pulling down on the bit?

[elliegirl12]

I have a new horse which i am riding for someone, she is in a snaffle but when you pick up the contact she sometimes tries pulling down to pull the reins out of your hands, she is extremly unfit and fat and obviously is being brought back into work slowly but is this just a strength thing? whats the best thing you can do to stop her from doing this? we are not asking her for the outline as i would not say she was strong enough to hold it for long any way, but apparently before she was working really nicely and was schooled very well, she will work a little in walk, she has had her teeth done back checked etc all fine so is it her just being naughty? she is always off the leg and will never say no but could there be a reason she is doing it?, she has been ridden by loads of different people recently as owner has just had twins!, and been in and out of work like ridden once a week then not ridden for 2 by quite a few diffrent people its just me and mum riding her now, and have been for a few weeks any other ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[chrisnapthineEDT]

generally it can mean that the caudal rostral movement of its jaw in not working properly.(i.e maybe needs its teeth doing) for a quick check loer his head and look at the incisors they should be level i.e top level with the bottom then lift up his head and the jaw should slide roughly half a tooth back.if not something is stopping it so ill resist contact..
chris

 

[teddyt]

There are many reasons. ideas-

The bit isnt comfortable
A rider has pulled her mouth
She is on her forehand
Saddle doesnt fit

Once you have ruled out discomfort, etc, the best thing to do is to ignore it with the hand and just use your leg everytime she does it, to engage the hindquarters more. Never pull back on the rein or take a stronger contact, you will not win this way and the horse will get a sore mouth.

 

[JayneNMegan1]

Hi, my horse was EXACTLY the same when I bought her. She would pull so hard she would almost pull me over her head. Take heart, she doesn't do it at all now. I started by checking her teeth, which needed doing but weren't causing the problem. Then, every time she pulled I just let the reins go, which meant she wasn't pulling on anything except herself. My girl was also very unfit and part of it, I think, was her attempt to get up the Welsh hills, she was using me as leverage! Anyway, after a few weeks of just letting her go and then picking up contact again and firmly asking her to carry on, she has stopped completely! She also came from a riding school and was obviously being ridden by numerous people, perhaps one or two of them yanked on her and she was trying to stop that happening. Keep at it, your horse will be fine. One tip, if you think the bit is bothering your horse, go milder!!!!