done the opposite and head down to tank off! But may be worth a try.

I'd put the standing martingale back on too, even if just for a couple of hacks to get it into his head he can't throw his head to tank off. Hope you get it sorted soon!
 
Firstly, he's NOT bolting. He's tanking off with you, there's a big difference.

I would also recommend a rubber Pelham. My old boy tanks off on a regular basis, I tried all sorts of bit but when I changed to the Pelham we didn't look back. He does still sometimes get away from me though :rolleyes:
 
Jennbags- i never said he was bolting.. At the start he most definitely was bolting. Thats why owner sold him & hes very nervy. Yes now its tanking off im sure i said that .. The standing martingale had barely any effect & he is actually worse as he panics when he throws his head up & is restrained... Im going to get a running martingale..

He came to me in the tom thumb with the hanging cheek. I swapped to hanging cheek as i dont like having strong bits..

But he really does need something for jumping/hacking company.
I cant ride with two reins :/
I thought maybe a kimblewick?
 
Before you go changing bits etc. have you thought about the fact that the temperature dropped a bit yesterday, they all seem to have that ‘spring’ feeling at the moment and he isn’t that used to riding in company.

It may be worth giving him the benefit of the doubt for a bit to see if he settles naturally.
 
SarahRicoh said:
Jennbags- i never said he was bolting.. At the start he most definitely was bolting. Thats why owner sold him & hes very nervy. Yes now its tanking off im sure i said that .. The standing martingale had barely any effect & he is actually worse as he panics when he throws his head up & is restrained... Im going to get a running martingale..

He came to me in the tom thumb with the hanging cheek. I swapped to hanging cheek as i dont like having strong bits..

But he really does need something for jumping/hacking company.
I cant ride with two reins :/
I thought maybe a kimblewick?
Click to expand...

Actually the first line of your OP comments on his "tendency to bolt". However I assumed you were exaggerating because you thought you could stop him with a stronger bit. You wouldn't be able to if he was a bolter.

Had you considered a Market Harborough? Then it's only in use as much as you want / he needs. Which is of course the reason for using a pelham, until you need the curb rein it should not be in use. Couldn't you get your instructor to teach you to ride with two reins?
 
Sorry post ob not clear....
I bought him as a horse prone to bolting... Nd it was most definitely bolting... Hes done it to me once. It was just nerves & confidence.
Now hes much better & hes always been a lot more confident in company. Iv never bothered with a strong bit before as nothing will stop them when theyre bolting..

This isnt bolting anymore.. He was just over excited & was trying to race. But i do need brakes as dangerous when there could be people/dogs etc around...

Whats a market harborough? I thought about trying a hackamore but never really used one & ud want to try one before...

I could learn to use two reins i suppose... Do.most people think a pelham would be a good try?
 
You don't need 2 reins with a pelham OP, you can get roundings like these :
images


Sorry to pull you up on the bolting, you did state in your post that he was bolting, then later that he was tanking off. It's just one of my little bugbears when people say their horse "bolted" as most of the time the horse hasn't ;)
 
SarahRicoh said:
Jennbags- i never said he was bolting.. At the start he most definitely was bolting. Thats why owner sold him & hes very nervy. Yes now its tanking off im sure i said that .. The standing martingale had barely any effect & he is actually worse as he panics when he throws his head up & is restrained... Im going to get a running martingale..

He came to me in the tom thumb with the hanging cheek. I swapped to hanging cheek as i dont like having strong bits..

But he really does need something for jumping/hacking company.
I cant ride with two reins :/
I thought maybe a kimblewick?
Click to expand...



Go for the kimblewick, great bit when/ if you need brakes, my strong horse and pony are light as a feather in it and barely need contact, so much better than hauling around with other bits.
 
I would learn to use two reins, and use a pelham. I would not advise roundings, as they do not give the ability to use the two effects erperately, thus, to my mind making using a pelham fairly pointless.
 
i used to have the same problem with my 17.2hh ex racer ,he was rediculously strong and would tank off at any chance, i put him on the pee wee bit from old mac on advice from the bit bank and its BRILLIANT its not a severe bit in soft hands but it gives me total brakes ,and hes as light as a feather in my hands.:D
 
Thanks guys really helpful :)
Jennbags- its okay i didnt mean to sound rude back. He honestly used to bolt.. I bought him as a project pony with that issue.. Years of rough riders/bsja etc..
This however was him just tanking off... :)
As someone said id rather have a light contact than be hauling
 
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