Putting head down after jumps

[jcberry]

wasnt reallly sure where to post this, im sure you lot can help me.

We have owned Oscar (cob) scince Febrary this year. He has been off with a sidebone all summer, so he has only just got back into work about a month ago, and has started jumping.
When we first got him he had a tendency to put his head down and go towards the fence, the gate, person in the middles, another horse...etc. He did this when he dcided he didnt want to do any more work. We fixed the problem just before being diagmnosed with sidebones, so he had to have all summer off.


Now we are starting to jump, and he has got back into the habbit of putting his head down again. mainly straight after jumps, so he catches you leaning forward and almost going out the side door. Today i had to jump with no position at all, i had to lean back over the jumps, so not to get pulled out of the saddle. This isnt doing anything for my position and definatly not his. Sometimes he does this putting his head down thing when we are schooling too. The thing is, he had stopped before the holidays, now gone back to do it, and he does it quite often, he probably did it about 10 times tonight.

Is there anything i can do to teach him not to do this? i have tried daisy reins, but he is strong and can pull through them.
Any ideas?

Thanks Sophie x

 

[frannieuk]

I'll be interested to read others opinions on this one. Firstly, are you sure he's not doing it through lack of fitness or discomfort? Also, what bit are you using,and are you giving enough with your hands over the fence. If its none of these then I've found getting your leg on pretty sharpish usually brings their head up pretty quick! My youngster went through a phase of putting her head down to her knees after a fence, I got into the habit of getting my leg on as we landed and it seems to have cured it! As I said, this worked for me but I will be very interested to see what others say

 

[Zebedee]

My old pony used to do this. The answer was found in the form of a kimblewick bit. This resolved the problem to the extent that after a while we were able to put him back in the snaffle.

 

[jcberry]

He's in a snaffle and he has a very sensitive mouth. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Hi, I read your post. Before you go spending money on different bits, which can be expensive & you can end up with a box of them that are no good to you, try speaking to a quality instructor about your horses behavior. They may be able to suggest some schooling that will sort it. If the cure is to change the bit then speak again to a specialist. Contact Heather on the below website, she is a specialist, she worked for Sprenger & left to set up Neue Schule. She is a mine of information & will be able to give you quality advice. I am not connected with the company at all, just a satisfied customer. Good Luck

http://www.neueschulebits.com/