Will a Grackle help with control?

[Morrigan_Lady]

Ive put this in Comp riders aswell...

Took my mare xc schooling yesterday and she was VERY excited to say the least! She used to be an eventer before I had her to sjow jump and I get the feeling she missed the xc part!!
Anywho, my lack of control concerns me and I do some times have this problem show jumping aswell.
She locks onto fences and basically charges at them, this doesnt really bother me, but it does affect my stearing some what!
Shes in a snaffle and always has been and Im not too keen on changing that, so I wondered if a grackle noseband may help? Or any other suggestions are very welcome

 

[hellybelly6]

As steering is a problem, I suggest a full cheek snaffle.

A grackle is excellent for horses who cross their jaws and open their mouths. You are right to keep her in a snaffle if you can.

I would recommend going back to basics with her and doing trotting poles and grid work, this will teach her to think where her feet are and to think about slowing down and concentrating. If you do not feel confident doing this on her yourself, get an experienced and trusted friend or instructor on her or lunge her, but without encouraging her to whizz round if you can.

It is great that she is so enthusiastic about her jumping, you need to make use of this, but teach her how to do it appropriately.

I would also consider having her hocks checked by a vet as hock pain could be involved.

So try her in a linked, full cheek bit with a grackle and grid work. Also have her hocks checked too in case this is a pain response. If her hocks are fine, she is keen on her jumping and enjoy!

 

[jcberry]

i would try the grackle, i recently put one in mine just for xc and found it alot better and he wasnt pulling like a train as he used to, i had alot more control into the fences and afterwards rather than hoping for the best!
maybe have a play around with bits aswell

 

[suzysparkle]

Yes they do. I put one on mine for jumping and XC without changing his bit and I find a big difference. You don't often see people going XC without a dropped noseband of some sort.