Pony strong in dressage test

[kellylouise1992]

Hi im not sure if this is a tack question or a competition question so im sorry if its in the wrong section. My Pony is a 14.3hh connemara x gelding. He Tends to be lazy at home and when he gets to a competition he is very strong and I struggle to hold him in the dressage. He is in a hanging cheek copper snaffle with a lozenge which he seems to really like with a flash noseband. He is normally warmed up for 40mins. Is there any way i can get him to not be so strong. Would a drop noseband/different bit help? Any help much appreciated thanks

 

[ThePony]

How does he show his strength? Does he set against your hand? If so I wonder if he is on the forehand rather than strong so much, esp if you get a little stressed and tense and so block a little through your elbows? Esp if he is prone to being a bit lazy at home!

A loose ring could be a little better as slightly more movement but schooling and giving him nothing to set against in your hands will be more effective. My mare isn't a mega fan of a flash, just a loose caversson, she is prone to taking every little opportunity to being heavy/leany and strong if given even half a chance! If he is feeling strong it is worth just checking yourself that you aren't accidentally propping him up and do keep your leg on. I find that good old shoulder in or shoulder fore is handy for lightening and getting acceptance of my leg when she is feeling a bit of a monkey lol!

 

[kellylouise1992]

he tends to set against my hand and tries to take the bit from me. I tried to do a test without the flash but he opens his mouth a lot without it and was marked down for trying to avoid the contact. Cool I will try that and he what happens thanks very much