Pony sets his neck, please help!

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nemo_

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When my pony gets excited, he jogs and sets his neck. He has quite a big neck and actually carries himself very nicely but when out hunting, he uses is to his advantage, sets his neck and I can't stop! He will go really nicely in his french link loose ring snaffle for flatwork and waterford snaffle for sj/xc with no problem at all. I hunt him in a grackle (his normal noseband) and a waterford dutch gag with 2 reins, one on the bottom ring, one on the snaffle. He also has a tendency to get on the forehand, and occasionally lean hence the waterford, so I put him a in gag thinking it would help lift him up but as soon as i use the bottom rein, even lightly, he drops his head and leans on my hands. This means I usually end up pulling on the snaffle rein to stop, which I don't like and especially since there's more jumping now I want to be able to get him back to me. What can I do? I'm not sure schooling will really help as it's only a problem hunting and he goes very nicely most of the time. I'm pretty sure he's not happy with the gag. Teeth, back and saddle fine. Any suggestions?
Thanks :)
 
The second ring on a Dutch Gag is quite severe and the leverage it allows will cause your pony to tuck his head in, possibly to try and get away from it. I notice you say you ride with two reins though which is a good thing! I think it's a good idea to use two reins with a stronger bit so that you can ride using the snaffle rein most of the time and only use the second rein when necessary. Have you ever tried him in a Cheltenham gag with two reins or a pelham? It may just be that he isn't happy with the pressure the Dutch Gag gives and it might just be a case of trying him in a few different bits until you find one which suits him.

Also, how are you asking him to slow down? If you just pull with both reins, he will find it easy to set his neck against you and you will be fighting a loosing battle as he will always be stronger than you. You should check him with one rein and then the other to steady him and also when you feel him becoming heavy in your hand, give and take with the rein to stop him from leaning on you.

Hope this helps. :)
 
I think gags can make a horse lean on the riders hands, more than any other type of bit. I'm not that hot when it comes to bits, but I have experienced sometimes if you go from a strong bit to something "kinder" it makes it a lot easier. I'm not saying take him hunting in a snaffle happy mouth, that would be mad( :D ) but maybe the next bit down from a dutch gag?
How about a Kimblewick? I'm just throuwing it out there really.
Like you say, its not like you can try him in them whilst schooling, as he obviously knows when he is schooling and hunting, but you'll just have to try him with different bits, and see how you AND him feel about each one.

Good luck!!
 
Have to agree with Lippyx, well she say's sane things (most of the time :D)...:D

I think you really do have think outside the box with him and try a kimblewick, sometimes the curb really helps with the extra pressure points.
 
Thanks all that's really helpful!
SS - I was thinking i might try him in a cheltenham gag, but he is happiest in a waterford mouthpeice and I can only find an NS version which is rather expensive :o
I completely agree with you lippy about how 'downgrading' can help, I used to take him xc in the gag but now just a waterford snaffle is enough, however I don't think it will be for hunting :p will add kimblewick to my list!
Thanks Sol are the kineton nosebands the ones will metal loops that go around the bit? Sorry for that appauling explanation!
 
Yep, they are :) Some horses don't like the pressure on their mouth, and the kineton balances it out more onto the nose, depending on how tight you have it there can be more pressure on one than the other as the horse prefers :)
 
Thanks everyone! Very helpful!
I will speak to my instructor asap to work out which of these will be best :)
 
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