Strong horse......Change bit????

M

Morrigan_Lady

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Help please!

My Mum has got a 17.2 TB and he can get abit strong when in canter and she finds it difficult to hold him.

We've got him in a copper roller at the moment, coz he does tend to just lean on Mum and she struggles to pull him up.

Do you think a waterford would help? I dont really want to put anything to servere in his mouth and nothing that will encorage him to put his head down!
 
I am usually one of the 'have you checked everything else. teeth. back. tack' brigade..but assuming those are all ok and this horse is just leaning into the bit and taking a hold..a Waterford is a good one to try..it has made a huge difference to my boy who had a tendency to lean in and tank off..in the school he is now incredibly light..and controllable out too
 
Has he raced?

This is exactly what I'm going through with Ty. Generally tends to be a lack of balance as opposed to 'bombing off' Ty has got better balance now but is learninig to move forward off the leg instead of scrunching himself into a false outline!

I'd personally not overbit but get back in a loose ring snaffle (only bit Ty didn't fight!) and look at the schooling.

No expert but can only go from personal experience!
 
3 ways of going about the probelm but without seeing the horse ridden its impossible to say which way to go but stronger bit should be the last resort.
1) Does he evade the bit by crossing jaw etc? If so then a flash will be as good as useless. Try him in a drop or possibly a kinton noseband.

2) Does he just learn to evade the action of a bit but not cross the jaw? If so then have a range of bits with different actions and swap on a regular basis using different ones for hacking, schooling and jumping.

3) Is he really strong or just leaning on riders hands due to lack of leg? This is often the case with forward going horses. Putting them in to an outline when they get strong will often solve the problem.

If all else fails then go for a stronger bit. I put this as a last resort because if one of the above applies then the stronger bit will only work briefly then you will be back to the same problem.
 

As far as we know he hasnt raced, but then most TB's have at one stage or another!

He doesnt cross his jaw or anything, he simply leans. He is a very big horse with a super long neck, so he just pulls Mum forwards. Ive made her jack her stirrups up a hole to help with breaks, but he'll be cantering along nice and steady, then take the bit and off he goes!!! I dont find him a problem, but Mum is only little and not very strong! Bless her!
 
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As far as we know he hasnt raced, but then most TB's have at one stage or another!

He doesnt cross his jaw or anything, he simply leans. He is a very big horse with a super long neck, so he just pulls Mum forwards. Ive made her jack her stirrups up a hole to help with breaks, but he'll be cantering along nice and steady, then take the bit and off he goes!!! I dont find him a problem, but Mum is only little and not very strong! Bless her!

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I know how annoying it is when they lean!!! I thought my arms were going to get wrenched out!

I think bearing down in her seat and bridging reins can help when all else fails!
 
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