What's the next step ?

[tubby1]

Hi , I'm looking for some advice , I have a generally lovely cob cross mare. When I bought her she was really on the forehand & wore kimblewick bit. She was bought because I had lost my confidence. She has been great & we had been getting on great she was beginning to work in an outline & I'm using a loose ring snaffle with her. She has been off work for a few weeks due to having some hock pain ,then Xmas etc. now that she is back in work I feel like she constantly wants to tank off with me. She isn't getting much turnout but that doesn't usually bother her. She s fed adlib hay & a scoop of happy hoof .My question is should I change her bit ( I dont want to go back to the kimblewick ) Any ideas what I shoud use.
Or shoud I be looking else where to sort it. My confidence is knocked again but not because of her . It's always dips if I don't ride regularly.
Thans in advance

 

[touchstone]

If the turnout issue can't be resolved then I think there are a few things you can try with her, loose schooling or lungeing if her hocks are okay with it (and it might be worth checking that her hocks aren't causing her to shoot off, although I suspect it's just exuberance) before you ride.

I'd also make sure that she is working properly and listening to you when you do ride and lessons might help with this.

Another thing I'd probably try to boost your confidence is popping her in a pelham with double reins; you can ride off the snaffle rein and only use the curb rein when needed, it is a nice bit for most cobs,especially the thinner mullen mouth ones and I ride regularly in one

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I have a bombproof but strong mare who can also be on the forehand, although she has improved since I got her (she had been owned by a novice previously). She came to me in a Dutch gag which I didn't like for her. I ride her in a NS Universal with 2 reins. Most of the time I ride her on the snaffle rein but if she needs it I can bring the curb rein into play, which works well.

 

[AdorableAlice]

If the turnout issue can't be resolved then I think there are a few things you can try with her, loose schooling or lungeing if her hocks are okay with it (and it might be worth checking that her hocks aren't causing her to shoot off, although I suspect it's just exuberance) before you ride.

I'd also make sure that she is working properly and listening to you when you do ride and lessons might help with this.

Another thing I'd probably try to boost your confidence is popping her in a pelham with double reins; you can ride off the snaffle rein and only use the curb rein when needed, it is a nice bit for most cobs,especially the thinner mullen mouth ones and I ride regularly in one

I second the pelham comments. I have a young heavyweight maxi cob who is built uphill and has a lovely mouth, however she can get on her head and she also has a habit of inverting. Most of the time I ride her in a nathe mullen mouth, but for hacking she wears a pelham (straight), lip strap and chain. She rarely needs reminding to carry herself but if she does the curb does the job nicely. Always remember to ride from your seat/leg to your hand.