Possible bit advise??

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nuttynugget

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Hi,

I finished university in June and started riding my horse again who has only been ridden on and off by myself otherwise. After a few weeks of gentle hacking/lunging I attempted to school my horse and was faced with a problem, in walk he'd attempt to work in an outline (although I understand he has been out of work so lost a lot of his outline) and bend but as soon as I asked him to trot he completely stiffened, shot his head in the air and really leaned on my left hand.

My first port of call was to get his back and saddle checked out, as it turned out his saddle was far too narrow for his back possibly causing him discomfort. This has now been changed and I now have a saddle fitted by a master saddler so pretty sure I can rule this out.

He only saw the dentist in March and has good teeth and I had a feel around and nothing seemed sharp so thinking I can rule that one out as well.

He is currently ridden in a hanging cheek french link snaffle along with a flash noseband. I was possibly thinking of either changing bit or possibly using a training aid such as a harbridge? does anyone have any advice or experience?

Thanks!
 
I would take the flash noseband off, I find most horses hate them as they clamp the mouth shut, as you have ruled out the saddle not fitting and had his backed checked I would get his mouth checked again I know you said they were checked in March but it was 6 months ago. I wouldnt use a training aid if there is a chance he is experiencing pain from somewhere, you could just make it worse by forcing him into a false outline which I think alot of them do.
Hope you manage to find whats bothering him. Good luck
 
Thanks for the advise :)

I will attempt to remove the flash, he only has one because when i first got him he was always getting his tongue above the bit.. but itll try it all the same

I'll also get his teeth looked at but its not a new thing that his started doing, if i tried to school him in march he would do the same thing!!

I was hoping he'd stop doing it as soon as his saddle got refitted, does anyone think its just turned into a habit for him?
 
I know you said you have a new saddle but did you have his back checked? if his back is out he would still be uncomfortable with the new saddle, I would really reccomend a Physio you often need a referal from your vet, I have been using one as my horse went lame in April turns out he has bone changes in his elbow joint, anyway because of the lameness he put his back out and his opposite shoulder was really sore which is all better now with the help from a physio, she gave me loads of stretches and stuff to work on and I am back riding him now, I have used other back people in the past but find the physio is so much more in depth.
Some horses that have had pain even when the pain is gone will think it is still going to hurt, so it can take a while for them to adjust to being pain free.
 
I'd try and keep things simple - and agree try him without the flash. If you do need the flash, make sure the caveson is high enough to clear the soft nasal passages.

Also, how long have you used the hanging cheek? Though it's not a very severe action, it does have poll pressure which he might be objecting to... certainly my instructor didn't like me using one, she was concerned my horse would soon go behind the bit. Again, I can only talk from my own experience, but my horse has a very sensitive tongue, and the Neue Schule Team Up bit really suits him as the mouthpiece has a slightly mullen shape, so there's a really gentle, even pressure in his mouth.

My advice would be to go back to basics and see how you get on. Good luck!
 
Sorry, but I feel the need to continue pointing out that hanging cheek bits DON'T infact have a poll action.... if you watch the contact taken up on a hanging cheek, the cheek pieces actually sag, which if anything would lighten the pressure over the horses poll. Same happens with the top rein on a pelham in fact - it is the curb or a ring below the mouthpiece that causes poll pressure, due to the leverage.
However, they do still have a tendancy to make horses drop their heads....

I would definitely have his back checked, and teeth also to start. Then it may simply be a case of schooling! If he has always been like this, he might not know better.
I would start in walk, if that's what he finds easiest, concentrating on getting him soft and round, bending and dropping his head and seeking the contact. Can also use walk-halt transitions to keep him listening, introduce walk lateral work. Then when he's good with this, move on to short amounts of trot, keeping the same ideas.

It might be that a training aid is useful for a short time, just to convince him that yes, he CAN work without his head in the air. But only after other things have been ruled out.
What is he like on the lunge? Do you use any training aids then?
 
Thankyou everyone!!

He was ridden in a dutch gag for a few years, it was my dressage instructor that suggested the hanging cheek. That was 2 years ago when I was doing the odd dressage comp and he'd work nicely in an outline most of the time (even though it took me a good few months to get to this!)

The saddle fitter had a look at his back, obviously not as experienced as a physio, but she thought he had a good back, good muscle structure but was a little tight due to the ill fitting saddle.. so maybe he is still feeling a little tight.. I dont know! i wish horses could just tell us exactly what is wrong..

I lunge him in a cavesson, rollar and side reins and he goes very nicely in them.
In walk he walks in a perfect outline and even sometimes in his canter.. its just his trot!! my friend whos a more experienced rider is coming at the weekend so should hopefully be able to give me a few more pointers :o
 
Could you have a few lessons again with him, or maybe your friend will be able to give you some ideas? Definitely easier when you can see the horse & rider :)

Good luck with him, hope you find the answer! :D
 
Echo Sol, re the hanging cheek snaffle and poll pressure...... I've been told that it does not exert any poll pressure, a lot of horses like them because the mouthpiece is held (or suspended) in the mouth and doesn't sit on the 'bars' like an ordinary snaffle....

I personally like the Chambon or De Gouge whilst lunging on a horse which carries it's head high rather than side-reins..... this encourages (or 'shows') the horse to lower the head and work in a long, low outline......
 
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