Noseband and Bit help please!

[SamiiBellex]

I have a 15.3hh Irish cob and she is very strong... We have had all sorts problems including bolting, leaning on the bit, snatching the reins and threatening to rear. Bolting was the most recent one although it was a couple of months ago so I changed her bit (which I had been planning to do anyway). Basically the question is, do I change to a grackle when I've already got her in a Dutch gag with a flash? When I'm jumping her, she gets really strong and will run out of jumps and nap for the gate and has bolted too but I'm not jumping her at the moment. And when she gets strong and tries to turn, she crosses her jaw. Hence the grackle as the flash isn't working too well... But would the grackle and the Dutch gag be too much? Should I soften the bit and go for grackle? It's only when jumping does it become a major problem as when I'm just schooling she's strong when cantering but it's getting better so I don't want to change anything yet. Sorry if this doesn't make too much sense. It's not a major problem right now, I just need a bit of advice for the future

 

[Fides]

Just a though but have you had the saddle checked and her back checked by a vet?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Do you have an instructor who could help?
A good person on the ground to observe & advise would be prob the best way to get to the bottom of the problem.
When you say bolt, do you mean she sets her jaw/neck & pigs off for a half circuit etc? (which some cobs are very good at doing)

The rearing 'could' be an adverse reacion to a strong bit, coupled with the mouth being closed, hence the final evasion from her..

My current mount was in a 3 ring gag with 1 rein on the bottom ring & a tight flash when I got him, now hacking & flat work schooling safely in a french link, tho has a Fulmer waterford for jumping, so he cannot grab hold of the bit so easily & tank. I have spent a lot of time in working out what suits him/me best tho.

Honestly, I would seek advice from someone who could give you 1st hand assistance, good luck

 

[SamiiBellex]

Saddle and back have been checked but will be getting them both out again soon so will get her done too. My instructor genuinely said that my mare terrorises me all problems listed happened before bit change although the running out still happens and she is still strong but it's mainly the jaw crossing - I will start asking people I know and see why they think too

 

[Fides]

Was her back checked by the vet? Has she had X-rays? A 'back person' can actually tell you very little

 

[be positive]

I assume teeth have also been checked?

As for the running off etc, I would get some help with re estabishing the basics, get her listening more at walk, trot and canter, go back several steps with jumping to poles on the ground until you are really in charge and she knows it, before moving onto proper jumping,, if she starts taking the p you should then have more tools in the box to enable you to get control back.
The spiral of horse taking charge, rider losing control will get worse if you do not go back to a point that means you are back in charge and the more they are getting away with the more they will continue to behave that way, it may be that she is actually unsure or lacks confidence but by getting the basics sorted will help whatever the cause.
Crossing the jaw will be less of an issue once she slows down, relaxes and starts to soften to your aids.

 

[SamiiBellex]

Yep had a 5 stage vetting done when I first got he and the back checked at a later date by vet and chiropractor... Also I have been having her teeth done every 6 months because they were really sharp when I got her and after next time it will go to once a year, And that is what I have been doing hence not jumping at the minute but I didn't think of it like that, I will work on her understanding as well