Suggestions for a strong cob!

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lucky7

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My cob has been in work for approx 18 months now, and over the past 3 months she has become my main riding horse so has been worked for 5 days per week, shes getting fit and so far so good!! shes 9 this year - she has had stifle surgery at 6 and had a good 2 years off (12 months recommended by the vet ) i had a baby so extra time for her) and shes come back wonderfully sound!!
She enjoys her jumping and have been popping the odd log out on a hack and set up some smaller jumps in the field which she enjoys. She's very forward going and has a really fast walk, shes super fun out hacking never lazy, never spooky or nappy and her schooling is coming on (although we haven't done much of this) however she can get strong with other horses and likes to be in front, if shes behind and we have a canter across an open space she throws her head up so i have virtually no control, she just sets her head up and tanks!! on her own shes really well behaved, shes started doing this when jumping too, really rushing into it.
Today i took her on a fun ride (first one) and every jump i rode her into it was impossible to see as her head was straight up and she just took off at mega speed !! managed to jump but tbh i didn't have any say in when she took off she just went!! a few times however she ran out or swerved - i know this was because she was to busy evading the contact and didnt see the jump til it was on top of us. I ride her in a myler mullen hanging cheek bit and a drop noseband - the drop has made a massive difference to her mouth - she used to get her tongue over the bit and constantly open her mouth, also she used to have a dry mouth. Tried a drop (loose) and she instantly excepted the bit, felt softer in the mouth and has a nice foamy mouth after every ride and is much more settled. Also she has very pink skin and shes very sensitive and things rub her easily, her bit after today had rubbed the corner of her mouth slightly and i feel so guilty!! my shoulders are also aching as she was so strong.
So can anyone suggest anything?? she is due to have her teeth done in august and has regular saddle checks from my saddler. I am tempted to try a martingale , and maybe a stronger bit so i am not hanging on to her when shes strong (for things like fun rides and jumping) but i don't want to over bit her or relay on gadgets and mask the problem!! but i need some control....
Any ideas?
 
Probably worth trying a running martingale.

My light-mouthed but excitable cob hunted very well in a Happy Mouth with a Kineton noseband
 
My traddie cob was supposed to be "snaffle mouthed" but was a bleddi nightmare when he went hunting in this, totally no brakes at all, useless!

I tried a French Link Rugby Pelham. You will need another headpiece with this bit, and preferably someone to show you the correct fit. And ideally ride with two reins to it (which you should with this bit anyway!). I find this works well for mine, you can get him into a nice rounded shape and it stops him putting his head up and flattening out.

I don't use a martingale.

Just a suggestion, but there's a lady called Carol Cobbett (think that's how you spell her name) she's on FB and is called the "Bit Fit" lady, I don't know what area you're in but understand she travels all over the country and has an excellent reputation for finding bitting solutions. Might be worth giving her a try??
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
My traddie cob was supposed to be "snaffle mouthed" but was a bleddi nightmare when he went hunting in this, totally no brakes at all, useless!

I tried a French Link Rugby Pelham. You will need another headpiece with this bit, and preferably someone to show you the correct fit. And ideally ride with two reins to it (which you should with this bit anyway!). I find this works well for mine, you can get him into a nice rounded shape and it stops him putting his head up and flattening out.

I don't use a martingale.

Just a suggestion, but there's a lady called Carol Cobbett (think that's how you spell her name) she's on FB and is called the "Bit Fit" lady, I don't know what area you're in but understand she travels all over the country and has an excellent reputation for finding bitting solutions. Might be worth giving her a try??
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Thank you - i shall take a look!
 
Nothing wrong with keeping her in her usual bit for her usual work: play around with different mouthpiece/action for the exciting stuff. Once you find something that works well I would add a correctly fitted running martingale for the belt and braces approach
 
Firstly, I'm not an expert so could be wrong but, if it was me I'd want to be schooling to work on brakes.

I'd also want to try a sheepskin noseband cover (she'll have to put her head down to see over it) and work quietly over trot poles in the school in walk first and getting her to approach with care and feel she has time to look down. I think you should start the habit of walking a line of poles then stop and pat before moving on. Repeat the stop & pat after every line of poles or jump.

You may still need a martingale or different bit but I'd like to give her the choice to put her head down and look at a jump first. I think I'd discuss with an instructor before adding a martingale.
 
zzClaire said:
Firstly, I'm not an expert so could be wrong but, if it was me I'd want to be schooling to work on brakes.

I think I'd discuss with an instructor before adding a martingale.
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You can school to your hearts content, but some horses simply get strong in more 'exciting' situations. And a stronger bit is helpful.
 
zzClaire said:
Firstly, I'm not an expert so could be wrong but, if it was me I'd want to be schooling to work on brakes.

I'd also want to try a sheepskin noseband cover (she'll have to put her head down to see over it) and work quietly over trot poles in the school in walk first and getting her to approach with care and feel she has time to look down. I think you should start the habit of walking a line of poles then stop and pat before moving on. Repeat the stop & pat after every line of poles or jump.

You may still need a martingale or different bit but I'd like to give her the choice to put her head down and look at a jump first. I think I'd discuss with an instructor before adding a martingale.
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She's really good when shes on her own or in none exciting situations like schooling or hacking out alone, she is lovely to canter in an open space no pulling etc or throwing her head, just very forward, its just jumping or with another horse she gets strong!
But yes i will try the poles for the schooling sessions :)
 
Transitions, transitions, and more transitions.
This is a lack of manners and she is only really good when she's on her own because she has not decided she wants to tank off. Every day do 10 walk-halt, 10 trot-walk, and 10 canter trot on each rein. Make sure she softens into the downward transition (i.e. you don't have to pull her slower) and that you always give the same aids (even when not in the school). If she doesn't show improvement in a few days then discuss with your instructor. Do this out on hacks too, then when she is quite responsive (some weeks) get a friend to ride with you and practise having your horse behind and in front. Must be a patient friend though, as she will need to wait while you do LOTS of circles and transitions as soon as (and every time) your horse starts to pull.
When jumping, jump from a trot until you are sure she is responsive to your aids (and not just going steady because she wants to on that day). Use circling to steady her (rather than pulling on the reins) and don't jump in company until you know you have control (if you are out on a ride and she starts to rush then you will just have to skip the jumps and school instead).
Also put a martingale on (i use a standing for schooling over lower jumps in this situation) and discuss a stronger bit with your instructor for 'special occasions' but remember that it is unlikely to fix the problem long term and many horses just get stronger and stronger.
It is very common to see horses pulling like mad across country and leaping and plunging when asked to slow down, or tucking their heads into their chests (to try to avoid the pain) and tanking anyway. Up to you whether you school her out of it (excellent long term option but takes a lot of patience and time) or 'bit her up' (short term option which may or may not help long term) but it is never safe to jump out of control so i would do one or the other before you jump her again :)
 
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