Myhorseeatsmoney
Well-Known Member
I am extremely lucky with my young horse. He is a 4 year old Irish Sports with a very willing temperament. I had no intention of buying a youngster but he is the best behaved horse I have ever ridden without being a plod.
When I bought him he was ridden in a full cheek snaffle but lately has started to lower his head and then shake his head up and down but he is not snatching the reins. So I changed his bit to a fixed cheek snaffle that had thinner bars but also a flat lozenge and he is so much happier. But whilst out on a hack yesterday towards the end he started again pulling his head up and down but I don't believe it is caused by an allergy.
I have had his teeth done, back checked, saddle fitted etc etc.
We do lots of transitions and bending around the leg exercises and I am ensuring that he is working forward off my leg before I even ask him to work in an outline for a few minutes. I am slowly increasing the time I am asking him to work this way and I also let him have time to stretch out.
My trainer will be back to work in a couple of weeks time so will be able to help me then but I don't want this problem to become worse in the mean time. Any suggestions please?
When I bought him he was ridden in a full cheek snaffle but lately has started to lower his head and then shake his head up and down but he is not snatching the reins. So I changed his bit to a fixed cheek snaffle that had thinner bars but also a flat lozenge and he is so much happier. But whilst out on a hack yesterday towards the end he started again pulling his head up and down but I don't believe it is caused by an allergy.
I have had his teeth done, back checked, saddle fitted etc etc.
We do lots of transitions and bending around the leg exercises and I am ensuring that he is working forward off my leg before I even ask him to work in an outline for a few minutes. I am slowly increasing the time I am asking him to work this way and I also let him have time to stretch out.
My trainer will be back to work in a couple of weeks time so will be able to help me then but I don't want this problem to become worse in the mean time. Any suggestions please?