Strength Of Bit V Age Of Horse/ Eventing

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randira

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Obviously in the ideal world all horses would ride as light as a feather in a plain snaffle and noseband - however that isnt the case.

My 5 yo mare is the boldest, cockiest little horse you have ever seen - she will jump anything / go anywhere but she has next to no respect for bits (and we have tried a few) she will go ok for a while and if she gets bored/ carried away she will just set herself against the bit. We have tried giving taking/ transitions etc, but on a clinic with Graham Fletcher he said she is just taking the p*ss as in she knows how to go nicely but chooses to ignore me when she chooses!!! I have been very firm with my aids and very soft - recently put her in a straight bar pelham (rubber) riding off the top rein only and she was a diamond for a few days - then she lost respect for that too!! My next thought is a hanging cheek waterford. I am sure that she is going to be a fantastic eventer (thats the plan) but I need to keep her between leg and hand otherwise she is going to be a rubbish eventer and there is no way I would be able to hold her together in the dressage in just a snaffle as she naps towards exits and gets all leany and unfocused going towards/away from them. So are some horses naturally 'stronger' in the mouth than others or is it because my mare has rather too much 'personality' ?! Help or at the rate we will be in gags by the age of 6!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to get her to respect my aids rather than think she can just do her own thing.
 
Sienna was always like this as a youngster. As she's gotten older she's become easier and easier. It's obvious that further schooling will improve your mare - but it doesn't help you going out and doing stuff now.
To a degree, I would want to solve the problems you describe on the flat before doing much else, but in the meantime I would certainly experiment with different actions, rather than bits which are more severe.
 
My gelding is a bit like this. He is getting better, but everything lasts for a matter of weeks before he gets wise and strats messing about again!! I do think it is a young horse thing, and they are just testing to see what they can get away with. Waterfords are good bits, and don't be afraid to move away from a dressage legal bit for short periods of flatwork until she understands what is required, then change back as and when necessary.

I also found changing back to a seriously soft bit like a nathe helped for short periods, as it took focus off having something to pull against. Hope that helps, and makes sense!?
 
Oshk is still like this, and he is at the age where he should be knowing better. Bek has me swapping constantly from two more servere bits for fastwork, one of which has a waterford mouth, which he does like, and then two soft bits forschooling/hacking. I am now trying to hold and slow him with the speed of my rises, which seems to be having a really slow, but very deffinate effect.
 
Thats a very useful excercise regardledss of how strognyour horese is, and definitely takes pressure off half halting through their mouths all the time.
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hmmm had the same problem and (still have) with my 7 year old (then 5 yearold) who is just like your mare, he is light as a feather in a loose ring snaffle for dressage but put a jump in front of him and the only bit i can hold him in is a cheltenham gag, its a bit i can be light with him in and have breaks when i need them - love the bit and it really really suits him. He has always been in it (well since he was 5) and he doesnt have a mouth of iron and he still has respect for it
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Some horses just arent bothered about hurting their mouth. My mare is the same although she is ridden in a bradoon as we do dressage. She will happily fight all day long and isnt bothered. Its as though her stubborness takes over in her head and she feels no pain.

I would probably try a different bit, it is kinder in the long run than a long hard fight. Hopefully then as she starts to grow up and her training develops she will become easier.
 
How about trying the myler combination bit - long or short shank. Lots of poeople swear by these although my horse hated it. You could then use the dressage legal Myler bit for the dressage bit and she may be fooled into thinking the combination was still on !

I think you really to need to explore which works best for her either poll action, nose action or mouth. Maybe you will end up with two or three options that work but that you can switch around to keep her on her toes.

Good luck, finding the right bit can be very tricky.
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Hi -

have a myler combo - total waste of money for my horse - I would have better brakes and steering in a headcollar. I'm sure they work great for some horses but never have for mine. She does seem to prefer poll/curb action so will investigate. Have spent far too much on bits in the last few months, so need to e-bay a few before I do. let you know what I find - just for record - teeth, back and saddle all checked regularly - just a very healthy happy bouncy 5 year old!!!!! Glad its not just me though - perhaps she will grow out of it and stop arguing x
 
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