snatching at the bit - advice please!

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kombikids

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lovely new horsey (3weeks today) is super in all ways but she tends to get v heavy in my hand when schooling and also when we are hacking she can snatch at the bit so the reins run thro my hands. she does it if she fancies a nibble but also when we are blasting round the countryside!! shes in an eggbutt snaffle at the mo, instructor helping with lots of exercises but would a different bit help?

thanks!!

also my other horsey that has colitis is coming home tomorrow from horsepital, v excited!
 
Maybe try a waterford snaffle
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You could try swapping to a waterford mouthpiece for schooling sometimes, nothing to get hold of and can give them a lift, or consider whether you are riding forward as positively as you could be
 
Try a bit with a link or lozenge. Single jointed bits can pinch the tongue and bruise the roof of the mouth. Look to see how much room she has in her mouth too, she may need a thinner mouthpiece
 
i would try and solve the problem before changing the bit. i know several horses who do this due to their lack of respect to their rider, rider having a heavy hand and horses showing discomfort, horses hunger needs
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and horses knowing by pulling their heads down, they can unseat their rider or pull rider out of the saddle.

one of my previous horses did this and ever time she done it i sharply pulled the rein up and gave her a tap on the shoulder. she stopped within 2 or 3 rides. i think sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind once you know that the horse isnt in pain.

ooO also, if youve only had her 3 weeks, she might be testing you out to see what she can get away with
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good luck!!!

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J x
 
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one of my previous horses did this and ever time she done it i sharply pulled the rein up and gave her a tap on the shoulder. she stopped within 2 or 3 rides. i think sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind once you know that the horse isnt in pain.

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J x

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And how exactly did you know the horse wasnt in pain? Maybe you caused more pain by yanking it in the mouth?
 
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And how exactly did you know the horse wasnt in pain? Maybe you caused more pain by yanking it in the mouth?

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because i had the vet out to check her back and dentist out to check her teeth. she wasnt in any pain what so ever and i didnt 'yank' her in the mouth, i resisted her pulling and pulled up the rein. she stopped, i didnt have to change the bit, and she had never done it since.
 
When she snatches, put your leg on and push her into the contact, so she doesn't pull you forward. Don't pull back, this will make her worse. Praise her when she softens. My old TB tried this but soon stopped after consistently doing the above. Agree with previous post that perhaps she is trying you out!
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[ QUOTE ]

one of my previous horses did this and ever time she done it i sharply pulled the rein up and gave her a tap on the shoulder. she stopped within 2 or 3 rides. i think sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind once you know that the horse isnt in pain.

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J x

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Sorry but you may call it a sharp pull but i all it a yank. I personally think that there is never any excuse to pull the horse in the mouth. And i dont understand how that is being cruel to be kind? What benefit does the horse get from being pulled in the mouth?
 
thats what my instructor says to do - it works in the school but out hacking she really pulls me. she is definitely trying me out - not in a nasty way, but just seeing what she can get away with as shes a clever old dear!
 
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Sorry but you may call it a sharp pull but i all it a yank. I personally think that there is never any excuse to pull the horse in the mouth. And i dont understand how that is being cruel to be kind? What benefit does the horse get from being pulled in the mouth?

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firstly, i would never 'yank' my horses mouth. maybe i rephrased that wrong as taking up the rein sharply in my head means gaining a good contact very quickly.

secondly, the pony only ever done it on a long rein and she done it because she new if she did, she would snatch a mouth full of grass. she has stopped, i never had to change her bit and she is now ridden by a tiny 8 year old and gives her no trouble at all. the pony is healthy and well and happy, she is not in any pain nore was in any pain so with out knowing the full story, please so not judge me.

you do not know me or my horses (who i know very well) i feel knowledgeable enough to know what they need and when they need it and in moments of doubt i have two very good trainers who i will openly turn too.

(sorry about spelling
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it generally goes out of the window!!)
 

I am rather surprised at some of the replies to this post.
If you are finding your new horse becomes heavy on the bit when schooling,the FIRST thing you must consider is that he lacks the muscle and fitness to carry himself properly for any length of time.Snatching at the bit can also be a symptom of
the same thing.
School him gently and bring up his fitness level gradually(not draw reins or side reins please).Pulling him about will not help,nor will a stronger bit.
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yes that is also what my instructor said - we are taking things slowly as she is unfit. however for hacking a different bit could be useful.
 
Mike007 - a Waterford mouthpiece does not equate to a stronger bit - in fact one could argue that it is kinder than a single jointed snaffle. It is just a different feel in the mouth and therefore recognised as a response to horses that have a tendency to lean on the bit.
 
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yes that is also what my instructor said - we are taking things slowly as she is unfit. however for hacking a different bit could be useful.

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The question is "usefull to who,you or your horse".If,your horse is in discomfort through its neck and you force him to maintain his head carriage he will resort to other means to ease the discomfort.You will need to allow him to strech his neck(but not slop along,he must still be going actively forward).
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