Problem pony..long...and...horse bolts with rider with no hat...

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Apalacia01

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Hi all.

I posted a couple of weeks back that I was having problems that my pony is really leaning on the bit. Well, I have been doing a bit of work, and have some more 'answers' which may help with any ideas. By the way, I will be having a lesson soon, but money is very tight at the moment (so tight, I may have to turn her away for a month before I lose my temper..)

So, she has been on loan for the past year, doing really well. Was being ridden in a hanging cheek (which she was from time to time before also). I took her back and changed her back into a loose ring snaffle. She is not strong, but I have been finding that if I ask for any collection (or in fact just tighten up the reins for a contact), she gets very heavy...on one side only (right). I know that I am weaker on this side, and have found that if my OH takes a hold of that rein whilst walking, she immediately starts working. Also, once she realises this, she will then continue to work better. But....once her head comes up, she twists it to the left, therefore making it very hard for me to get any collection, or in fact her head in a straight line.

I have been waiting for a waterford hanging cheek to come, but it hasn't arrived, with the intention that she won't be able to grab it. I just feel that it must be my weakness which is causing this, and I end up fixing my hand by my knee to get some leverage (I know...). I really am trying not to lose my temper, but its really frustrating as she had been going so well before she went on loan.

Also, anyone else's feeling very well at the moment? I got tired of trying to school her yesterday, and went for a hack around 'the big field'. After a lovely canter we came around a corner, and she just went 'yipee' lets go up/down/up/down. Then......I saw (as did she) what I think was a girl (WITH NO HAT) obviously bolting across the fence around the riding circuit (2 miles, gravel, off-road). Pony spun around....normal, but she then was up/down/up/down with front feet almost at my OH's knees! Should really have checked the person on pony was ok, but, mine would have taken off in hot pursuit.. and, that would have led to more problems. Haven't heard anything yet, so maybe she was just going for a gallop!

Eugh...anyone, ideas? Thanks if you got this far. I have a guy coming tomorrow to hop on her, costing a bomb, but very good. Will leave her in loose ring until then.

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have you tried her in a french link or similar, by the sounds of things you've had her a while so you may have noticed before if she has this problem, the joint of my loose ring snaffle was hitting the roof of my ponies mouth when ever i took up the rien or asked him to stop, slow down, turn etc, he then started putting his tongue over the bit to stop the pain, you never mentioned this so presume your pony doesnt do it, i changed mine into the french link and the difference with the double joint was amazing. just a thought!
 
Sorry to state the obvious but have you checked;
Teeth (for sharp edges, especially on the right)
Bit - does it actually fit her or is her tongue too large/mouth too small for it to sit comfortably. Is it fitted correctly?
Back - she may be resistant due to saddle pain.
Your hands - maybe you tend to 'hold' with one hand more than the other (I do with my left, despite being right-handed).
Finally, if your horse leans on the right rein, then the problem stems from the right hind - you need to get her working through from behind evenly, which in turn will lighten her right fore and hence the contact. So lots of suppling work, leg yield, shoulder in, etc should help.
S
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My vet came up last month and said teeth were fine - saying that, they hadn't actually been done in a while, but he said there was nothing sharp and was quite happy with them. Having tried her in the hanging cheek a couple of weeks ago, I may get a different person out to have a look, as she went the same in it (previously she had been very good).

S- Yes, I think that I do hold onto my right hand more (or maybe my left, as that is the stronger arm...). You mentioned a problem behind - she has had bone spavin, but is sound, do you think it could be soreness there? That would be a major problem......(end of pony...)
Poo.

Will hop on her tomorrow, get this guy on her, and see what he thinks. May be another pony MOT in order. I am hoping that I am just cr*p!

Got to go to a lecture now, but hope can get some more insight while I am out.

Thanks for the responses.
 
My mare is very similar - very heavy in the hand and particularly so in one rein, although hers is the left. The reason I mention it is that she also has bone spavin, and my understanding is that because she is uncomfortable behind she is unwilling to take her weight on her hocks, which means that she goes very heavily onto her forehand instead. She is also the same whatever bit I try! I imagine this may be what is happening with your girl
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Sad to say I haven't found the solution yet either although she has had injections etc, but thought it might shed some light on the cause?
 
Pony has totally fused, but, yes, that would make sense. Oh well, will keep trying different things, may stick her on the lunge with two lines and see if I can get her working from behind a bit more, if not, well, I like hacking and going in straight line!
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Echo what everyone has said about getting the dentist - I would do this before trying any stronger bit.

It could also be that she is weaker muscled on the spavin side and that she genuinely finds it difficult to bring that hind through which could make her heavier in the hand, if you also tend to hang onto the rein that would only make the matter worse - try opening the rein in the direction you want her to bend to (whilst keeping the outside rein) this will help and encourage her.

Good luck, but would advise that rather than spend the money on a new bit - invest in some lessons or failing that, do you have a friend who could be your 'eyes' on the ground?
 
Yeah, I know about teeth, but as I said, vet has just (4 weeks ago) been out and said they were fine, and none were sharp.

Sirena - only problem is that I am so weak on that side, my arm collapses...I'm going to have to go to the gym aren't I!? She had spavins in both legs
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I think we both need to build up strength - hmmm....could cross my hands ...(hehe...)

Will try and book a lesson tomorrow, and see what they say.
 
Ther vet may have seen the teeth, but think about getting a dentist, they spend years training and studying the horses teeth, whereas a vet only spends a fraction of the time learning about equine dentistry.

This is from previous experience... my mare used to exhibit pain while eating, and was always gobby when ridden... vet came, checked (had to sedate... grrr (long story but she really didnt need it) anyway, finished and said all was well. Symptoms didn't go away, so got dentist... so many things the vet had overlooked, including a gum infection... and this was from an equine vet from a well known practice... was not impressed.
 
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Yeah, I know about teeth, but as I said, vet has just (4 weeks ago) been out and said they were fine, and none were sharp.

Sirena - only problem is that I am so weak on that side, my arm collapses...I'm going to have to go to the gym aren't I!? She had spavins in both legs
frown.gif
I think we both need to build up strength - hmmm....could cross my hands ...(hehe...)

Will try and book a lesson tomorrow, and see what they say.

[/ QUOTE ]

You might have a point about crossing your hands! Have you tried crossing your reins over at the withers so they are in the wrong hand? That can be a useful exercise, and if she responds better then you know it is your hands not her!

Katt
 
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