show pony - bitting question

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peaceandquiet1

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Been at show today and judge said pony needed stronger bit and to use flash except when showing. Currently using eggbut snaffle. At shows though still safe tends to put his head up which rather spoils the effect and today he was called in first twice and second once only to go down the line after his individual show. At home he is sensible but does not work consistently in a good outline it has to be said. Daughter gets training from dressage trainer. Could we put him in a pelham. What do people think? Daughter is 11 and pony is 13hh and 6yo. Or do we have to use side reins all the time? All advice and help welcomed. I don't like flashes but may need to make an exception if necessary.
 
i dont know if this works with anyone else, but if i have any troubles with a horse not holding themselves right, a few weeks lunging in a possa or similer sorts it out for me. 90% of the time i find its having the lack of muscle to work in a contant outline and this will build the horse up in the correct way. you havent mentioned if your daughter has control when she rides. if she has brakes and he doesnt seem to object to the bit, my guess is its either muscular related, schooling related (ie not been produced correctly) or pain related.

however i have no idea on the horse and if a judge recommended a stronger bit upon actually viewing your horses way of going and has ruled the 3 options out above, then their opinion is better then mine.
 
He works reasonably well at home, can work beautifully but think partly it is the rider who lacks the sufficient strength to keep her own position consistently. He is easy to stop, he just sticks his head in the air at shows and acts like he has never seen a corner before! Do take the point that he may benefit from more groundwork, as he has been a late developer.
 
A pelham could work, at shows, but if you go into novice classes you need to have a snaffle, plus using a flash may work at home but as soon as it comes off,the problem will start again. It is proberly down to him not being balanced so i would suggest lunging with a bungee or chambon. I'd also do lots of transition work whilst ridden and transtions within the gaits i,e lenthening and shortening the stride, this will help get him onto the bit and work properly from behind and develop his balance.
 
Thank you all. Have Wilkie so will try that, plus more schooling, and fingers crossed. Judge said he ought to be at the top of all the line ups, so onwards and upwards!
 
HMM1 I could have written this last month: we have the same issue, pony with head in air, just turned 7yo gelding but v young for his age (not done a lot before we got him, had him since the winter), he's sensible but not consistent, 11 year old daughter, ridden in snaffle, comment from a judge etc. We've actually (with the dry weather and hard surfaces) abandoned shows for a few weeks, daughter has been focussing on schooling with her instructor and only yesterday she was grinning like a cheshire cat saying how good he was now. Am sure it will go to pot a little due to her nerves at the next show but I can see he will be a LOT better than he has been, simply due to the fact he's getting schooled daily now it's the hols
 
My daughter rode again today with all the feedback from yesterday ringing in her ears. We had a Wilkie so put him in that but she also concentrated much harder on sitting up and improving the consistency of her contact and the pony was really responsive. I am going to train her myself for a bit because its me who sees how he goes at shows and she has become confused by her trainer as to how he should go.
 
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