Using a english hackamore

[Laura-Maybe-IV]

Hi there, my 21 TB mare I think is slowly starting to loose her teeth and i think it might be causing her some pain so much so that she vertically reared with me yesterday when I asked her to stop jogging and bucking/rearing. I do not remove her back teeth by the way as she is a very sensitive horse, normally this horse hacks out with me holding the buckle so this is out of character for her. She also doesn't like being bridled up within the past week and doesn't like me doing the flash strap up - I use a grackle at the moment, she is also evading going on the bit and snatching the reins out of my hands constantly.
She does sometimes have tantrums like all TB's do which she occasionally does "bunny hop rears" as I call them but the rear she put in yesterday was like high ho silver!! I did stay on her, but got off after as she wasn't listening to my aids, even after letting her trot a while she was still persisting with the rearing/bucking.
I'm going to get the EDT as soon as possible to see what the problem is as I don't like seeing her in pain she has had mouth ulcers before but never has reacted like this.
However with her age in mind I am looking at converting her to bitless, how do you do this? I had a previous horse in a hackamore that went very well, this pony used to be in a full pelham with two reins and rode beautifully in a hackamore.
Maybe is currently ridden in an eggbutt snaffle, but I also use a wilke and used to have her in a 4 ring gag as she was so difficult but we have both come to a agreement on snaffle bits. She has previously been ridden in a myler combination and apparently went well of nose pressure rather than mouth. She doesn't need much to stop her but i'm curious as to how you convert from bit to bitless. Thanks

 

[putasocinit]

When did the dentist last see her, maybe she has some caps or her teeth are sharp, they really need to be done, this would be first port of call if it was mine.

Mouth ulcers will be from sharp teeth run your finger along the outside of her teeth between her teeth and her cheek, hold her tongue to do this she won't take your hand off.

 

[Laura-Maybe-IV]

Yep I am getting her teeth done this tuesday, managed to get hold of an EDT, she had her teeth done less than 10 months ago, it is something that I keep on top off. Before she came to me her previous owners hadn't had her done for 4 years!!!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I suggest you first have it properly fitted.

Then Either have lessons or just ride her in the school basic turn and circles, gradually progressing.

They need to get used to the pressure on the nose , which some find it strange and can through head up or resist till they are used to it.

 

[pistolpete]

I changed to a hackamore for tooth reasons too. Led my horse around in his for a while and only walked first few hacks to let him get used to it. He is very good in it now apart from trying to eat the hedgerows a bit more!

 

[gunnergundog]

I would discuss with your EDT whether you need to put your horse on 6 monthly checks........as they get older, sadly, this is often the case in order to keep them comfortable.