Which bit?

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dexnem

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First of all, apologies for posting yet again however I need to get this one sorted soon! I am taking my sec d to adult pony camp in august and last year we went on a hack, which although a lovely idea, was not overly lovely for myself! Putting it in one image, at 14hh, he managed to overtake an exracer who'd not long been off the track. This was not intended, and neither was the rearing which he never ever does. As a one time fix I'm in need of a bit that will give me a little extra control over my current 3 ring bit, I'll do my best to sandwich him in again but he also kicked out at another horse which, again, he's never done before. I will only use it for this ride, I don't want to miss it as it gets rid of his boundless energy a little :(
 
What is he doing, Is he pushing his nose out and tanking off, or is it head between the knees and going? Really need a bit more info on what he is actually doing before anyone can give you any reccomendations.
 
He is just going as normal but can't stop at all. No head between knees etc, but I couldn't keep a consistent contact or he'd rear. More just sets himself against the bit and doesn't respond at all
 
You could use a 3 ring gag still but change the mouth piece to a Waterford - that way he won't be able to take hold and tank as the mouth piece is a chain. Is he opening his mouth when he does this? May be worth putting a grackle nose band on as well if so as this will prevent this.
 
dexnem said:
He is just going as normal but can't stop at all. No head between knees etc, but I couldn't keep a consistent contact or he'd rear. More just sets himself against the bit and doesn't respond at all
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This sounds more like he is just so excited and sensitive with it that no matter what you have him in he will rear with contact. I wouldn't be inclined to use a stronger bit maybe a different mouth piece but I don't think it will make that much difference. Can't you drop him to trot and do a few circles if he starts getting to excited and feeling like he's going to rear? Also pull him away and round until he stops rather than getting in a 'tug of war' with him?
 
ljohnsonsj said:
This sounds more like he is just so excited and sensitive with it that no matter what you have him in he will rear with contact. I wouldn't be inclined to use a stronger bit maybe a different mouth piece but I don't think it will make that much difference. Can't you drop him to trot and do a few circles if he starts getting to excited and feeling like he's going to rear? Also pull him away and round until he stops rather than getting in a 'tug of war' with him?
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Agree with this. Also, make sure that when you ask him to come back you do actually release the pressure once you've asked, so you don't end up pulling constantly - the quick way to knackered arms and a horse who's ignoring you!
 
So he's only hacked once with you? Or once since last year?

You need to hack him out more frequently and on a loose rein so you are both relaxed and (the horse especially) doesn't feel trapped. You need to think about it from his point of view really.

He's anxious and doesn't know where he's going. What's the worst thing you could do? Trap him between other horses so he feels pent up and claustrophobic, and then hold on to his mouth so he has no where to go but up. He's already in a 3-ring; I would be very reluctant to put him in something even stronger if I were you.
 
I hack him out very regularly, its just with the camp then its similar to a hunt! I have the option of doing a walk trot ride but I think he'd still get overexcited then. Grr! I'm thinking perhaps a flash with his normal bit and see if that helps when hacking normally, I don't know how else to test it :/ thanks everyone!
 
I guess there's more horses on the ride than he is used to?? TBH I don't think a different/stronger bit is the answer as once he gets flooded with adrenaline it won't make much difference. Many horses light up in this situation, you might try taking him on some fun rides to get him a bit more used to being with other horses or you might have a nocer time on the quieter walk trot ride.
dexnem said:
I hack him out very regularly, its just with the camp then its similar to a hunt! I have the option of doing a walk trot ride but I think he'd still get overexcited then. Grr! I'm thinking perhaps a flash with his normal bit and see if that helps when hacking normally, I don't know how else to test it :/ thanks everyone!
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dexnem said:
He is just going as normal but can't stop at all. No head between knees etc, but I couldn't keep a consistent contact or he'd rear. More just sets himself against the bit and doesn't respond at all
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Sounds very similar to my 14.2 Irish pony! She usually has a Hilary Vernon Mullen but I have changed to a Hillary Vernon dalehead for fast work in company and jumping and I now have perfect control! She was the exact same last year when I did adult camp at Eland and we did a group hack! She ended up overtaking everyone so that she was up front with a big 16.2!
 
Schooling schooling and a bit more schooling, in a school, out on hacks alone and in company until you feel you have him listening to your aids alone and in company...
 
For some horses it's just too exciting. My little TB was a complete sweetheart until you had a canter in company then the little racehorse in him popped up and he'd pull my arms out until he was in the lead. I could have schooled him for the next 20 years and he wouldn't have changed, but it's still worth trying!
Micky said:
Schooling schooling and a bit more schooling, in a school, out on hacks alone and in company until you feel you have him listening to your aids alone and in company...
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The other alternative ( we used to do this with excitable tb's) find a steepish hill ( if at all poss) and canter /gallop up, walk down, and repeat, with company, eventually ( not on the same day but over a week say) you will be able ( should be able) to walk, or trot or canter, whatever you want up the hill, with the other horses doing whichever gait without your horse tanking, its about the horse listening to you...
 
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