WHAT TO DO?

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kombikids

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Hi

I have just come back from a lesson with a good jumper instructor who i havent had before - i rode my horse in a hackamore as she headshakes badly in anything bitted.(bit of a saga on here) He has advised me to put her back in a bit and lunge her hard with tight side reins on to force her to take the bit. Am a bit upset as was really happy to get her going nicely at last - even if its in a hackamore, just wanted to know has anyone tried this and does it work - he said that she will fight the side reins for a while and then give in is that right as she never stopped shaking her head with me when i was riding her even after 3 months of schooling.... Has also advised if that doesnt work to think about selling her, not sure i want to do that!
 
If she's happy in the hackamore why change? as long as you have control in it, it doesnt matter. If the new instructor wont take this I would suggest you find a new intructor. Some horses just have sensitive mouths
 
Interesting advice!

I wouldn't! Bits are not essential unless you see yourself doing dressage and if your horse is happier without then I guess it is trying to tell you something.
 
And precicely how long has this trainer known/ridden/lived with this horse.... exactly!

You know your horse, and this is a strangers advice, so go with your gut feeling.

Attempting to force a horse in to accepting discomfort is a non starter, you will sour up its attitude to work and it will probably get its revenge on you at a later date.

There is nothing wrong with a hackamore. You can ride a horse 'on the bit' with a hackamore and in outline... only realdifference between a bit and a hackamore is that they act on a different set of nerves.

Get yourself a different trainer who will work with your horse, not against it.
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what a muppet! agree with all the above posts particularly as you get plenty variation in hackamores and bitless bridles you could stop a train in some of them. lunging with tight side reins indeed, i suppose they will pay your vet bill when it casts itself upside down to avoid the pressure.
 
Is this the horse that was in a bad way and you have done lots of work on ??
You should go with your gut feeling - you know the horse best.
If it was me, I would keep the horse, bin the instructor
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Find a new instructor
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Tight side reins have a similar effect to rollkur in that they produce incorrect muscles through the neck, make swallowing extremely difficult, limit the horses' vision so that it can only see its own feet and can, in the extreme, make breathing difficult.

Whats worse, the way they will make the bit sit, particularly if they are tight, wont make it a pleasant experience for the horse at all and if you DID want to go down the road of helping her to accept the bit; showing her pain with it wouldnt be the way.

Honestly, change instructor. This person has (presumably) seen your horse for one hour and has very little idea about either of you.
 
thanks guys - i know that if i was reading a post i would say the same thing! i guess he hasnt seen her in a bit so doesnt realise how violent the headshaking is. I dont like forcing horses to do stuff, dont think it works.She has got some issues but is turning into bit of a sweetie - she took me round my first sj course for 15 years clear. I think he was worried as she does everything at 150 miles an hour but i dont think the bit is the way to go.And yes i wish i could ride a schoolmaster - its probably better for my standard of riding but my mare is what i have so i am going to make the best job of it. Anyone know any good instructors herts way?!
 
I agree with what others have said, tight side reins will not benefit any horse least of all one that is sensitive and not accepting the contact, follow your own advice. . . Not all instructors give great advice unforunately,but keep looking and you will find one that suits you and your horse. Good luck.
 
Completely agree with everyone else - and the suggestion to sell when you've got her going nicely is ridiculous - the whole 'my instructor says' thing REALLY annoys me (sorry not directed at you, just in general). I know instructors are obviously good to go to for advice, but 'the instructors found me a perfect pony...' or 'flog this one - it's ****' drives me crazy. If the horse suits you, you're both happy and safe then b****r the instructor! (get a new one!) - Sorry rant over!
 
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