Really struggling with a bit for my New Forest

Tarragon said:
I am still learning that one! I have really only just backed my pony and am learning as we go along. What I have observed though, is that when we are out and about in hand, but fully tacked up, he has his bit very quietly in his mouth; I only get the yawing and mouth open when I am riding - so it is me, or my impact on the bit that is causing it rather than the bit. Like TheMule mentioned, I am doing lots of in-hand exercises where you have a hand (or both hands) directly on the bit and getting them to flex their head, and then to lift their head by shifting their weight back and to lengthen and lower their head into a contact. You can tell by my poor description of the exercises that I am the one being taught. The contact on the bit is always light. You are using the same aids as you will then use when ridden, so that it all falls into place.
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Be very careful this is not a response to pain from the weight of the rider. I have a horse that was the same and assumed the same as you but it turns out it was back and SI pain
 
I do love a mullen mouth pelham, if you have one with a sensitive mouth rubber covered, or plastic. If you ride on the snaffle rein and just pick up the curb if you need a bit extra.
The other thing is to ride with your seat, and almost have little or no contact, we had a Welsh A that hated his mouth being fiddled with, and also a TB who was the same. The NF we had was very much built on her forehand so you had to control her from behind and only use the bit lightly or she would fight or fall on to your hands, the wheel barrow effect. Its easy to get tense in your back, shoulders, elbows, and then its a viscious circle.
 
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