(Why) is this bridling wrong?

A lot of that will come from good old fashioned ground work, do you have a arena?
Start there sheets, balloons, people making sudden noises etc.

I used to do so much with my horses before they hit a road, revving cars up on yard, honking horns etc.. getting people to ride bikes around them etc.

I see loads of people riding and the horse is bending to the side it's looking at the spooky thing, but I'd bend the other way out my leg on and say it's ok concentrate on me and go forwards still.

Not look snort over think then rush past...
 
jhoward said:
A lot of that will come from good old fashioned ground work, do you have a arena?
Start there sheets, balloons, people making sudden noises etc.

I used to do so much with my horses before they hit a road, revving cars up on yard, honking horns etc.. getting people to ride bikes around them etc.

I see loads of people riding and the horse is bending to the side it's looking at the spooky thing, but I'd bend the other way out my leg on and say it's ok concentrate on me and go forwards still.

Not look snort over think then rush past...
Click to expand...
I do unfortunately not have an arena, but do those things out in the woods/small roads. He doesn't try to run from me when I lead him.

I borrow my mother and have her run around, suddenly come up behind and jump and generally act like an unpredictable clown. I want him to realise that he can be scared and not run away, which he is starting to learn. Especially things from behind, as that's where I am when I'm riding him.

Still, he is not generally spooky so this is just to work on the running away issue we have. He will probably benefit from more time under saddle.
 
It's not about scaring him, it is about exposing him to everything the world that may make him react, somewhere your not hitting the spot so to speak,
He sounds like a good horse that has a reaction to something that makes him run,
It could be pain, it could be a leaf but he has a reason for his behaviour doesn't he?
 
I second the trial of a Kineton, I have found them very useful for similar situations. I haven't read all posts so apologies if this has been suggested, but have you tried firstly bit'ing down to the most gentle bit he will accept and taking as many bits of leather away from his head as possible? It sounds a little nerve racking to begin with but if it isn't a true bolt and just running forward with you I would try this somewhere relatively safe. Also try throwing the reins away the minute you feel him start to surge forward, that has to be split second though so you need to almost preempt the situation rather than react to it if you see what I mean? At the same time give only leg and body aids to settle him back to you.

I had one horse that proved to be ultra sensitive to bit'ing although all avenues of possible pain were checked out, but he was also hopeless in a bitless bridle. I had to teach myself to resist pretty much anything more than a very soft contact and then he rode beautifully, the minute you get slightly frazzled and exerted too much pressure down the rein off he would go. He worked for me but I imagine he would not be everyone's favourite ride.
 
Mrs Jingle said:
I second the trial of a Kineton, I have found them very useful for similar situations. I haven't read all posts so apologies if this has been suggested, but have you tried firstly bit'ing down to the most gentle bit he will accept and taking as many bits of leather away from his head as possible? It sounds a little nerve racking to begin with but if it isn't a true bolt and just running forward with you I would try this somewhere relatively safe. Also try throwing the reins away the minute you feel him start to surge forward, that has to be split second though so you need to almost preempt the situation rather than react to it if you see what I mean? At the same time give only leg and body aids to settle him back to you.

I had one horse that proved to be ultra sensitive to bit'ing although all avenues of possible pain were checked out, but he was also hopeless in a bitless bridle. I had to teach myself to resist pretty much anything more than a very soft contact and then he rode beautifully, the minute you get slightly frazzled and exerted too much pressure down the rein off he would go. He worked for me but I imagine he would not be everyone's favourite ride.
Click to expand...
Thank you.

Yes, I started riding him in a halter and then progressed to a bridle with only the side straps, crown piece, throatlatch and browband, in a snaffle. He hasn't taken off from anything more than light contact, he reacts unexpectedly at small things and really doesn't give much preparation. He then seem surprised when I'm still on (he's never done anything I would consider difficult to sit through, but it seems like his breeder wasn't as stable). He's also fine with me mounting him completely without tack in the paddock and even walking a few steps.
 
Have bought a Kineton noseband now, so will hope the horse accepts that when I get it. I'd never heard of them before and it was quite a challenge to find one to buy, don't think they're common here. I do however like the idea, including that it won't change the placement of the bit.
 
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