Should I change my bit?....instructor?....!

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el_Snowflakes

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Hi guys,

My 14 year old warmblood mare leans quite badly on the right reign, so much so that the bit kept sliding half way through her mouth and my instructor suggested i use rubber guards to stop this happening so this is what i have done. Obviously this will not solve the prob. i also find it difficult to get her on the bit without lots of force from the hands (this does not mean i am not using my seat and legs- i always use these b4 my hands) I ride her in a french link, but when i bought her she was ridden in a waterford! I am naturally quite soft with my hands when i ride and i never see saw- just a wee jiggle, but my instructor has me ride with my reigns so short and using all my strength down the reigns so much so that i am constantly aching, especially in m,y right arm, shoulder and ring finger on the right hand! I have asked my instructor if this is ok, as i dont want to hurt her mouth OR create a false outline but she says its just a french link and i wont hurt her. Should i try a different bit and soften my hands? I also find it hard to get her off the forehand, she is very long striding and i do struggle to get her more compact for jumping etc. Can anyone give me some advice?

ps. she has had her teeth done (which were very sharp, but now fine so we are not sure if she is maybe used to leaning to the side after having a sore mouth in the past with her previous owner.) Her back has also been done and the chiropracter said she has a very stong pelvis and shes in great shape. Her saddle is new and was fitted by a proffessional....also we have been doing carrot stretches and she is very flexible so that is not the issue.

sorry for the long post!
 
Change the instructor!!!!

You should not be told to haul constantly. My very green gelding has all sorts of balance issues and I am in no way experienced with his sort of problems, but we get huge improvements after each lesson with my instructor, with no hauling on the reins involved.
 
thanks!

Its tricky because i everyone at the yard raves about how good said instructor is but im really not into hauling horses about to make shapes! when i mentioned it to other folk at the yard they said u cant hurt the horse, they are much stronger than you...to which i kinda had to bite my lip as i know only too well people are a sourse of pain for many horses. What do you think about the french link? anyone got any suggestions of a suitable bit (not too harsh tho, as she is a big strong mare and tended to take hold of the dutch gag & use it against me when i tried it!) Its difficult because i am alot less experienced than many folk on the yard and i dont want to be a know it all?
 
I have a 17.2 DWB who always leaned... unless I didn't let him. If there is nothing to lean on they can't lean. I think you have to find a new instructor.

Perhaps you need some new techniques.

I learnt a lot the day an instructor told me never do anything that doesn't get a reaction and equally never do anything unless you WANT a reaction. This tends to mean at first you have to back your signals up a bit (eg if the horse doesn't jump off your leg then use your whip etc) but after a very short time (ie minutes) you end up losing the negative fiddling which acheives nothing and sit stiller and have a much more responsive horse.

When riding think 'what did that wiggle acheive?' if the answer is nothing think 'What did I want it to acheive?' if the answer is 'nothing' don't do it again you're teaching your horse bad habits. If the answer is 'something' then BACK THAT SIGNAL UP. One strong signal is better than years of nagging...

Bx
 
Hi there, I'm a newbie to the H&H forum, but certainly no newbie around horses....change the instructor, please! The best judge of your instructor is your horse, she is still leaning on your hands so you need to do something else.

As 'blitznbobz' says, if your horse has nothing to lean on, they can't lean! Making your rein shorter is counter productive. Work on a long rein, forget about 'being on the bit', please, just forget it for now. Getting the horse to work more independently from your hands should be your goal now. If you don't know how to do this, get a new instructor who can teach you! (did I mention that I think you should get a new instructor?) You are right that what you are doing is adding to the problem, the horse is heavy on the forehand so you need to push her forward, get her using her back end, forget where her head is for now as long as she is not leaning on your hands. She will have to find her own balance. It is hard to retrain a horse from these habits, but with time, patience and a good instructor :) you and your horse will benefit greatly.

How about you tell your instructor to put a french link in her mouth, then let you haul on the reins. It can't possibly hurt her, it's just a french link....;)
 
A full cheek would not encourage her to lean even more, it simply prevents the rings pulling through her mouth and causing more discomfort if you have to get firm with one rein.

As the others have said, if something isn't working, don't keep on doing it!;) Nagging is just going to switch her off.

You clearly have the right idea, so trust your instincts.
 
Thannks so much for all your replies! reading those has really boosted my confidence, i now know im on the right track. I think il give the tranz lozenge, funily enough, my horses previous owner suggested that one for her as shes gets so long in front and needs to shorten up and sit back on her hocks. when i mentioned it to my YO she said it would be a waste of money! thanks again i will keep u posted x
 
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