Still having bitting issues.......

SultanaRama

SultanaRama

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oh yes, anyone who read any of my other posts, we are still having bitting issues!
Basically for anyone who isnt upto date, o have a big 18hh hunter type, can be very strong and we have to work constantly of head carriage. had a long time out of the show ring now and is normally schooled/hacked/show jumped/hunted in a dutch gag on the bottom rings.
however i need a bit i can show in, used to show in an eggbutt snaffle, might aswell have rodein a headcollar and leadrope for how well he went in it! i was recommended to try a waterford, soi wentout a got a lose ring waterford, it didnt go well. spinning around jumping up and down, refusing to stand (so if anyone would like to buy a 6" waterford let me know.)
i double briddle end up with us going backwards, i have tried a pelham a long time ago i remember alot of backwardsness but im thinking of trying a pelham again now i no more about bits, and have a better riding technique however;

whats the kindest type of pelham i can try, and any little tips to make riding in one successful?
 
AndySpooner said:
If you cannot ride properly in a headcollar and lead rope, there is no way you should be riding in any sort of bit.
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In a school? On a hack? Round a course of jumps? I'm not sure all horses can or shoud be ridden in a headcollar or leadrope and certainly not in all situations. But I don't know the background history to this horse so perhaps I'm missing something.
 
AndySpooner said:
If you cannot ride properly in a headcollar and lead rope, there is no way you should be riding in any sort of bit.
Click to expand...

Lol i agree. You want to teach the horse to come off the pressure of the bit, not lean into it and pull. And yes, i believe any horse, tb or hunter types, can all be ridden in a halter as long as they are taught correctly. Not enough people know how to teach a horse to be light and responsive, so many unwittingly teach the horse to be heavy and strong by either pulling on them, or letting the horse lean into the bit.
 
Ive posted this a few times for people who want advise on bits. Mostly because i think its relevent to all horses who dont go well in a bit, or who are strong. im not sure if u have already read it, but i will post it up again. Since its easier than having to rewrite it all lol.

I think what is important is to establish brakes, instead of just using bigger ones. But what you have to do is teach her what the aids are. The bit is not for control, but for communication. Unfortunately soo many people think of the bit as the 'brakes', so if you cant stop a horse in one bit, they tend to move on to a stronger one, to see if that works.

What i would do is lots of transitions, walk to halt, trot to halts. But the main thing is to remember to give the reins as soon as the horse responds. People just tend to sit with a constant contact, so the horse never gets a reward for doing the right thing. When you ask the horse to stop, release the reins and reward the horse. I normally like to do this on a slack rein, this way the horse can learn to feel a very subtle change in contact. So you pick up the rein, the horse stops, you give the rein and reward. This way the horse learns that by stopping and getting the release, that they are doing the right thing. After all, horses tend to learn from pressure and release. Once the horse can halt well from a walk, try halting from the trot. as soon as the horse stops, release and reward. I normally ask for a backup straight after a halt, this way the horse learns to think STOP faster if u ask for a backup. By doing this, the horse will start to associate the stop with a light ask from the reins, (i also use a Woow voice command too), so you should be able to stop from any pace on command. Its important to have the horse light aswell. You dont want the horse to lean against you, or raise its head. The head should be low, mouth soft and relaxed, never ask for a wow or backup if the head is high, this hollows the back.
By asking and releasing, the horse will learn to soften and respond better, so hopefully if done right, the horse will learn not to tank off because as soon as you ask for a stop, they respond straight away.

Sorry for the essay, hope it helps somewhat.
 
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