Tongue over bit in double bridle...

[Loupride]

Like the title says really, rode P in a field for the first time last night. There were a few working hunter fences up so I decided to put the double on and see how he went. He was super to start off with, went fab on the flat but then came the fences

I know he hasn't jumped outside since last year so he was bound to be excited. He jumped really well but then he started to get his tongue over the bit and just fly off, in the double bridle

When he doesnt this he overbends and just tucks his head into his chest, if I play around with the snaffle ring he will eventually return to normal but is there any way of preventing this in the first place???

 

[AmyMay]

Sounds as if the bits are too low in his mouth.

 

[Loupride]

I dont think so to be honest, it was fitted correctly and I even checked with instructor (Im a bit of a fanatic about it because there is so much metal

) but its worth a try, I'll check again.

 

[the watcher]

sounds like he is evading in any way he can, probably through excitement or nerves. I would start a bit smaller over something he is happy and calm about jumping, but stick with the double riding with as light a hand as you can, until he settles

 

[FMM]

You may want to try pulling up the bradoon in the mouth a little higher (you will get a slightly smiley horse effect) and either keeping the weymouth in the same place or dropping it a hole. This will usually stop the tongue coming over. However, only look at this as a short term remedy and try to find out what the real problem is.

 

[Loupride]

I dont think the height of the fences was the issue, the biggest was probaly only 90cms but you could be right in the fact that the situation as a whole was just a bit too exciting for him! First the field, then the jumps then cantering in the field

I might just take him back in at the weekend as do some quiet schooling and see how that goes?
Thanks for your advice

 

[Loupride]

Thanks FMM - I will try this at the weekend, as I said its not normal for him, he has shown for years now and it was just yesterday when he did it, I just thought God I have no control!!! Not the sort of thing I want to happen in the ring

Will give it a try so!

Someone needs to tell him he is 16 not 6

 

[FMM]

It's no fun when it happens as you suddenly have no brakes OR steering (as was evident at Newbury last year when Bob did just that to me in the championship ...) And he was 17 when he did it! They definitely get worse as they get older and work out better ways of evasion.

 

[Loupride]

Good to know its not just me who has an older horse that gets more clever every day

People always come up and say Oh, he is so well behaved where as deep down I know he is only quiet because he is thinking about his next grand plan to have some fun

But that's why you have to love them- you cant beat a bit of character