Rein Snatching

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V10ven

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Hi
My horse has started snatching the rains when I have been riding for about 30 minutes, he has only just started doing this & its a complete paid as it pulls me forward and I have no control. He is 4 1/2 and still learning, any idea why he could be doing this?
Any suggestions welcome :-)
 
Frustration or bordom or perhaps testing what he can get away with, are you hands any different in the way you ride, therefore effecting the contact which he may be resisting, do you let him stretch out often enough during schooling sessions?

May be linked to his mouth, for example maybe he's getting uncomfortable with his bit or his teeth may need looking at, may have some changes going on his mouth. Have you check in his mouth to see if there is any blisters etc around the bars or any changes to the corners of his mouth?

Or could due to his saddle, has he changed shape, muscled up, therefore his saddle could be pinching, but may only come to light or effect him more after 30 minutes of work?, maybe get your saddle and his back checked?

Does his bridle fit him correctly, around the poll and browband area?
 
It seems to me that he is showing you he is tired and wanting to stretch. At 4 1/2 they are still very young and get tired really easily. I was told never to school my young horse for more than 20min and allow for lots of stretching when you cool down so that their muscles don't get too sore.
 
You also should bear in mind that he could be teething, my horse started headshaking and it turned out his canines were coming through.
 
Agree with coen - I *always* give my babies a time out after 20-30 minutes. They are only young and find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time. Plus their muscles aren't developed enough, and they need to have a stretch as the muscles can be burning. Think of when you go to the gym - I always give myself 5 minutes to have a breather and a glass of water.

After 20-30 minutes, when he's been going well, ive him the entire rein, hold at the buckles and just let him have a wander. Don't ask anything of him, no turns or schooling, just let him wander around the school. Let him have a good long stretch and take the rein forward.

I pretty much always find that after this breather, they are even better on the second half than before. Much more relaxed and free-moving. A bit like warming up at a show.
 
Thanks for that people, so really I am asking him to o too much in one go, bit like my kids he has a short attention span, I will I think also get his saddle and back checked as I would hate to put him in any pain as he is really a very good boy. He bucked me off a couple of weeks ago & I put this down to him being 'stupid' so perhaps he was just letting me know that he wanted to stop although it was in the woods and he was being left behind by the other horse I was with.
Horses are complex animals & I am still learning with him so many thanks for all your suggestions
 
If he's teething, or continues to be a rein snatcher, you could try a gentle bosal - type bridle ? Also agree with just doing the short spurts of riding - doing this with my lad and I can tell if he gets tired by him lowering his head and just generally slowing down - time to get off and lead, tho I time our sessions now so am getting better at judging things.

Good luck, your boy is lucky to have you ! sm x
 
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