Sudden change in twiggys work.....

[georgiegirl2]

Twig my 4yo tb has been going FANTASTICALLY on the flat in recent weeks. Unfortunately a couple of weeks ago we had to move yards due to ours selling up. Not necessarily a bad thing as our old place didnt have any grass whatsoever and we were desperately trying to get her to put weight on as she came from the racing yard very skinny, the new place has loads of grass and she is filling out nicely.

The past two times I have ridden her she has been a total nightmare, rushing off, throwing her head about and flinging it up with the slightest rein contact or asking her to turn. We did change her a bit a couple of weeks back from an eggbut french link to a loose ring french link with a thinner mouthpiece (upon recommendation from my instructor) although she has gone fine in this new bit up until the last week. Her saddle has also recently been checked etc by our trusted saddler and so for now, I'm ruling that out. So my options now are

a) new found VERY good grass (of which she hasnt seen in her life before)
b) resentment from the bit change
or
c) something going on with her teeth?

Her teeth were last checked in november when we bought her where she had a molar removed which was split down the middle.

Tomorrow I'm going to try lunging her a bit to get the tickle out of her toes before riding her in the original bit we used, and then if nothing has changed much then i guess its time to get the vet to have another look at her teeth.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling post, just trying to give the full story and looking for any advice / suggestions, thanks!

 

[Natalie_H]

My 8-y-o TB has been the same over the last week. Absolute pig to school, throwing his head up in the air & avoiding the contact, backing off etc. Took him on a "quiet" hack on Saturday and he was a total monster. However, he is looking rather well at the moment, and am putting it down to the putting him in another field last weekend with new grass. He was an angel only 2 weeks ago. Doesn't answer your question, but maybe re-assures you that you are not the only one!

 

[PaintboxEDT]

new nice green grass is always a good one to make them full of life !!
she could be fighting the bit if its new and she trying to get the hang of it if its a stronger one
or her teeth really acompanied by new bit,i think you you have sussed it yourself really just get her teeth looked over just to rule it out

 

[Binkybex]

If she is straight out of racing she probably wouldn't have got much turnout so the move from bad to good grazing would be a big change.

would advise trying to work through it, lunging before you ride is a very good idea. And it wouldn't hurt to get the teeth checked again.