Pony Pulling Head Down...Bit or Bridle?

[TwiggyL]

I have had my pony almost a year now, and as far as I know he has always been in an Eggbutt snaffle. He is an 18 yr old Welsh C. His teeth have been done and are fine.

After 30-45 mins of riding (usually in the school but sometimes hacking) he starts to pull his head down sharply. It’s usually in walk, sometimes trot, never when he canters as this perks him up. It seems to be boredom but I do always try to make things interesting for him.

I know he was ridden without a noseband previously, unsure what difference this makes? I am also wondering if he may be better with a different bit? He has super brakes and is soft mouthed. He’s never naughty or silly and is a generally good boy, just joggy sometimes when hacking. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Shay]

Do you give him enough breaks to lower his head and stretch? It might be that he is asking for some time to stretch over his back after being worked in an outline? Its important to work long and low as well as up in a frame. If you let him lower his head but ask him to keep working will he?

It could be boredom. Or a learned behaviour - he does it, and you stop. He's certainly old enough to have figured out a few things! I don't think the noseband would make any difference to this - IMO thats a red herring.

You might want to ask a qualified instructor for eyes on the ground. One the one hand it isn't good manners and you don't want him progressing that behaviour without cause. On the other if he is just asking for time to stretch a bit you don't want to force him on and risk muscle problems, or toughen his mouth by pulling at it.

 

[meleeka]

I think I’d get a physio or other bodyworker to give him the once over. It sounds as if he may be trying to stretch his back and I’d want to rule out pain before you look at behavioural reasons.

 

[Gloi]

Agree with the others. Let him stretch every so often before he gets to the point where he would be snatching down and see if that helps him.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would get his saddle looked at as well as have a physio out to check him over just to rule that out if anything, and you just never know it could be pinching somewhere and making him sore.

 

[TwiggyL]

I actually ride him in a Christ Lamfelle bareback pad, as he suffered with a sore back when I got him. He seems happy in the pad but I will definitely get him checked anyway.