Over bending

[RhiannonE]

Whisper has finally learned the art of going in an outline, working through his back and generally looking and working lovely. The only problem now is he tends to over bend sometimes (usually when tired) to evade the bit/working properly I guess.
It was suggested that I use his pelham (he's currently in the mildest myler snaffle) which i usually only chuck on when we are going for a gallop with others - to "uplift" him. My only concern is that if I school in the pelham it will deaden his mouth??

 

[charlie55]

I would have thought it would make him more over bent?..

 

[Silverspring]

I would stick with the same bit and kick on into the contact when he drops behind the vertical. It's a common trick they learn after learning that coming down onto a nice contact is good they thing. Pushing forward into it and not letting them slack is the best counter IMO and they quickly realise they can't skive by tucking their head in! Nip it in the bud quick though as it's a nightmare when they do it on hacks

 

[TURBOBERT]

Work forward into elastic contact - not a rigid one. If he steps under more with greater activity behind the problem should go away.

 

[mik]

Also if he is tired, then you have your own answer there.

 

[Silverspring]

[ QUOTE ]
I would have thought it would make him more over bent?..

[/ QUOTE ]

The curb pressure is supposed to discourage them going behind the contact.

I say supposed to as it really depends on the hand that are using it, if you haul then the severe poll pressure can make the horse drop totally behind the bit (as in chin on chest) which relieve's some of the poll and curb pressure. I suppose it's the same as most bit they are as good as the hands that hold them.

 

[RhiannonE]

Best get my spurs on then haha! He's quick off the leg but when he gets tired he's really dead (and that's when he over bends) so i guess what you say makes sense - he's trying to say i'm doing it right honest mum without getting that impulsion from behind so if i get him forward then he wont do it!
Don't think i'm in danger of that happening on hacks yet though - he's a nosey bugger and really steps out and takes everything all in! x

 

[ester]

I wouldn't use a pelham, I suspect it might make him worse although mine doesn't over bend in his. I would be tempted to maybe try something other than the myler though. Occasionally my boy will start to get a little over bent. I will do a couple of schooling sessions in something I know he will take forward, for him I use an eggbutt snaffle and keep him a little above the bit. (I do tests at the mo in a loose ring with or without a link depending.) I have found that he backs of even the kindest myler, though not go over bent as such. He is quite a strong boy or can look it but I wouldn't approach a jump in either of his mylers cos he backs off them too much (one is the plain myler comfort snaffle).

 

[RhiannonE]

True - he's quite fit & has quite a gruelling fitness routine but he doesn't have much stamina, was told that Conne's weren't built for it - not sure how true that is!!! So when schooling he does get tired after about half an hour and that's when we usually try and end it on a good note and call it a day.

 

[RhiannonE]

Thanks guys - i'll leave the pelham for now then!

I do like the mylers because they fit the shape of the horses mouth better - I did actually try Whisper in several types of snaffle before opting for the Myler and he def works best in this now. He needs the independent side movement and barrel to stop him leaning on the bit, before he would just not bend at all! Funny how different things work for different horses - my TB loves his french link, i tried him in a myler and he wasn't as comfortable.