Suggestions - horse evading contact

[Mrs G]

Horse is 8yr old TB, naturally lazy and can be opinionated. I have always struggled getting him to work into a consistent contact. Tried different bits and nose bands, improves for a short time then he finds new evasions, most recent is crossing his jaw and lolling his tongue out! In the school he will feel lovely, soft and round, relaxed floppy ears, forward going, responsive, then you catch sight of his face and he is gurning with his tongue flopping out. RI is on hols at mo, what do I do when he does this? Tried giving the rein completely, tried raising my hands, lowering them, transitions, lateral moves, even saying 'Oi'! Like I say, he feels softest and most forward going when he's doing it! Current bit is Neue Schule eggbut lozenge, teeth checked recently and no probs although dentist did say he has a loose jaw joint which means he can cross jaw easily!

 

[JillA]

Bitless?

 

[Mrs G]

Where would I start with a bitless bridle? I know nothing about them other than different types work in different ways, putting pressure in different places, but that's it! What might be the best one to start with? The other prob is there not comp legal for some disciplines (daft rule I think but heyho!) which would limit us. Could be worth a try though, it would prove if it's a mouth/bit issue I guess?

 

[nato]

What noseband is he in? My mare loves to cross her jaw - I have her in a grackle that closes above her cheekbones, and it definitely improves our situation. Not sure what way your horse is setup due to his loose jaw joint, the dentist may recommend against it, but that's what I've been recommended.

Have you lunged him to see if it's the same? I'd lunge him with a roller and same bridle with a cavesson over, and something to simulate contact (I use a Pessoah, but it's each to their own so I'm not going to advise on that) - just to see if it's a ridden issue or if he's like that all the time? If you can narrow it down to just being ridden you're looking at saddle fit or rider issue then.

Hope that helps!

 

[JillA]

You could begin with a dually, just as an interim measure, to establish whether it is the bit itself that is the problem, and it would then come in as a headcollar. Otherwise teach him with in hand work to relax his jaw and respond to what the bit is asking of him, maybe he never did learn it properly. The release is hugely important when he has got it right.

 

[Mrs G]

Some things to try and consider, many thanks - I need to do something, out hacking today he was doing it again - in walk on a long rein, was faffing about so much with his mouth that he didn't notice the group of walkers coming towards him and leapt in the air when he finally saw them, gave us all a fright! X

 

[oldie48]

My horse is very busy in his mouth and I'm trialling a NS turtle top bit at the moment There is a very definite improvement. Why not phone one of the bit hire companies and discuss with them the issues that you are having and see if they an recommend anything that you can trial?

 

[nato]

I know you said his teeth were done, but how long ago? Does he foam at the mouth at all? Is he headshaking?

How is he on the ground - have you tried flexing him both ways without the bit in his mouth, or stretching out his legs to see if there's a resistance on either side?

My mare gets super fussy and lockjaw-ish through her mouth when her teeth need doing, and this in turn affects her muscles on that side and her overall way of going.

 

[catembi]

My horse never took a proper contact & his teeth were always done regularly by one of the better known EDTs. Then I happened to have the vet do them as it was a cost-effective part of a yearly healthcheck package & lo & behold, there was a wolf tooth in the way of the bit. It was removed under sedation, & it made a huge improvement to the amount of contact he would take & his steadiness in the hand. The horse also went from a plastic mullen mouth snaffle to a metal french link. With his mouth more comfy, he now prefers the double jointed mouth piece.

T x