Wonder bit!!!

M

Mbronze

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Is there some kind of miraculous bit out there, that will prevent my horse from leaning on my hands!!
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She doesn't do it often but when she does it feels like a ton at the end of the rein, she is very soft in her mouth and a bit 'sensitive' i currently have her in a loose ring snaffle.

Any ideas would be most welcome!!
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You are going to hate me for saying this but the only way to stop a horse from leaning on your hands is to not give the horse anything to lean on! I have just cured my 17 hand warmblood of this problem which he delveoped last year after some time off - it has taken hours of schooling but we have finally cracked it
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I would actually get numb arms and hands from him hanging on to me - to the point where it was painful! I corrected it by actually shaking the rein at him (a more extreme viabration) to prevent him from taking hold and not giving him anything to lean on - if you keep changing the contact they can't take a hold. Don't forget to use huge amounts of leg. When they let go you can then become soft & still in your hand again. I now have my dressage horse back with him working in to a lovely, soft & consistent contact - YAY!
 
Amymay - Didn't think of Waterfords, are they harsh?

Panda2007 - I know what you mean, i shouldn't give her anything to lean on, but physchologically (spelling!) when they lean i take the rein and give her a really good half halt to say 'no dont do that' and she eventually does become round and soft. She is only just coming back into work so maybe its just a WB thing!!
 
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Amymay - Didn't think of Waterfords, are they harsh?

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No I wouldn't say so at all. It's given me a set of brakes in conjunction with a flash and has helped with my horse leaning.
 
Instead of using the rein to half halt, viabrate it so she can't lean on it and use your seat and squeeze with your knees to half halt... It will make a huge difference! When a warmblood leans, they REALLY lean and it isn't fun.
 
I am so glad I read this post. I am having exactly the same problem with my 5yo ID x WB mare. She is very unbalanced and only backed about six months ago. She carries her head very low anyway and leans on the bit almost ALL of the time. After schooling my arms are about to fall off and I am exhausted, it also takes all of my effort to not perch forward, so my back (any every other part of me) aches after riding her. She also does it to a lesser degree out hacking too. I know she is just balancing on me and we are working on the balance, but it will obviously take time and I dont want her to think its ok to lean on me. A friend recommended a Waterford and now I have read this I am definately going to give it a go. Ive tried the half halts, hand shaking, a couple of quick, sharp upward movements with hands, more leg, give and retake and none of it is doing that much to improve it. I think its become a bit of habit now, so maybe a different feel in her mouth, might encourage her to be softer! Worth a try.
 
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