On the topic of bitting a TB

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Winklepoker

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I am having a few problems of my own. My mare has a tendency to resist the contact and violently throw her head up which in turn makes her totally unco-ordinated and runs through my hand. I am forever trying to praise and be forgiving with the hand and soft with my contact knowing that she has a sensitive mouth but I am finding myself totally and utterly out of control when she throws her head. She is worked correctly through her back with regular physio, a saddle that has been fitted and teeth that are in A1 condition. I would love to hear peoples opinions/solutions/experiences with this. I can try and get a video of it to see what I mean but just imagine a giraffe that cant move its legs in any sort of order!! the rest of the time she works exceptionally well for her age.

I ride her in a loose ring french link but have tried a hanging cheek - no good (backed right off), Happy mouth straight bar - no feeling (cant really establish a good feel on her mouth - very one sided and leany) and a Neue Schule that I tried for the first time yesterday (better but still throwing her head esp in trot-canter trans)
 
Tricky one! Is she just having a grump that she would like a break from working correctly? If she hasn't been established for a particularly long time then it might just be that her muscles are still developing? Does she have a cavesson (or flash)? Horses back teeth are often wider than the fronts but at that part of the head there is less cover, some are then rather sensitive to nosebands that sit over this area. To see if this is a prob for her you could try her with no noseband or with a grakle (this avoids that area - although does press on other sensitive area, just down to each horses idiosyncrasies!) If it is just on the transitions is it that these are still hard for her, esp if she is being asked to stay in an outline? Does she have any foot sensitivity? When she puts more load through her leg when (eg) going into canter any foot or leg probs might show as grumps then?


(excuse awful spelling - can't write today!)
 
I know that I've suggested it before... but I have found that my mare is best in a comfort snaffle from Myler.

This is the one I have (not dressage legal)
full03-full-cheek-hooks-comfort_1.jpg


They do dressage legal ones too. You will need to go down a size.
 
NS verbindend in the thinner mouth peice, it's certainly worth a try, tends to be nice bit for those that are quite fussy in the mouth.
 
glosgirl said:
Tricky one! Is she just having a grump that she would like a break from working correctly? If she hasn't been established for a particularly long time then it might just be that her muscles are still developing? Does she have a cavesson (or flash)? Horses back teeth are often wider than the fronts but at that part of the head there is less cover, some are then rather sensitive to nosebands that sit over this area. To see if this is a prob for her you could try her with no noseband or with a grakle (this avoids that area - although does press on other sensitive area, just down to each horses idiosyncrasies!) If it is just on the transitions is it that these are still hard for her, esp if she is being asked to stay in an outline? Does she have any foot sensitivity? When she puts more load through her leg when (eg) going into canter any foot or leg probs might show as grumps then?


(excuse awful spelling - can't write today!)
Click to expand...
I genuinely think she finds it hard but she has also the temperament to suggest it could be a total bitchy strop which she has a few of now and again. The frustrating thing is is that on the lunge in the pessoa the transitions are much more clean so it must be something that I am doing on top that is the problem.
 
As you're aware it can be a trouble spot for her do you stiffen at all when going trot to canter? When you sit to the canter are you fully relaxed through your hips? If you take a light seat in canter and through the transition does she still have probs? Just because she can manage it on the lunge but has trouble with you up top doesn't make it your fault! If she is still a little green then she might not have the muscle strenth and balance to manage smooth transitions. On a hack is she the same? Hacking she might be a little more foward and so find it a little easier?
 
taking a half seat, she is more manageable but having a more forward seat is risking me getting smacked in the face by the oncoming head and neck! I will hack out tonight and see. thanks, very knowledgeable suggestions
 
Myler MB02 Sweet Iron.

My TB is a different horse in her Myler.

For some reason Mylers have 'gone out of fashion'. Think Neue shule have taken over the new bit to have. But have to say, the myler is fab!
 
Polo pony doesn't really enjoy taking contact either, he's a new zealand thoroughbred and if putting your head up so high that your mummy can't even nearly reach it was a sport, then my horse would win. He's the same in different bits, just a bit of a grumpy bear, because once its fitted he's fine.
 
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