should i use a grackle or a flash?

[storm123]

my horse pokes his toungue out when i try to stop him by pulling on the reins. he can also be really strong out hacking. i read that a grackle is more comfy and was what i was going to go for. but im a bit unsure now, what do you think>?

 

[Tash88]

What bit do you ride him in at the moment?

 

[Love]

Does he cross his jaw too? How is he evading the bit?

 

[storm123]

a waterford gag. but i was thinking if i got a grackle bridle, i would change his bit to a weaker one, more comfy. i was thinking a Loose Ring Peanut Flexi Snaffle
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...ffle_peanut_horse_bit_peanut_mouth-(390).aspx
apparently helps with the tongue over bit problem.

 

[Tash88]

I think I would try the weaker bit first as it sounds like he is using his strength because he finds the waterford uncomfortable; they can be quite harsh sometimes and should be used to discourage leaning rather than to stop the horse if that makes sense.

 

[storm123]

no not really, he just pokes his tongue out.

 

[storm123]

he used to poke his tongue out before. with his full cheek. hes always done it.

 

[Toffee44]

Drop noseband

 

[JFTDWS]

Why not try a flackle? Get a standard flash, position it halfway up his face and do it up real tight so it pulls down in the middle and acts like a grackle - bonus is, it's BD legal too! Score!

Oh sorry, wait, that's nonsense Personally, I'm of the opinion that if a horse evades the bit, you solve the issue rather than strap the mouth shut - so schooling, schooling, schooling. However, since you mention hacking, for safety's sake, I might try a grackle...

 

[moodymare123]

bitless? and any bit can be harsh its the person that is at the end of the reins that is harsh.

 

[Pigeon]

I hate to say it, but I have to agree with JFTD. (not that I hate to agree with JFTD lol, but that I think you should tackle the issue instead of just strapping his mouth shut!)

Schooling translates through to hacking and vice versa. What happens if you do things like lots of transitions and shortening and lengthening the strides while on a hack, does this lighten him up?

 

[Sol]

bitless? and any bit can be harsh its the person that is at the end of the reins that is harsh.

Just have to add that any bitless bridle can also be equally harsh as they still have a human at one end of the reins o.o Bitless is not necessarily the 'nice' option in 100% of all circumstances. ie. some horses despise nose pressure which bitless relies on to some extent.

 

[mandwhy]

Agree with more schooling but would try a grackle for hacking, I wouldn't use it with any type of gag though so with the bit you have in mind sounds like a good idea. I tend to avoid flashes as I don't think they are very useful for anything.

 

[tallyho!]

I'm another who agrees with the schooling... and personally... I wouldn't hack until I've established some "ground rules" (i.e. stopping from my seat, lateral work, listening properly) and practice them on shorter hacks to begin with.

All very well saying get a grackle/flash to hack in but why strap his mouth shut when you can both learn to work together on basic commands? After all, to enjoy a horse, one must train it well or else what is the point?

 

[Fallenrose]

Have some lessons with a good instructor, and then work through your options. Hopefully you will be able to establish whether it is a bitting issue, a noseband issue, a schooling issues or a rider issue (no offence meant - we all have our faults). Or it could be a combination!

This is what I did to get it right with my big, strong mare! Jumping, or doing anything exciting I have a NS Cheltenham gag. This bit allows me to stop her using my seat and leg, rather than pulling on her mouth - it is like I'm riding her into the bridle. She is in a NS hanging cheek for flatwork.

As for a noseband, she came in a flash. I tried a drop but she didn't respond well, and kept pulling her tongue back, trying to evade it. She is happy in a flash! Some horses are! For walk and trot work she doesn't really need a noseband at all. I need it for canter work, when she can be excitable - but I am working on this in my lessons and would hope to get to a point where we don't need a flash for flatwork at all.

Sorry for the rambling, the point I'm trying to make is that an instructor will be able to look at you and your horse objectively, from the outside, and be able to help and advise!

 

[moodymare123]

sol, anything can ve dangerous to a horse even a bit and not all bitless bridles have nose pressure the pressure is dispersed everywhere, its worth a try though OP if someone can lend you one!

 

[storm123]

ok, thanks guys. i dont think i would be able to go bitless, he would take the p***!!

 

[storm123]

I hate to say it, but I have to agree with JFTD. (not that I hate to agree with JFTD lol, but that I think you should tackle the issue instead of just strapping his mouth shut!)

Schooling translates through to hacking and vice versa. What happens if you do things like lots of transitions and shortening and lengthening the strides while on a hack, does this lighten him up?

hes always done it and hes almost got himself into a habit! so i thought that if he had the grackle, he would learn to stop and i could use a normal cavesson, hes very fizzy when asking him to increase the speed abit out hacking. so hes never really very light!

 

[Sol]

sol, anything can ve dangerous to a horse even a bit and not all bitless bridles have nose pressure the pressure is dispersed everywhere, its worth a try though OP if someone can lend you one!

I'm pretty sure that everywhere would have to include the nose I have looked at an awful lot of them, as I'm still trying to choose one for my Sec A who is happier bitless, & would be cautious even with the 'kindest' of them.